Ideas for HIVE controlled plug

silvercar

Having been given a free HIVE controlled plug (British Gas Rewards, if anyone else wants one), I would be grateful for any ideas on use.

It won't work with the kettle or toaster as the ON button won't stay on if the mains isn't on. I know I could attach a lamp to it, but that is a bit boring.

tempus_fugit

Well, I'm not expecting any excitement, but I could use one for a lamp as at present I use bulbs in the main lights tomcome on automatically while I am away and I'd love to have a plug so that I can set a lamp to do the same. The plugs are hellishly expensive though, even with a discount, so I don't have any as yet.

RumRat

Don't turn the mains to the kettle off....There would be no need if you are using the plug as a control.
Use it for Lamps, fans, heaters, if you are still one of those using a radio in the mornings, turn it on at a set time.
If wife uses curling tongs, straightners or hairdryer....Save that 'Did I switch it off', conversation 20 miles from home, just check on your phone.
Basically, if it plugs in, you can control it.

spadoosh

I got a wifi plug that i named 'yourself'. Now i can say 'alexa to turn yourself off'. I just cant ask her to turn herself back on again. :cool:

Christmas lights and lamps seem to be the main go to for wifi plugs. I think theres a few coffee machines that dont use a switch.

Gloomendoom

I have one controlling my immersion heater.

silvercar

tempus_fugit wrote: »

Well, I'm not expecting any excitement, but I could use one for a lamp as at present I use bulbs in the main lights tomcome on automatically while I am away and I'd love to have a plug so that I can set a lamp to do the same. The plugs are hellishly expensive though, even with a discount, so I don't have any as yet.

This was free, that was why I thought I may as well take up the offer.

arciere

I would use it for my espresso machine to warm up the cups, before I get out of bed.

Takmon

tempus_fugit wrote: »

Well, I'm not expecting any excitement, but I could use one for a lamp as at present I use bulbs in the main lights tomcome on automatically while I am away and I'd love to have a plug so that I can set a lamp to do the same. The plugs are hellishly expensive though, even with a discount, so I don't have any as yet.

I would recommend these ones;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meross-Monitor-Control-Function-Compatible/dp/B07K7D74HF

They are £45.99 (you could get just one and pay £15.99 if you wanted). They have an app, Google Assistant, Alexa, IFTTT support as you expect but they also have energy monitoring built in. So you can see how much power a device is drawing and also a graph showing the power usage over time which is a nice feature for a smart plug at a decent price.

silvercar wrote: »

Having been given a free HIVE controlled plug (British Gas Rewards, if anyone else wants one), I would be grateful for any ideas on use.

It won't work with the kettle or toaster as the ON button won't stay on if the mains isn't on. I know I could attach a lamp to it, but that is a bit boring.

I have one connected to a fan so i can turn it on at night if i'm hot by using Alexa/Google Assistant.
You could also use one to control different lighting in different rooms. I use smart plugs/switches to change between main lighting and back lighting with one voice command.

I think the most interesting thing you can do in a typical home is using multiple smart devices and use a single voice command to complete a series of related actions.

notbritishgas

silvercar wrote: »

Having been given a free HIVE controlled plug (British Gas Rewards, if anyone else wants one), I would be grateful for any ideas on use.

It won't work with the kettle or toaster as the ON button won't stay on if the mains isn't on. I know I could attach a lamp to it, but that is a bit boring.

Same as you I took up the free offer of a plug via BG rewards but have not found a reason to use it yet.
They even emailed me to say they had noticed that I had not connected it to my hub and could they help in any way.