Consumer Charity Gives New British Gas Hive Active Heating 2 Control Top Marks for Inclusive

Consumer Charity Gives New British Gas Hive Active Heating 2 Control Top Marks for Inclusive

Consumer charity gives new British Gas’ Hive Active Heating 2 control top marks for inclusive design

Press release, 27 July 2015

The new Hive Active Heating 2 smart thermostat is a ‘game changer’, says specialist research charity Rica. As part of the product’s design process, British Gas worked with Rica to independently test Hive Active Heating 2 and its full range of new heating controls with older and disabled consumers.

Rica is delighted that the interactive heating control’s design incorporates many suggestions made by their consumer testing panel, including improved colour contrast on the display.

Eric Harris, Rica Senior Researcher, says: ‘Hive Active Heating 2 is a game changer for central heating controls. The new designs have embraced recommendations from Rica’s testing panel of older and disabled consumers. These small changes will have a big impact on ease of use for all customers, including older and disabled consumers.’

About Hive Active Heating™

Hive Active Heating™ is the first product from Hive, a British Gas innovation – the brand focused on delivering products and services that help people have more control over their homes. Hive Active Heating™ lets people control their heating and hot water via their mobile, tablet and laptop.

Only Hive Active Heating™ comes with installation included by a British Gas engineer. It’s available to buy at hivehome.com, britishgas.co.uk, Amazon, John Lewis, Maplin, Very, Littlewoods, Argos, Apple stores and selected Currys/PC World stores.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to have Hive Active Heating™, it works no matter who supplies your energy.

For more information:

  • Hive website
  • Hive Media
  • British Gas press release
  • Rica's commissioned consumer research

Rica is a consumer research organisation that specialises in work with older and disabled people. We have two unique Consumer Research Panels totalling over 600 people. Members have a range of disabilities and are from all age groups. They assist Rica’s research by testing a range of products and services.

Rica has tested the ease of use of a wide range of central heating controls, as well as smart meter in-home displays (IHDs) – all with older and disabled consumers.

For more information contact: Eric Harris: |Caroline Jacobs: Tel: 020 7427 2460

ENDS

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