Guests refuse to turn off AC when they are out

[Chris-and-Eva0]

I have 2 split air conditioners in this unit. These guests booked 7 nights. They didn’t turn off AC when they were out in the afternoon on the 2nd day. We turned them off from outside the unit.   After he was back, he talked to me with a raised voice “I paid you the place, I have every right to use the AC. I always leave the AC on when I am out in my home. So when I am back , it is cold. Don’t turn off my AC again” Basically he wants the AC on 24 hours for the entire 7 days even they are going out in the day. It’s such a waste of resources. Everyone who lives in Philippines know how expensive the electric bill is. I said to him it only takes 5 minutes to cool down the place. He wouldn’t listen, claimed he has the right to do it.  What should I do? They still have a few nights here. 

[Kevin1322]

I'd say your guest is being a bit unreasonable. 

I fear the diplomatic way is to suck it up, but add to your house rules that guests are expected to turn the AC off when they go out so the matter does not come up again, hopefully.

Dress it up as a green "saving energy and the planet" issue and you have the moral high ground on this issue with future guests.

That's the best I can think of.

Good luck.

[Chris-and-Eva0]

Thanks Kevin, your feedback is appreciated.  We have now made it very clear in our house rules that the AC will be turned off, from outside, if guests leave for the day.  As for trying to talk further with the guest we have decided to "suck it up".  They start drinking as early as 7:30 am and don't shut down till 3:00 am. People in that state of mind are not very easy to deal with, so we avoid talking to them.  They are not doing any damage to our place or disturbing our other guests so we are content to let them be.

It is a bit ironic that since the beginning of their stay there have been two power outages in our area.  The island here is definitely struggling with infrastructure issues due to the influx of tourists.

Thanks again!

Chris & Eva

[Kevin1322]

They start drinking at 7.30 am...… wow!  

I suppose it's a blessing they aren't disturbing your other guests!

Good luck. hope it works out.

[Lilian20]

Good idea to make it look a little bit Ecologically orientated ! 

[Sarah977 · Accepted solution]

@Chris-and-Eva0  "I always leave the AC on when I'm out at home".

He isn't at home. And he sounds like a jerk. I would send him a message: "Our pricing is based, in part, on average use of utilities. Leaving the AC on all day and night, even when you are out, is not normal usage, and you did not, in fact, pay for this excessive use of electricity when you booked with us. All our other guests have understood this and been respectful in this matter. Please comply with our simple request to turn it off when you are out. If you send us a text message 10 minutes before you return each day, we can turn it back on for you so it is cool in the house when you arrive." 

This guy has an attitude, obviously, and I suspect he will leave a bad review just for you asking him to turn it off when he is out in the first place, so at this point, I don't think it matters as far as thinking you'll get a bad review if you try further to get him to comply.

[Chris-and-Eva0]

Thanks Sarah for your feedback.  Have saved your message in the event we have another similar guest.  Anyone that doesn't get the logic of your words is ignorant to the world around them, nor do they care about anything but themselves.

Have also spoken to AirBnb about the situation and what we have decided to do, this time.  If there is a next time it will be clear that the guest is breaking our house rules and our response will be different.

Thanks again for your support!

Chris & Eva

[Helen3]

Great advice from @Sarah977 . If the guest continues to leave it on after this message, I would contact Airbnb and ask them to cancel the booking.

If he was a hotel it would automatically shut out on leaving the room in most places.

He is being completely unreasonable.

[Gordon0]

Please make sure you leave this womble an appropriate review, @Chris-and-Eva0.

[Chris-and-Eva0]

Yes, we will definitely leave an honest review so other hosts could get a clear picture and a warning before accepting his booking. So far he doesn’t have any reviews , we will be the first one to review him. 

[Mike-And-Helen0]

@Gordon0 Underground, overground...

[Pete69]

Some hotels use devices that sense (via infrared) that nobody is in the room and then it automatically shuts off the AC. https://www.aervirdis.it/praesentia-sensore-presenza-spegni-condizionatori-con-stanza-vuota/

Add to your rules that all appliances (including the AC) must be shut off when leaving the place.

I once had a guest who refused to stop leaving the AC on while gone all day even while it said in my rules to not run the AC while gone and even after reminding them via email when they left it on during their first day. You should try to scare off these heat sensitive guests from the get go by the wording of your listing. Say something like "If you need a REALLY cold air conditioned room then this stay will not meet your expectations".

[Chris-and-Eva0]

Yes, we will do some research on this device, will buy 1 to test. Thanks for the suggestion!  

[Ale113]

Write the Limits clearly in th House Rules, even if it's obvious.

When you welcome the guest, explain the House rules while introducing them the spaces.

Send a nice and clear message remembering the House Rules if they break any.

Call Airbnb the second time they break the rule after informing them.

[Chris-and-Eva0]

Thanks for the steps and tips! They are very practical and helpful.