Hive Thermostat Review: Can it Elevate Your Home's Comfort and Efficiency?
Smart technology has revolutionised the way we control and manage our homes, and when it comes to smart heating systems, Hive has been a prominent player in the field since 2013. The Hive Thermostat, previously known as Hive Active Heating 2, made its debut in 2015 and has remained at the forefront of the brand's smart home offerings. In this review, we'll explore what makes Hive heating plus Thermostat a compelling choice for homeowners looking to enhance their home's intelligence and efficiency.
Hive Thermostat Overview
The Hive Thermostat is a sleek and user-friendly smart heating solution designed to make your home not only smarter but more energy-efficient. It offers the convenience of remotely controlling your heating system and can even be expanded with optional radiator valves for room-by-room temperature control. Additionally, Hive provides the Hive Heating Plus service, offering insights into your energy consumption and 24/7 monitoring to address any heating issues promptly.
Key Features
Pros:
- Stylish Design: The Hive Thermostat boasts an elegant and contemporary design that seamlessly blends into your home's decor.
- Room-by-Room Control: With optional radiator valves, you can heat only the rooms you're using, saving energy and optimizing comfort.
- Voice Integration: Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, the Hive Thermostat offers convenient voice control.
- Easy installation: Out of all of the smart thermostats, Hive offers on of the most plug and play installs out of all them! Most heating engineers will be happy to get stuck in installing one of these!
Cons:
- Zonal Control Cost: Expanding the system with radiator valves can be pricey.
- Subscription Requirement: Some features, like monitoring and insights, require a subscription.
- Hub Dependency: The Hive Thermostat relies on the Hive Hub for internet access, which might be an inconvenience for some users.
Design and Installation
The Hive Thermostat not only excels in functionality but also in aesthetics. Its physical dial allows you to effortlessly adjust the temperature, and the device can be wall-mounted or used freestanding with an optional stand. Installation is made easy, and Hive even offers professional installation services for those less inclined to DIY. Basically, I wouldn't install this if you are DIYer! My personal opinion is they should not mention self install at all.
Performance and Control
The Hive Thermostat impresses with its user-friendly interface. You can set heating schedules using the Hive app or control it manually through the thermostat itself. While it lacks geolocation features found in some competitors, it offers a quick-fix boost button for on-the-fly adjustments.
The Hive App
The Hive app complements the system's ease of use, allowing you to manage your heating effortlessly. However, it may require some patience when setting up schedules. Hive Heating Plus subscribers can access valuable data through the app, including spending limits and system monitoring.
Integration with Voice Assistants
One of the standout features of the Hive Thermostat is its compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri through HomeKit. This means you can control your heating system using voice commands, enhancing your smart home experience.
Should You Choose the Hive Thermostat?
Buy it if:
- You want to start your smart heating journey gradually.
- You seek an all-in-one smart home solution, including lighting, plugs, and security cameras.
- You already have a Hive hub, which can reduce the thermostat's cost significantly.
So is Hive worth it? Don't buy if you're
- You're looking for budget-friendly zonal control.
- Motion sensing is a priority for your heating system.
- You desire precise temperature control for each room.
In conclusion, the Hive Thermostat offers a stylish and efficient way to make your home smarter. It's intuitive design, expandability, and compatibility with voice assistants make it a compelling choice for those looking to enhance their home's comfort and energy efficiency. While it may not have all the features of some competitors, its value for money and ease of use make it a strong contender in the smart heating market.
Now lets delve into the subscription offer: Hive Heating Plus
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Saves You Money: Hive Heating Plus helps cut down your heating bills. It adjusts your heating to be more efficient, so you're not spending extra on energy you don't need.
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Reduces Energy Waste: The service provides insights into your energy usage, showing you where you might be using more than necessary. This helps you reduce energy waste.
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Carbon Footprint Tracking: It includes a feature to show how your heating choices are helping the environment, translating your energy savings into real-world impacts like fewer car journeys.
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Budget Management: You can set a monthly heating budget, and Hive Heating Plus will help you stick to it, offering suggestions and monitoring your usage.
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Extended Warranty and Discounts: As a subscriber, you get an extended warranty on your Hive products and a 10% discount on Hive purchases.
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Advanced Features: Hive Heating Plus offers additional features over the standard Hive thermostat, like detailed heating history, personalized budgeting, and energy-saving tips.
In short, Hive Heating Plus is about saving money, reducing energy waste, and giving you more control and perks for your Hive heating system.
FAQ: Hive Heating Plus and Hive Thermostat
1. Is the Hive Heating Plus subscription necessary to use the Hive Thermostat? While the Hive Thermostat functions without the Hive Heating Plus subscription, subscribing offers additional features like detailed energy consumption insights and proactive system monitoring.
2. Can I install the Hive Thermostat myself, or do I need a professional? It's 100% advised to use a pro. You can find out more here
3. How does Hive's room-by-room control work? Room-by-room control is achieved through the use of optional radiator valves. These valves allow you to set different temperatures for each room, leading to more efficient energy use and personalised comfort.
4. Does the Hive Thermostat work with all types of boilers? The Hive Thermostat is compatible with most common heating systems, including gas, LPG, and electric boilers. However, it's always best to check compatibility with your specific system before purchasing.
5. Can the Hive Thermostat control hot water? Yes, the Hive Thermostat can control your hot water if you have a separate hot water tank. It doesn't work with combination boilers that heat water on demand, in terms of hot water control.
6. What are the main differences between Hive Heating Plus and the standard Hive service? Hive Heating Plus offers enhanced features like detailed energy usage insights, spending limits, and proactive monitoring of your heating system, which are not available with the standard service.
7. How does the Hive Thermostat integrate with other smart home devices? Hive Thermostat integrates seamlessly with other Hive products and is compatible with major voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, allowing for a cohesive smart home experience.
8. What is the warranty period for the Hive Thermostat? The Hive Thermostat typically comes with a standard warranty. The length and terms of the warranty can vary, so it's advisable to check the specific details at the time of purchase.
9. Can I use the Hive Thermostat in multiple properties? Yes, you can use the Hive Thermostat in multiple properties. Each property will require its own thermostat and hub, and you can control them all from the same Hive account.
10. Is there a trial period for the Hive Heating Plus subscription? This can vary, so it's best to check the current offers. Sometimes, promotional periods offer a trial to experience the enhanced features before committing to a subscription.
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