Hive gadgets cease to function as smart home products are discontinued.
British Gas’s Hive has begun disabling its customers’ security cameras following the discontinuation of numerous smart home devices.
The leading smart home tech provider informed a portion of its two million customers last year that it had made the challenging decision to discontinue eight of its products, including digital security cameras and smartphone-linked burglar alarms.
This development leads Hive to abandon its home security sector, pivoting instead towards providing sustainable devices such as heat pumps and electric car chargers.
Consequently, customers who invested in Hive’s home security systems are faced with installed devices in their homes becoming obsolete, sometimes only a few years post-purchase.
The company, a subsidiary of Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, this week disconnected users of its Hive Camera and Nano 1 Hub, a device that connects smart home devices to WiFi.
Hive proclaimed it has ambitious plans to enhance home energy efficiency and lower operating costs, stating that the discontinuation of the smart home products would enable them to concentrate on developing tech that would bring us closer to achieving net zero.
Nonetheless, the company failed to provide detailed explanations about how this move benefits the environment when queried, leaving some customers perplexed.
Brian Smith, a retiree from Wadhurst whose two Hive Cameras were rendered obsolete on Tuesday, expressed his frustration, questioning the energy or resources these cameras consumed that necessitated their withdrawal to attain net zero.
Having owned these cameras for four years, he voiced his confusion over why discontinuation was needed, stating he would be more satisfied if he were provided with a more believable explanation for the discontinuation.
He further stated that he had anticipated the cameras to function for at least another two years, providing him the capability to monitor his home’s exterior and interior remotely. This brought him a sense of security as they acted as a deterrent to possible break-ins.
The website of Hive points out that the camera model employed by Mr. Smith does not qualify for a replacement, despite the product only having been discontinued in 2019.
Other offerings, like the HomeShield burglar alarm, Hive View indoor and outdoor cameras, and the Boiler IQ WiFi system which notifies suppliers upon a boiler malfunction, will stay active until their discontinuation in August 2025. The Leak Sensor from the company, a device that checks water pipes for leakage, will go offline in the following month.
Hive expressed its interest in maintaining the siren and remote features of its HomeShield active, however, it cannot provide a conclusive answer to customers regarding this.
British Gas has shown support for smart homes through its collaboration with Hive, promoting it as a method for consumers to combat climate change. The supplier’s website assures that smart plug sockets, lights, energy meters, and thermostats are not only beneficial for the environment but also financially advantageous.
These devices usually offer consumers enhanced control over their energy usage and can be integrated with mobile phones and Amazon’s Alexa smart speaker.
Martyn James, a consumer rights advocate, stated that under the Consumer Rights Act, goods should last a “reasonable amount of time.” He advised customers to seek a refund, or a partial refund, under the grounds of contract frustration if they feel they have not received their money’s worth.
A Hive representative said: “We have ambitious plans at Hive to make Britain’s homes more eco-friendly. Thus, we took the difficult decision to phase out some products, including security cameras, and concentrate on developing more intelligent home technology to move us closer to net zero.
“When we decided this in 2022, we agreed that the majority of indoor and outdoor cameras would receive support for another three years, ending on August 1 2025. A small number have not been supported…however, these products have not been on the market since 2019 and 2016 respectively.”
He also noted: “Our focus on achieving net zero centers on home energy management, utilizing our smart home technology to provide our customers with insights on their home’s energy efficiency and connect new devices like air source heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, and home batteries to the Hive platform.”
