Summary

  • Tado, a company that makes smart thermostats, radiator valves and heat pump controllers, is reportedly planning to charge customers a monthly fee to use its app, marking the first time a smart thermostat company has attempted to implement such a charge.
  • Users in several countries received messages alerting them to the impending fee, which the company said was a result of increased costs.
  • The charge will not apply to those using Amazon Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home to control systems.
  • The company has since issued a statement describing the notification as a marketing test, with full app access to be retained for those users affected.
  • If introduced, the charge could incentivise users to seek out competitors’ products that are free to use.
  • It could also backfire by increasing subscription fees for other services and features that help save on energy costs.

By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

Original Article