Direct Energy Launches First Bundled Connected Home, Energy Offer Featuring Hive Brand

Direct Energy has launched its first connected home bundle featuring products from Hive, the connected home brand initially launched by its parent Centrica in the United Kingdom

As exclusively reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com in August, Centrica will launch its, "entire suite of Connected Home products," in the United States around the end of the year, including its own smart thermostat. Under the Hive brand, Centrica's Connected Home services in the U.K. includes a hub allowing customers to control various Hive products or non-Hive appliances via an app on their phone, including Hive LED smart lightbulbs, Hive door and window sensors, Hive motion sensors, a Hive smart thermostat, and a Hive active plug which allows non-Hive appliances to be controlled via the app.

Currently, Direct Energy is offering residential customers in Texas and several of its Northeast markets a plan bundling electricity or natural gas with a Hive Active Light Starter Pack, which includes a Hive Hub

Specifically, Direct Energy's Smart & Bright Plan includes a Hive Active Light Starter Pack, which includes the Hive Hub plus two Hive Active Light bulbs (A19), at no additional cost (a $79.99 value).

The Hive Active Light is a smart light bulb that can be dimmed from a strong, bright light to a soft, subtle light when needed. Using the Hive app or website dashboard, customers can set schedules and dimming levels for the Hive Active Light from their mobile device, tablet or laptop.

In the Oncor service area, Direct is offering the Smart & Bright Plan as a 24-month fixed rate, with an average all-in rate (at 1,000 kWh) of 9.7¢/kWh, reflecting an Energy Charge of 5.0¢/kWh, a base charge of $4.95/month, and TDU charges of $5.25/month and 3.69¢/kWh

In the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric service area, Direct is offering the Smart & Bright Plan as a 24-month fixed rate, with an average all-in rate (at 1,000 kWh) of 10.5¢/kWh, reflecting an Energy Charge of 5.4¢/kWh, a base charge of $4.95/month, and TDU charges of $5.47/month and 4.051¢/kWh

In the PECO service area, Direct's Smart & Bright Plan is a 24-month fixed rate with a price of 9.090¢/kWh

In the PPL service area, Direct's Smart & Bright Plan is a 24-month fixed rate with a price of 8.990¢/kWh

At Consolidated Edison, Direct's Smart & Bright Plan is a 24-month fixed rate with a price of 9.690¢/kWh

At Commonwealth Edison, Direct's Smart & Bright Plan is a 24-month fixed rate with a price of 8.590¢/kWh

At Columbia Gas of Ohio, Direct's Smart & Bright Plan is a 24-month fixed rate with a price of 63.900¢/ccf

The product may include an early termination fee which varies by state. For the Texas service areas listed above, the early termination fee is $135. For the Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York service areas listed above, the early termination fee is $99. There is no early termination fee at ComEd.

Direct Energy is offering the Smart & Bright Plan in numerous additional Northeast markets and service areas, including, but not limited to, in Ohio, Massachusetts and Delaware