Hive

Hive, home and energy technology in the UK

Hive is a home technology and energy management brand operating in the UK under Centrica Hive Limited, with its registered office at Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5GD. The company presents itself as one of the country's leading brands in home energy efficiency solutions and claims to have two million customers.

Product and service catalogue

Hive's offering is built around four main areas: smart heating, home automation, solar energy and electric mobility. The catalogue includes smart thermostats, among them the Thermostat Mini and the Hive Thermostat, as well as air source heat pumps, solar panels with battery, EV chargers, low-energy lighting and plugs, and other connected home accessories.

The company also sells services associated with these products, such as installation by a British Gas engineer and the sale of surplus solar energy to the grid.

The Hive app and home management

All devices are managed from the Hive app, which centralises control of heating, hot water, lighting, EV charging and solar energy. The app allows you to customise the dashboard, check energy use in real time and set up automated Quick Actions, such as turning off the lights when you leave a room or turning down the radiators when you open a window.

Hive+, the subscription programme

Hive+ is the company's membership programme, which according to its data has more than 120,000 members. It includes advanced budgeting and bill tracking tools, exclusive discounts, extended warranties and access to the brand's most advanced heating technology.

Promotions and support available at the time of the analysis

The site showed a winter-ready campaign with 15% off smart home and heating technology, and 50% off annual Hive+ membership, valid until 5 October. For existing Hive+ members, the promotion included 15% off eligible thermostats and accessories, excluding solar, EV chargers and air source heat pumps.

The company also highlighted a government grant of up to £7,500 for the installation of air source heat pumps, available to homeowners in England and Wales through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and in Scotland through the Home Energy Scotland programme. It also promoted Power+ mode for EV chargers, which according to its calculations reduces charging costs by 25% for customers with a British Gas electricity tariff and a smart meter in credit mode.

Ecosystem and compatibility

Hive maintains a programme of third-party devices compatible with its ecosystem, under the name Works With Hive, which brings together partner products that work with the platform. The company also has an Installer Club aimed at professional installers.

Customer reviews

The site collects more than 30,000 user reviews. Testimonials highlight the ease of use of the app, remote control of heating and hot water, integration with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and its usefulness for managing the home during absences.

Location and contact

Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5GD