Do you use smart home technology? How has it helped?

[Elisa]

 

Hello everyone 😊,
I hope you’re having a great week!

What do you think about smart home technology? It can be a great ally in saving time, simplifying the management of your listing, and enhancing your guests’ experience during their stay.

Do you use smart home technology? How has it helped?

I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts!

Warm regards,
Elisa 🌻

[Elisa]

Hi @Greystone0 😊, 

I’m glad you appreciate this topic!

I’m curious about those, do you have a picture to share? I’ve never seen this before.

Also, are they difficult to set up, or have you been able to manage it by yourself?

[Evan1118]

I have a electronic door lock that I control with a mobile app and a ring camera.  The electronic door lock has made managing Airbnb a lot easier while I'm at work, and the one I purchased works as described, no tech errors!  It has two key cards (one I add to the bedroom door keys for the guest), allows finger prints, and easy to control with the app.  Way better then a lock box with keys, in my opinion. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Evan1118 😊, 

Thank you for sharing this here!

Has the electronic door lock always worked perfectly, or did you have any problems at the beginning or later on?

[Evan1118]

Good question!

I started out with a budget-friendly electronic lock I bought on Amazon. It seemed like a good deal at the time, but it quickly became a headache. Guests often struggled to enter their codes correctly, and the app used to manage the lock was clunky and unreliable. Watching people stand at the door trying multiple times to get in wasn’t just awkward—it was frustrating for everyone involved.

Entering a home should be seamless, not a test of patience!

Eventually, I gave up on that lock and decided to upgrade. I spent a bit more—around $75 for the new lock, plus $25 for a 5G Wi-Fi extender—and the difference has been night and day. The app is much better designed, guests get in on the first try, and I’m no longer stressed about access issues.

Lesson learned: Don’t buy the cheapest electronic lock. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Evan1118 😊, 

Thank you for letting me know!

Wow, I can imagine how annoying that must have been at the beginning.

Are you thinking about adding more smart home technology, or are you satisfied for now?

[Anika191]

Hi @Elisa 

We do!  We started with just a Ring camera and the Schlage smart lock that integrates with Airbnb.  The lock also integrates with the Ring app.

After the first winter on Airbnb, we added smart Mysa thermostats.  I frankly do not care if the guest wants the heat up to 80°F when they are there (ok, I lied, I do care!)  But when they leave, I want the control to turn the heat down to a reasonable level.  Once last winter, guests left the thermostat at 80 and a window open!  The cleaners came after the guest and did not adjust it.  They must have been ROASTING while they were cleaning! Four days went by before my husband and I entered the unit and discovered it. (We live 2 hours away).  Now, I can see when the guests adjust the thermostat, what each room is set to, the humidity, etc.  Even had guests who turned up the heat past 70 in July!

We also have a Minut, which senses decibels, temperature and humidity, motion, smoking, and possibly a few other things.  It does go off when the guests are 'noisy'.  It's designed to be integrated into Airbnb, but we have not yet paired the two.  

With three smart devices reading the temperature, I think I will be able to tell if a window has been left open.  The Ring camera has shown us guest/neighbor issues we need to react to.  And since we do not have AC, I appreciate knowing the temperature in the unit, in case a guest complains.

[Elisa]

Hi @Anika191 😊, 

That’s so nice to read from you.

What an episode you shared, I can imagine how annoying it must have been!

Was it hard to find the right products for you, or did someone suggest them?

[Anika191]

@Elisa The Ring brand is very common in the US, and we have it at our primary residence, so we naturally gravitated to that brand.

The Schlage lock integrates with Airbnb and was recommended by our co-host.

The Mysa thermostat is one of the few high-voltage thermostats for electric baseboard heat.  We bought one, and our local utility offered the other for $1.

I can't remember how we found the Minut.  I don't know anyone else who has one, so I think that was just Google research and reading reviews.

So far, I'm very happy with the products that we have, and it helps me keep an eye on things without actually being there.

[Elisa]

Hi @Anika191 😊, 

Thank you for letting me know!

I didn’t realize the Ring doorbell was so common in the US.

Are you thinking of adding any other technologies in the near future?