pool heater fee

[Lisa10111]

hey friends! we are about to install a pool

heater but wondering if most hosts charge an extra fee?

[Andrea6232]

Buongiorno @Lisa10111 ,

I have a hot tub in my house in Venice (Italy), which is in operation all year round, and I do not charge an extra fee, but my prices do take into account the costs associated with the hot tub 😉

Andrea

[Quincy]

Hi @Andrea6232 

Do you keep the hot tub warm at all times or your guests have to request for it to be heated?

[Andrea6232]

Ciao @Quincy ,

I keep the tub warm all the time and my guests just have to uncover it and get in 😀

Andrea

[Quincy]

@Andrea6232 Must be nice to check in and pop right in to relax after a long flight!

Do you find that the hot tub is a big selling point for your listing and that most guests use it to justify the cost of keeping it constantly warm?

[Andrea6232]

@Quincy

the hot tub not only allows you to relax after a long trip but in Venice, since you walk a lot (when I go there I walk 15-20 km a day), it is perfect for relaxing tired legs!

It is especially guests who come from the USA who appreciate the hot tub, perhaps because it is more widespread there than in other countries 😉

And yes, for these guests is a big selling point.

Consider that in Venice mine is probably the only house with an external hot tub, this is due to the fact that there are very few houses in Venice with a garden and transporting a hot tub through the canals of Venice is very difficult and expensive (in my listing there are some photos that show these difficulties 😁) 

Andrea

[Jj42]

@Lisa10111 

If you will have to maintain your pool regardless of if you have guests or not, then I would make sure your nightly rate reflects those additional costs. You could however look at doing additional fees for add ons such as a "pool package" which pool noodles, life jackets, toys and so on. Also maybe an add on for pool towels so that guests are not bringing your nice linens outside on to the pool deck, and to compensate for the additional laundry. 

[Quincy]

Hi @Lisa10111,

Have you thought about how you’d like to structure the cost if you decide to charge for the heated pool? Would you prefer to bundle the fee into the nightly rate, or do you think a separate charge would work better for your guests?

I've tagged a few hosts who have previously discussed pool heaters who might be able to share more insights:

@Denise6 @Priscilla448 @Alex-and-Susan1 @Andrea4731 @Elaine701 @Chris2003 @Linda108 @Randy730 @Heidi827 

[Elaine701]

Hi @Quincy 

We've considered it, but if you use a pool heating system, electric or gas, the costs can be astronomical. Most guests won't pay it, as it could end up being more than they pay for the accommodation. 

I believe it's better to hide it in the price, rather than add it as an extra (very expensive) fee. Guests just want to know it has the amenities they want, and be given the price for it. Giving them a "with or without" choice is giving them a comparison, which can lead them to presume you're profiteering, even if that's the last thing pool heating possibly facilitates.

One way is to get solar pool heating, and a pool cover to retain the heat at night. If your solar heating array is large enough, you won't be have to heat with gas or electric. And then you can just raise your off season prices a bit, but offer a heated pool. That's attractive. 

We're working on this now. Haven't finished it yet, but maybe before next autumn.

It's impossible to build anything if guests are there, and equally impossible to pay for it if you have no guests. So, we have to block off dates for that kind of work. And that makes it doubly expensive. 

[Quincy]

Hi @Elaine701,

If you're building the cost into the nightly rate, would you keep the pool warm at all times, or warm it up upon request?

It must be a balancing act to make sure that the investment eventually pays off. Are you planning to install it during the low season?

Additionally, how long does the build take, and how long will you need to block off your calendar for? It would be nice if you shared your experience installing the solar pool heating when it's complete. I see it helping many hosts considering the instal. 

[Elaine701]

 @Quincy 

It doesn't get very cold here... only really need it about 3-4 months of the year November - February. 

The rest of the year is warm to excruciatingly hot. No need to heat the pool. Although it may help when there's unexpected cold fronts in March or October. It would be automatic anyway. 

It's solar, and that means it heats when there's sun. So, yes, it would automatically heat when the sun provides the energy (only when it actually needs heating), and I would not really make any commitment to a heated pool in the listing description. That way, it serves to support the "underpromise - overdeliver" strategy we employ. Set expectations below what you actually deliver, and guests will (almost) always be very pleased. And the reviews reflect that.

We've already installed the infrastructure. Water transfer pipes, heat pump, sensor lines and so on. It's now just a matter of putting up the solar collectors, which we've decided to mount on top of a "cabana" on the south side of the pool area. The only remaining issue is getting planning permission to install the cabana 😳. 

We would probably need a week to 10 days to finish it. Unfortunately, we're almost fully booked until September, and so as we wait for planning permission, it's unlikely to be finished before November, when we'll block a week to do the work (along with other improvements). 

It's not really about a return on the investment with regard to income from guests. It's about maintaining a quality experience for guests, justifying a higher price, which enables us to invest more, and also, generally attracts better guests. 

Yet, we'll sell up eventually, but these investments will ultimately facilitate a higher sale price as well.

Think about it: totally solar powered, our own unlimited water, yet no compromise in creature comforts; heating, aircon, heated pool, sauna, jacuzzi etc. And everything under smart home control as well, so you can see what the guests are consuming and adjust to accommodate. Yet, no utility bills. 

And we're fully licenced for tourism, which you can't get anymore. They stopped issuing licences in 2018.

I hope that provides some insight that you were seeking 🤔

[Denise6]

@Lisa10111 

GREAT NEWS Y'LL!  I love this question! 

  to be honest,  I just installed my pool heater, a gulfstream unit , Model: HE150-RA, with wifi upgraded regulation that ONLY i CAN CONTROL 

  Sadly, I can't have solar pool heating due to so much shade on my roof etc,  so I opted to used Solar Sources's pool pump.

  When we installed the weather was in the 40's & 50's.  water temp was 56 degrees the day we turned it on.  The air must be over 55 (technically), but over 65 air temp is better.  

  I waited a few days for the air to hit 65 & turned the sucker on!  It heats 1 degree per hour and I had to run the pool pump til later, 10pm shut off.  

  IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO WARM UP!  i set it for 80 degree pool and WOW...AMAZING!

  I then went to duke Energy daily watts and didn't not see a major change in wattage per day billing.  I am waiting on the first bill tho.

  Significantly,  this was a great idea to install.  I have installed solar at my sons house, no screening, and it has stayed warm!  at no increased electricl 

  Solar Source is no joke!  They also did a friend of mine with a screen cage...INCREDIBLE!

ANYWAY,  I also added a pool blanket (16mm) & roller for under $450 and my wifi says the temp is at least over 2 degrees of the heater.  

  At the moment, I am advertising a 2 day pre notice to get the pool over 80 degrees for $30 day if desired, $300 month.  I don't think it will cost that much but I am monitoring the duke energy page.  Model number Model: HE150-RA.

  if interested....i can give you more details or Call Nick at solar source.  he arranged all the electrical upgrade, piping, etc.  I know in the summer, I won't be needing the heater!

Denise

[Quincy]

Thanks for sharing such a thorough response @Denise6! It seems like you had a positive experience setting up your pool heater. 

How often are your guests now asking for the pool to be heated?

Also, do you also have an estimate of what your energy bill might come to? Would be interested for you to update us once it comes. 

[Randy730]

@Lisa10111 

Hi Lisa,

We have a pool and jacuzzi and the price reflects this. For short term being less than 30 days, I would bill the cost into your daily rate. For longer term stays you may want to establish a baseline for normal usage and if they exceed that, leave it to your discretion if you want to charge more. It’s a balancing act as you want to ensure the guest is happy and leaves a great review.