Problem with AC

[Elice72]

My very 1st booking is for 2 nights and on the 2nd night at 10:30pm the guest contacted me to let me know there was an issue with the ac not cooling. I couldn't do anything at that late hour and they are due to check out in the morning. What should I do?

[Karen114]

Apologize and wish them well. Assess the issue after they have checked out. 

[Thomas18]

I would have gone over and checked it myself. It’s possible that they didn’t understand how to use the unit and had it on the wrong setting. (As a host, you will be astonished how clueless some people are and will find that you will have to explain the operation of everything in the house manual - the HVAC, the TV remote, the coffeemaker, etc.) If you found that the AC was actually malfunctioning, you could then explain that it’s not possible to get a repairman out at that hour and offer some fans. At least at that point they will understand that you did everything you could and they will hopefully be sympathetic when writing your review. 

[Robin4]

@Thomas18 

Thomas, when you host you have to have a plan B for everything. I have a back-up hot water heater, toaster, electric kettle, hotplate set. TV operates on either 240v or 12v, I can get through a power failure situation without too many issues.

The big power consuming 'elephant in the room' is the air conditioning! Guests are environmental vandals, they will come in on a 56f afternoon, say how warm it is, put their bags down and go out for the afternoon and evening. But not before winding the a/c up to 90f so they have a nice toasty environment to come back to!

But, having been a mechanical services contractor in my working life, I have got that one beaten Thomas.

I have 'doctored' my a/c control system so it will only work on 'Auto' and it will only operate in a 4c temperature band! If a guest wants to be warmer than 24 c (75 f) in the winter time, or cooler than 20c (68f) in the summer time......they won't do it at my expense. I also have a sensor function built into the cottage key-ring. When they walk out through the front gate the a/c turns off after 5 minutes and reactivates when they return.....they don't even know it is happening.

We are told here in South Australia we now have the most expensive electricity supply cost in the world. Peak tariff rate is 45c per Kw/hr. That's what you get for being environmentally friendly and generating all your state power needs through renewable energy.......wind and solar, and when there is no wind or sun......we get screwed!

But by passively rationalising my energy usage and producing most of my own electricity my energy costs are minimal, averaging year round about $50 per month.

Here was one of our recent summer monthly accounts

Yeah for two month we built up a credit balance to help offset the winter months we are now in.

Cheers........Rob

[Deb216]

@Elice72,

I agree with @Thomas18's recommendations

We have installed a beautiful new AC system (central air throughout the approx. 1700 sq ft home).

Guests from all corners of the earth leave windows & doors wide open during 80F degree weather and wonder why it's hot inside the house. Meanwhile, my $$$ is flying outside.

[Helen427]

Hello @Deb216 , have you considered letting your Guests know they can switch the Air conditioning unit off?

Nothing beats early morning and late evening nice fresh air through one's home when it's warmer weather.

On that note, we have just had a fresh shower of rain here in Auckland after a delightful sunny day!!!

[Heidi803]

so true

less than 60 degrees at night but a/c on 24/7

[Christine615]

Oh - that's a hard question. Depends on the outside temperature (just normal summer versus scorching summer like we're having right now. Just ran into this problem (my guests were on route and were 5 hours before arrival). I have a "Nest" so I can check remotely. The apartment was 83 and rising.

1. Go check yourself. If the outside unit isn't spinning check the circuit breaker. It's been really hot in Texas (and in Missouri, etc.) so a power load in the area might have tripped the breaker. Put your hand on the line to the outside compressor. Is it cold? If not you might need a freon recharge. Some companies will make a late night call (costs extra) because high heat is an emergency.

2. Make sure the furnace filter is clean. That can restrict airflow.

3. It might be personal preference. Some people like things "ice cold" but A/C's are not usually able to cool beyond a certain range below the outside temperature.

If the unit isn't working and can't be restarted quickly, offer to allow them to check into a hotel, or offer a refund for the evening. But if it's working and they just want to sleep in an ice box - that's on them.

[Frances3408]

@Elice72. I agree with @Karen114. If they are checking out the next morning apologise, thank them for bringing it to your attention, say you will investigate and deal with it then. Sometimes guests just want to be heard.

Here noise rules state you arent allowed to run A/C with external compression units after 10pm, which is why we have powerful ceiling fans in bedrooms that are silent and can run constantly on those very hot nights (much lower electricity usage costs too).

During very hot weather with huge load demands utility providers will often reduce available power- something you cant control either unless you are fully off grid.

[Tommy150]

Where are you located?

[Frances3408]

@Tommy150. NSW South Coast, Australia. So we are used to very hot and humid weather and power outages.  😉 .

[Mar125]

go to bed and call AC guy 1st thing next day morning. feel free to tell the guest this as well. 

[Jenny]

Hi @Elice72 

How did things go during check out?  Did the advice from our members help you?

We'd love to hear the outcome so feel free to pop back and let us know?

Thanks to everyone for chiming in!

Jenny

[Elice72 · Accepted solution]

Thanks to all who commented. The guests didn't ask for anything but it was my 1st renters and I was freaking out a bit. We have a nest and the issue was with the ac. I dont live near the property so I couldn't troubleshoot. AC company is coming today. I decided to give them a 30% refund on the 2nd night. Hopefully they will give us a good review. 🤞

[Tommy150]

May be good to invest in a portable unit to have on hand just in case some day ... I don't have central ac - mostly window shakers and portables. But I keep an extra on hand in case one goes out.