managing hot water / energy systems for guests

[Soumya24]

Hi hosts,

I’d love to hear how others are managing hot water systems with rising energy costs.

We have a timed hot water setup due to the boiler system in our home. It currently heats at 6am, 3pm and 6pm.

Most of the time hot water remains available throughout the day, but depending on usage it can occasionally become lukewarm or cool.

This isn’t usually an issue, but it can affect very early departures (e.g. guests leaving at 3–4am), where the water may not be fully hot. I communicate this in our guidebook and during check-in so guests are aware, and I’m always happy to boost the system when possible.

Upgrading the system is something we’ll consider long-term, but it’s not immediately viable due to cost.

I’m curious how other hosts are managing similar situations:
• Do you use timed heating schedules?
• Do guests tend to understand if expectations are clear?
• Any practical ways you’ve balanced guest comfort with energy costs?

Would really value hearing how others are navigating this, especially with fuel prices where they are. 

Soumya 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Soumya24 we always provided timed thermostatically controlled heating with a comment that we would change the settings if the guest requested (we had remote access). For water though we provided it hot 24/7. 

Its difficult depending on your costs of heating (we were biomass so akin to gas in price) and I can only suggest you try to estimate the additional cost of 24/7 hot water and compare this to the price per night. If a small percentage then provide 24/7 hot water.

[Soumya24]

Thank you Mike .. I’m going to take your advice on board and try adjusting the nightly rates. We live in the country side and rely on fuel which gets tricky. Heating is on 24/7 , hot water will significantly consume energy. 

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Soumya24 

We provide 24/7 hot water because limiting it to certain hours simply doesn’t work for short-term rentals. Guests arrive at different times  some late at night, some very early in the morning and they expect basic comforts to be available whenever they need them. Restricting hot water to specific hours would likely lead to frustration and negative reviews.

[Soumya24]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 

[Veruska6]

@Veruska6 @Soumya24 Buonasera, il mio sistema di riscaldamento ha un autonomia nelle stanze che regolo a 20,5°C però ciò che succede spesso è che l'ospite non rispettando le leggi che impongono il mantenimento max. cominciano a toccare loro e innalzano anche a 28°C causando dispersione inutile di energia e consumi a mio discapito. Per quello che riguarda l'impianto dell'acqua c'è un boiler da 200 litri .

Riescono a finire pure quello e quindi per esigenze di risparmio ho fatto mettere una valvola  by passa nell'impianto a gas poichè ce la fanno anche a finire il serbatoio dato che la maggioranza della gente non ha scrupoli e soprattutto non è rispettosa dell'economia e dell'ambiente .

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@Veruska6  @Soumya24  Good evening, my heating system has an autonomous setting in the rooms, which I set at 20.5°C, but what often happens is that guests, not respecting the laws imposing the maximum maintenance, start touching them and even raise the temperature to 28°C, causing unnecessary waste of energy and consumption to my detriment. As for the water system, there is a 200-liter boiler.

They even manage to finish that and so to save money I had a by-pass valve installed in the gas system since they also manage to finish the tank given that the majority of people are unscrupulous and above all are not respectful of the economy and the environment.

[Google translation added by OCM]

[Frances3408 · Accepted solution]

@Soumya24  . Although I'm an OZ host, consistent hot water is important to guests and a deal breaker no matter what you put in your Guestbook imo.

Having to heat water three times a day will get very expensive. I have a similar sized listing and we have a 50L storage tank which is not timed (no off peak tariff available anyway). But we have no bath and that was a deliberate choice to keep running cost down.

When we upgraded the wiring we put in safety switches so that the large energy appliances could be individually switched on or off (think a/c, oven, hot water, lights). So when not in use for extended periods I will switch off one or more or everything. 

When booked, the price reflects expected usage will be on the heavy side (multiple showers per day due to swimming/outdoor activities). We have separate water and power meter so I can monitor.

Hope this helps.