How do you encourage guests to be mindful of energy usage?

[Elisa]

 

Hello everyone and have a great week! 😊

Reading through your posts in the community, I’ve noticed that managing electricity use is a common challenge for many of you.

Some guests might not be fully aware, which could unintentionally result in extra energy use.

Clear communication seems to go a long way, and tools like smart thermostats have also been mentioned as helpful solutions.

I’m sure there are plenty of other creative, guest-friendly ways to approach this. How do you encourage guests to be more mindful of their energy use during their stay?

I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts!

Warmly,
Elisa 🌻

[Mike3314]

Our biggest issue is the AC…it still amazes me how low people will set it as soon as they get there.  So we added a smart thermostat that will re-set to 70 if they lower it more than that.  Hasn’t been a issue with any quests.

[Elisa]

Hi @Mike3314 😊, 

Thank you for sharing this here!

Does this thermostat also help you manage the heat?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Mike3323]

You can't. PERIOD. People are going to do what they do, so the upper-crust part of AirBnB hosting folks have lots of resources, but the lower to mid-market are just hoping to have good denizens. It doesn't have to be that way. For example, in my Costa Rica place, I installed a big new split aircon. It is mindful of movement, much like the NEST in the USA. If there are no movements, it turns off. My electrical bill in Guanacaste for an 800 sq. ft. place was $240 last year. This year = $100. 

[Mike3323]

Per month.

[Elisa]

Hi @Mike3323 😊, 

Thank you for sharing your approach here!

How did you get the idea? You got a wonderful result 😍
Did another host suggest it to you?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Selina192]

Hey @Mike3323 ! Where did you find this? I have a house in Guanacaste too and I’ve been looking for a solution to people over using the AC. 
also how much did it cost to install this?

[Peakpulse0]

Hello!

Wishing you a productive and positive week ahead as well.

As a property manager who’s overseen a variety of short-term rentals over the past five years, I can definitely relate to the concerns around energy use. It’s something that tends to come up more often than expected.

In my experience, two things make a big difference:

Setting expectations early – Including a short note in the welcome guide or digital house manual reminding guests to turn off lights and AC/heating when not in use. Framing it as a sustainability effort usually helps.

Smart tech – Properties using smart thermostats and motion sensors have seen noticeable improvements in usage control, especially in off-peak hours.

At the end of the day, it’s about balancing comfort and consciousness. I’d love to hear what strategies have worked for others as well!

[Elisa]

Hi @Peakpulse0 😊,

It’s lovely to read you here as well, thank you for sharing this.

Have you ever received any negative feedback from a guest about the short note you include in the welcome guide?

Warm regards 🌻,

[Peakpulse0]

Hi @Elisa,

Thank you so much always a pleasure to connect with like-minded hosts!

To your question: No, I haven’t received any negative feedback about the short note in the welcome guide. In fact, I’ve found that when the tone is friendly and clear, most guests really appreciate the transparency and thoughtfulness. It helps set expectations early and adds a personal touch that guests remember.

Warm regards.