Hive 'smart' thermostat has a dumb moment, sets homes to 32C

by Parm Mann on 1 March 2016, 11:05

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qacy2d

Add to My Vault: x

HEXUS readers don't appear to be too enamoured by smart home gadgets, and who can blame them, when a simple bug can result in your home being sent soaring to 32ºC?

That's what some owners of Hive smart thermostats have been experiencing. The web-connected gizmo, created by British Gas, is one of many smart heating systems that provides the ability to "control your home, from your phone."

Sounds useful, and it indeed can be, but a number of customers have this week vented their frustration in seeing thermostats being dialled-up to 32ºC - the maximum permitted - without the user's consent.

The problem is said to have first materialised late last year, but a Hive spokesperson has stated that "it has taken us a while to get to the bottom of the glitch because it occurs so rarely."

Reports suggest that customers were initially led to believe that the overheating phenomenon could have been caused by a hack, but Hive has since admitted that a software bug is to blame.

"We are aware of a temporary glitch affecting a very small number of customers, where a certain sequence of commands in the Hive iOS app can cause the thermostat temperature to rise to 32 degrees," said the company in a statement.

"Any customers seeing this can very easily and immediately fix it by simply turning the thermostat down using the app, web dashboard or the thermostat itself. Meanwhile, we are working on a software update which should be available soon."



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
Gas companies REJOICE!
What next, ‘smart’ light switches created by an electricity company that turn your lights on all day?
Meanwhile in South Africa, I'm sitting here thinking: Hmm, it's colder than usual today. (It's currently 31 grades Celcius)
A bug caused it?
Sure someone at the firm wasn't thinking “we need a quick boost for this months profits, RELEASE THE UPDATES!”
so since they admited it, means you can sue them for damages?