Hive thermostat

FrankRizzo

If you decide to get rid of your hive, then I shall buy both the Hive thermostat and receiver off you.

Thanks

b33r

The person who left your house did the right thing taking the hub with them as it is that bit that is tied to their account. If you want the full hive system (i.e. control it on your phone) you will need to ring Hive and purchase a hub (or keep an eye out for any deals on the hub or hub and lighting kits from any retailer)

Without the hub the system should still work in dumb mode (i.e. you can control it with just the thermostat) but you are likely having reception problems because when the hub was there it will have been acting as part of the zigbee network to boost the reception between the receiver (attached to the boiler) and the thermostat. The thermostat is battery powered though so you could just move it closer to the boiler (but don't put it near any radiators) and this will solve the connection issue.

Hive are pretty good phone support though, ring them and they will help.

You don't need a monthly subscription to have hive. The monthly subscription gives you an ongoing warranty, discounts on other products and some exclusive hive live features (non of which I think are worth the money)

Zither

b33r wrote: »

The person who left your house did the right thing taking the hub with them as it is that bit that is tied to their account. If you want the full hive system (i.e. control it on your phone) you will need to ring Hive and purchase a hub (or keep an eye out for any deals on the hub or hub and lighting kits from any retailer)

Without the hub the system should still work in dumb mode (i.e. you can control it with just the thermostat) but you are likely having reception problems because when the hub was there it will have been acting as part of the zigbee network to boost the reception between the receiver (attached to the boiler) and the thermostat. The thermostat is battery powered though so you could just move it closer to the boiler (but don't put it near any radiators) and this will solve the connection issue.

Hive are pretty good phone support though, ring them and they will help.

You don't need a monthly subscription to have hive. The monthly subscription gives you an ongoing warranty, discounts on other products and some exclusive hive live features (non of which I think are worth the money)

Thanks for the explanation. Being honest I think Hive is a massive rip off - especially the lights/plugs. I just don’t see how they can justify £30ish for a wireless plug. I suppose £40 for a hub is better than having to pay to get a new thermostat wired in tho. That said I noticed on British Gas website earlier that they are selling the new style thermostat for £75. Do you know if the new thermostat would work with my existing receiver??

Oh also do I need to pay the subscription to use the app on my phone? I’ve no idea about all this

Thanks!

Gloomendoom

Zither wrote: »

Oh also do I need to pay the subscription to use the app on my phone? I’ve no idea about all this !

No, you don't.

b33r

Zither wrote: »

Thanks for the explanation. Being honest I think Hive is a massive rip off - especially the lights/plugs. I just don’t see how they can justify £30ish for a wireless plug. I suppose £40 for a hub is better than having to pay to get a new thermostat wired in tho. That said I noticed on British Gas website earlier that they are selling the new style thermostat for £75. Do you know if the new thermostat would work with my existing receiver??

Oh also do I need to pay the subscription to use the app on my phone? I’ve no idea about all this

Thanks!

No don't need a subscription for the app.

Yes newer thermostat would work but if u bought the hub to enable control from your phone you'll probably find u never even use the thermostat (we don't) so it's then a waste of money. The newer stat looks a bit nicer but it doesn't add any functionality.

We've got 3 hive lights, haven't paid more than a tenner a bulb which isn't much more than a regular LED bulb, they appear on special offers every now again.

Are u with British gas for your energy? (You don't have to be) but only reason I mention it is they currently have an offer in the British gas rewards for a free hive hub and bulb for some customers.

Lizabeth21

Got our free hub and two bulbs from BG on Saturday. They can be timed to come on and go off at different times each day - very useful when on holiday or just away from home. Not bothered about the thermostat options. But considering the package was free and can be used with Alexa .... thumbs up from me,

Gloomendoom

b33r wrote: »

Yes newer thermostat would work but if u bought the hub to enable control from your phone you'll probably find u never even use the thermostat (we don't) so it's then a waste of money.

I suppose that depends on how phone centred you are. It's a lot easier for me to adjust the thermostat than go and find my phone.

The newer stat looks a lot nicer but it doesn't add any functionality.

Fixed it for you.

Zither

b33r wrote: »

No don't need a subscription for the app.

Yes newer thermostat would work but if u bought the hub to enable control from your phone you'll probably find u never even use the thermostat (we don't) so it's then a waste of money. The newer stat looks a bit nicer but it doesn't add any functionality.

We've got 3 hive lights, haven't paid more than a tenner a bulb which isn't much more than a regular LED bulb, they appear on special offers every now again.

Are u with British gas for your energy? (You don't have to be) but only reason I mention it is they currently have an offer in the British gas rewards for a free hive hub and bulb for some customers.

Thanks - not on BG, but presumed because HIve is a BG product I’d need to pay a monthly subscription to use phone app/connect to home away from home. Good point on the thermostat - looks load nicer but as phone never leaves my pocket you’re probably right - why spend money on the new thermostat - also I didn’t realise that I could pick up a second hand Hive hub on eBay so that’s something too. Maybe this hive thing won’t be as bad as I thought after all...

The bulb offers are good so that’s good but darn... £20-30 RRP for wireless bulbs and plugs just seems crazy...! I think I’m turning into my parents...

Zither

malky39 wrote: »

Are you sure you have the hive. There is a room thermostat that BG use that looks very similar to the hive, uses the same receiver at the boiler but does not require hub.
If it is the hive if should work without a hub. The construction of the building and distance between the receiver and controls can affect the connection just like wifi. If thats the issue getting a hub could improve the connect if it is between the controls and receiver

Hiya - yes am sure have Hive thanks the thermostat says Hive on it. I’m surprised, overall, that a thermostat would struggle to connect with the boiler receiver. Appreciate points about thermostat needing hub to work properly but I just about remember wireless thermostats back in the 1990s so surprised they struggle these days with all the modern tech around!

silvercar

missile wrote: »

I use Hive and love the feature to turn off heating when I leave and on so that house is toasty when I return after holiday.

Just did the same. Watched (from the app) the temperature in the house drop down to 11 degrees. Set the heating to come on 4 hours before we arrived home and came home to a toasty 20 degrees. Saved loads by having the heating set at frost setting for the 2 weeks we were away!