Hive heating system setup in Exeter
Professional hive heating system setup services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Hive heating system connected and working properly. I'll set up the app, create heating schedules, configure radiator valves as zones if you've got them, and show you how to control it all.
Get Your Hive Actually Saving You Money
You bought Hive to save money on heating bills and control things from your phone. Instead, you're heating an empty house because the schedule makes no sense, or the radiator valves you spent £200 on aren't connected to anything.
Classic Hive situation.
💡 Pro tip: Hive saves money through scheduling (heating only when needed) and zones (heating only rooms you're using). But only if you set it up properly. Most people never do, so they've got an expensive thermostat doing the same job as a £15 one.
Proper Setup vs Winging It
| ✅ Set Up Properly | ❌ Basic Install |
|---|---|
| Schedules match your routine | Heating all day or all off |
| Zones heating rooms independently | Whole house same temperature |
| Phone app actually works | "It keeps saying offline" |
| Understanding what settings do | Scared to change anything |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Connect app | Get Hive app working, hub online, thermostat controllable |
| Create schedules | Set heating times for your actual routine |
| Set up valves | Pair radiator valves, create zones, configure separately |
| Add features | Voice control, boost mode, holidays, geofencing |
📦 You're Left With
- Hive app controlling your heating
- Schedules that save money
- Zones working independently if you've got valves
- Knowledge to adjust everything yourself
Pricing Guide
| Scenario | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Thermostat app + basic schedule | 1 hr | £60 |
| Thermostat + radiator valves + zones | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Full system + troubleshooting | 2 hrs | £110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
⚠️ Note: This is app/software setup only. Thermostat wiring needs an electrician. Radiator valve fitting needs a plumber. I do the smart features after the hardware is installed.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ Just had Hive fitted - left to figure out the app yourself
✅ Wrong schedule - heating when out, off when home
✅ Added valves - can't get zones working
✅ Keeps going offline - connection problems
Why Choose Us for Hive heating system setup in Exeter?
Hive app connected and controlling heating
Heating schedules set for your routine
Radiator valves working as zones if you've got them
Voice control with Alexa/Google set up
What to Expect
Step 1: Connect & Check
Make sure Hive app is installed and connected. Check hub is online, thermostat responds, everything talks to each other.
Step 2: Create Schedules
Build heating schedules based on your routine. Different schedules for weekdays and weekends. Set temperatures that save money.
Step 3: Configure Zones & Teach
If you've got radiator valves, set them up as zones with independent schedules. Add voice control if wanted. Show you how to adjust everything.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to try Hive setup yourself? Here's how:
🔧 What you'll need
- Hive thermostat already wired in
- Hive hub plugged in to router
- Smartphone with Hive app
- Your heating routine written down
- Radiator valves paired if you have them
📱 App setup
- Download Hive app
- Create account (or sign in if bought from British Gas)
- Add your hub (scan barcode or enter serial)
- Add thermostat and any valves
- Check app can control heating (manually adjust, hear boiler click)
📅 Creating schedules
Weekday example:
- 6am: 20°C (wake up to warmth)
- 8am: 16°C (left for work)
- 5pm: 20°C (back from work)
- 10pm: 16°C (bedtime)
Weekend example:
- 7am: 19°C (slightly later, slightly cooler)
- 11pm: 16°C (stay up later)
💡 Temperature guide:
- 18-20°C: comfortable living temperature
- 16-17°C: sleeping temperature
- 12-15°C: when house is empty (don't go lower, costs more to reheat)
🏠 Setting up zones
- Install radiator valves on radiators (plumber job)
- Pair valves in Hive app (hold button, add device)
- Name each valve by room
- Create zone schedules (living room warm evenings, bedroom warm mornings)
- Save money by not heating spare rooms
🗣️ Voice control
- Download Hive skill in Alexa app
- Or add Hive in Google Home app
- Link accounts
- Say "Alexa, set heating to 21"
- Say "Hey Google, boost the heating"
🔋 Radiator valve batteries
- Hive valves use 2x AA batteries
- Last about 18 months
- App warns when low
- Replace promptly (valve stays open if batteries die)
⚠️ Common DIY problems
- Hub shows offline - check Ethernet cable, router port working
- Thermostat won't connect - check hub online first, reboot hub
- Valves not responding - check batteries, check paired properly
- Schedule not activating - check time/day set correctly in app
- Geofencing not working - check phone location permissions
💡 Pro trick: Set schedules 30 minutes before you need heat. It takes time to warm up from cold. Better to arrive home to warmth than wait 30 minutes shivering.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Radiator valves worth it? Depends on your house. If you've got rooms you don't use (spare bedrooms, office, dining room), yes - save 20-30% by not heating them. If you use all rooms all the time, probably not worth the £50+ per valve.
Hive vs Nest vs Tado? Hive is reliable and simple. Nest learns your routine (creepy for some people). Tado is most technical but most powerful. For most UK homes, Hive does the job well.
My Hive shows offline constantly. Usually the hub location - WiFi extenders and Hive hubs don't get on. Or router has been replaced. I can diagnose and fix most connection issues in 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What help do people need with Hive?
Usually app setup and schedule configuration. The electrician fitted the thermostat, but left you to figure out the app. Or you've added radiator valves but can't get them working as zones. I'll get everything connected, create sensible schedules, set up zones if you've got valves, and show you how to use it all.
I've got a Hive thermostat - can you add radiator valves to it?
Yes - I can pair new valves to your existing Hive system and set them up as heating zones. The physical valve fitting needs a plumber (draining radiators, replacing valve heads), but once they're fitted, I'll get them working in the app.
Can you help if my Hive keeps going offline?
Usually yes - that's often WiFi issues, hub placement, or firmware updates needed. I'll diagnose what's causing dropouts and get it stable. Sometimes it's your router, sometimes it's the Hive hub location.
Will you show me how to use the app properly?
Absolutely - most people use about 10% of what Hive can do. I'll show you schedules, boost, holidays, zones, and the features that save money. Not the gimmicky stuff you'll never use.
How long does Hive setup take?
Just thermostat and app - about an hour. Adding radiator valves and zones - up to 1.5 hours. Troubleshooting connection issues can take longer depending on what's wrong.
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