Direct Energy Launches Energy Offers Bundled With Own Brand (Hive) Smart Thermostat In Texas, Five Other States

Direct Energy has begun offering retail electricity and natural gas plans in six states bundled with a Hive Active Thermostat, the connected home brand of its parent Centrica

Under the new Connect to Comfort 24 Plans, Direct Energy customers receive a 24-month subscription to the Hive Heating & Cooling Plan with the Hive Active Thermostat, a smart thermostat which allows users to control the thermostat via their smartphone. A monthly subscription fee of $12.99 would otherwise apply for the Hive Heating & Cooling Plan, but is waived during the 24-month term of the Connect to Comfort 24 Plan

Initially this offer will be available in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, and western Pennsylvania.

In the Oncor service area in Texas, Direct Energy's Connect to Comfort 24 Plan is a 24-motnh fixed rate that has an average all-in fixed rate at 1,000 kWh of 9.3¢/kWh, reflecting an Energy Charge of 5.0¢ per kWh, a Base Charge of $4.95, and Oncor delivery charges of $5.25 per month and 3.286¢ per kWh. A $295 early termination fee applies

In the Duquesne Light service area in Pennsylvania, Direct Energy's Connect to Comfort 24 Plan has a rate of 10.190¢/kWh fixed for 24 months. A $150 device recovery fee applies for early termination.

At Dominion East Ohio, Direct Energy's Connect to Comfort 24 Plan has a rate of $5.39 per MCF fixed for 24 months. A $150 device recovery fee applies for early termination.

Connected Home is a key area for growth for parent company Centrica plc, with a £500m investment to take the Hive brand global. Centrica has 500,000 customers in the UK on a Hive product, more than half of customers using their Hive Active Thermostat at least once daily in the winter and 75 percent of customers having recommended it, Direct Energy said.

As previously reported, Direct Energy last year began offering a bundle with the Hive Active Light Starter Pack, which includes a Hive Hub (allowing customers to control various Hive products or non-Hive appliances via an app on their phone), plus two Hive Active Light LED bulbs

"We are proud to be the first to offer the Hive connected home experience to our customers to give them more insights, choices and control than ever before," said Manu Asthana, President of Direct Energy Home. "We want our energy customers to be able to control their energy use from the palm of their hand whenever and wherever they want."

See an image of the Hive smart thermostat below: