Wondering how to use Hive thermostat without hub? Well, then, this guide is just for you!
The Hive central heating system typically consists of three devices– a Hive thermostat, a Hive receiver, and a Hive hub.
But when you don’t have the Hive subscription and the Hive hub, you may wonder how to set up the thermostat with the receiver without one, and this guide covers it!
To use a Hive thermostat without a Hive hub, restart your boiler from the isolation switch and put your receiver into a “Standalone” mode. The next step is to factory reset the Hive thermostat, disconnect the Hive Hub (if any), and pair the thermostat to the Hive receiver.
Let’s continue to unwrap!
Can You Use Hive Without Hub?
Yes, it’s entirely possible to use your Hive thermostat without a Hive hub, but you still need the Hive receiver though.
However, without the Hive hub, the thermostat will function offline in the so-called “Standalone” mode.
The Hive thermostat and Hive receiver can pair and work successfully in a Standalone Mode, and you’ll be able to control all the thermostat features locally.
- This means that all the Hive app functionalities and remote control features will not be accessible without Hive Hub.
Luckily, we’ve made the process simple in a short step-by-step guide, so let’s jump straight in!
How to Use Hive Thermostat Without Hub?
Tip: Follow the steps in chronological order!
1. Installing Your Hive Receiver!
If you haven’t set up your Hive receiver yet, then you first have to set up the device since, even without a hub, the Hive receiver plays a vital role.
The receiver is best suited in a convenient spot in close proximity to the boiler and the central heating system.
It’s crucial to make sure that the receiver is at least 3 feet away from any metallic objects, such as the boiler or the hot water cylinder.
When you find a suitable place, install the Hive receiver:
- Lose the underside screws on the receiver.
- Take out the backplate by pulling the bottom.
- Fixate the unit to the wall using the terminals.
- Run the wiring from the boiler as per the unit.
- Test whether the boiler is working normally.
When your Hive receiver is set up, it’s time to make sure that the wiring from the boiler is correct and that the faceplate of the receiver is installed.
When you don’t have a hub in the system, this is everything you must do to set up your Hive receiver.
2. Disconnecting Your Hive Hub
If you have a Hive hub connected to the WiFi router, now would be the best time to disconnect the service cable and the power supply.
can remove the Hive hub from your Hive heating system, and you will be ready to perform the Standalone setup.
Note: If there is no Hive Hub, skip this step!
3. Flip the Boiler Isolation Switch
The next step is to flip the isolation switch on the boiler to turn OFF the heating system for about 60 seconds and then turn the system back ON.
Then press and hold the Central Heating Button on the receiver until the state LED indicator flashes pink.
The pink colour indication means that the receiver is now in “Standalone” mode and is looking for a thermostat in a “Standalone” mode to connect with.
Warning: Do not press any buttons on the receiver when you see the pink flashing light!
4. Reset & Pair Your Thermostat
If your Hive thermostat is brand new and hasn’t been set up with the Hive hub before, you don’t need to factory reset the device.
However, if you’ve had a Hive hub paired with the system until now, you must reset the thermostat, which will unpair the device from the app and permanently erase all settings and configurations.
Here’s how to factory reset your Hive thermostat in easy steps:
- First, verify that the Hive thermostat is working.
- Then, press and hold the “Menu” + “Back” buttons.
- Hold both the buttons until the countdown finishes.
- Release the buttons whenever you see “Welcome.”
- Select a language for your Hive thermostat device.
- You should see “Pairing,” so be patient until done.
- Press the “Back” button multiple times to go black.
When the factory reset process ends, your Hive thermostat can connect with a standalone Hive receiver.
Your receiver should show a solid green light, meaning that the Hive thermostat is now paired and connected in a Standalone mode.
Reminder: Without a Hive hub, the remote control from the Hive app will not be accessible!
5. Test Standalone Hive Thermostat
When you’re ready with the standalone pairing, you must test whether the thermostat is working by rotating the circular button and selecting a target temperature.
If the central heating system and boiler turn on and work, the standalone thermostat and Hive receiver are working correctly.
However, if you’re experiencing other difficulties with the Hive thermostat or receiver or the pairing was incomplete, repeat the instructions from step 1.
How to Set Up Hive Thermostat Without Hub?
When your Hive thermostat and Hive receiver are not connected to a Hub, you must know how to control the central heating system from the thermostat locally.
So, we’re going through the settings of the menus of the thermostat for better orientation on how to use a standalone setup.
Tip: To cycle through the settings, rotate the “Dial” button, and to select, press the button!
Hive Thermostat Settings
When you enter the Hive thermostat’s settings, you will see the “Frost Protection” and “Child’s Lock” settings.
To enter the section and adjust the settings, use the dial button to highlight the settings you would like to enter and press.
Frost Protection
The “Frost Protection” feature on a Hive thermostat is designed to turn the heat automatically when the temperature drops below a pre-set value.
For example, when you set the temperature to 7°C, the thermostat will automatically start heating to prevent the pipes from being frozen.
Tip: You can adjust the temperature by the dial and set it up per your preferences!
Children’s Lock
The “Child’s Lock” feature is designed to protect the thermostat from unintended actions and prevent the little ones from interacting with the device.
When you enter the option, you will be prompted to press the “Back” and “Tick” buttons for 3 seconds to enable the protection feature.
Hive Thermostat Holiday
The “Holiday” feature on your Hive thermostat can be accessed by pressing the “Home” button on the unit and entering the “Holiday” tab.
The feature is designed to keep the heating in your home intact when you’re away for a more extended period of time.
The setting provides an option for setting the start date and end date of the holiday so you can enjoy your free days with peace of mind.
Hive Thermostat Heat
The “Heat” tab in the menu of the Hive thermostat is probably the most frequently visited tab since it contains the heating options and their schedule.
- So press the “Home” button on the Hive thermostat and use the “Dial” button to highlight and enter the “Heat” thermostat section.
Then, here are the options you’ve got available:
Heat Schedule
When you enter the “Schedule” tab on your Hive thermostat, you will be able to select between “Resume,” “View/Edit Current”, and “Start Over.”
The options allow you to resume a premade schedule, edit the current schedule, or create a new one.
Heat Manual
The “Manual” option within the heat settings of the Hive thermostat provides the opportunity to manually increase and set the desired heat.
When you enter the “Manual” section, rotate the “Dial” button to set the preferred temperature and press the “Tick” button to lock the selection.
Heat OFF
This option allows an entirely manual interaction with the heating system, respectively ON and OFF, so you can control the heat anytime.
To select, you must press the “Tick” button, and you will see that the heating will go OFF or ON (at the top right), respectively, as per your selection.
Quick Recap:
How to use Hive thermostat without hub? Well, it’s very easy to pair the Hive receiver to the Hive thermostat in a “Standalone” mode.
To achieve this, restart the boiler from the isolation switch, put the receiver in a standalone mode, and pair your Hive thermostat.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.