What is it with guests opening windows while hvac runs?

Contractor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

I would estimate as much as 20% of our guests in our various units will open windows while the Heat or AC runs and struggles to keep up, and running up the utilities bill. I can understand if it's a nice high 60s or '70s day and you want to bring in some fresh air, but they often do it when it is more extreme temperatures with complete disregard that the climate system is running. It just boggles my mind because I would never think to do that. I would turn off the unit if I'm opening windows.

two questions. Why the heck do people do this? And how do you handle it? I imagine in really high-end units you would not say anything and let them do their thing, but some of these gross 1500 or 2,000 a month.

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Peter ShuttPro Member

Application Engineer at BiggerPockets · Canton, MI · Member since 2022 · 16 posts · 23 votes

You could get a device that shuts the hvac down when the windows are open. Like this one: https://www.kadtronix.com/hsrs...

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Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Allan Smith:

I would estimate as much as 20% of our guests in our various units will open windows while the Heat or AC runs and struggles to keep up, and running up the utilities bill. I can understand if it's a nice high 60s or '70s day and you want to bring in some fresh air, but they often do it when it is more extreme temperatures with complete disregard that the climate system is running. It just boggles my mind because I would never think to do that. I would turn off the unit if I'm opening windows.
two questions. Why the heck do people do this? And how do you handle it? I imagine in really high-end units you would not say anything and let them do their thing, but some of these gross 1500 or 2,000 a month.
Sinuses.
You still want to be comfortable but sometimes the HVAC AC filter hasn't been changed in a while and the old sinuses flare up.
1 Reply
Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
People aren’t smart. I let them do it. I don’t even want to know
Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
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Trish Mccoy
Real Estate Agent · Grass Valley, CA · Member since 2017 · 185 posts · 198 votes
3y
You can always highlight this in your manual at the home. "please don't open windows if running HVAC" Or.. a note by the thermostat
If people aren't paying electrical/gas bill - they don't care in most cases.
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Peter ShuttPro Member
Application Engineer at BiggerPockets · Canton, MI · Member since 2022 · 16 posts · 23 votes
3y
You could get a device that shuts the hvac down when the windows are open. Like this one: https://www.kadtronix.com/hsrs...
6 Reply
John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
3y
How do you even know this is happening?
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John MorganPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Grand Prairie, TX · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
@Allan Smith
We’re not dealing with the brightest people. That’s why most of these people will always be renters. Mine do it all the time and I just raise rent a little extra on them over time for this. Lol
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Allan Smith
OP
Contractor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
Quote from @John Morgan:

@Allan Smith
We’re not dealing with the brightest people. That’s why most of these people will always be renters. Mine do it all the time and I just raise rent a little extra on them over time for this. Lol

I would hope your tenants pay their own utilities??

This is for short term rentals. On a couple of them we tend to get 30 - 60 day bookings.

@John Underwood we see the windows open from the outside, and the smart thermostat shows temp its set to maintain.

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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
3y
People are just rude. I've had some run the heat and or AC with windows open. People leave the front door open and we arrive to find a house full of bugs....
I've taken to printing out labels and laminating them, I stick them right on the front door or wherever they need to be to be seen. I know it's not the classiest thing, but ya gotta do something. I try to make the comments somewhat humorous....
Fortunately it is a small percentage.
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Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
@Allan Smith with my long term tenants there is a warning and then a fine. If you are renting over 30 days that is not really short term. I show tenants on move in how to shut off the heat which is a little switch under the thermostat. It was common in some countries to open windows for fresh air even in winter. If you are talking months then you might just have a utility cap after which they pay.
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Russell BrazilBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
3y
To get fresh air
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Dave StokleyBusiness Member
Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 705 posts · 799 votes
3y
Ok mom.
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Brooklyn McCarty
Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
3y
Why do they do it? Because they can 😅 They are on vacation with the mindset that they aren’t the ones paying the bills.

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Curtis Mears
Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 729 posts · 596 votes
3y
@Allan Smith
I know friends that keep the sliding door open to cool the patio. Some people do not care about the expense. As for renters, make them pay for the electric, then they start to care.
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Dave StokleyBusiness Member
Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 705 posts · 799 votes
3y
Quote from @Curtis Mears:

@Allan Smith
I know friends that keep the sliding door open to cool the patio. Some people do not care about the expense. As for renters, make them pay for the electric, then they start to care.
How do you propose making someone pay for electric for the 2 days out of the month they were there?
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Henry T.
Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Peter Shutt:

You could get a device that shuts the hvac down when the windows are open. Like this one: https://www.kadtronix.com/hsrs...
You win smart device of the week! I'm gonna get one for my wife. 34 degrees out and she has the windows and doors open. Likes the fresh air she says. If she's trying to drive me crazy she's succeeding. She's getting a kadtronix. At least I can show it to her and say, "hey honey, I'm getting you this for your birthday if you don't button this place up".

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Wendy S.
Ellenwood, GA · Member since 2016 · 267 posts · 70 votes
3y
@Peter Shutt with multiple windows this cost could quickly add up.
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Scott K.
Member since 2020 · 223 posts · 233 votes
3y
Smoking weed most likely. Be happy they don't keep it closed!
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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
3y
It was 3C here the other day and I opened up a window to get some fresh air in as it was relatively warm.
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Scott Mac
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
Maybe the house is very well insulated and you ave no fresh air mixer on your HVAC system.
Maybe the fresh air mixer (option) is there and it's turned to zero (off).
Maybe adding a fresh air mixer and alerting the renters about it would solve some of this problem.
Good Luck!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssl5RL187kU
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Sara Levy-Lambert
USA · Member since 2022 · 879 posts · 109 votes
3y
- It's a mystery to me why some guests seem to think it's okay to open the windows while the heating or air conditioning is running. It's not only wasteful, it also runs up the utilities bill and makes it more difficult for the climate system to maintain a comfortable temperature. It's especially frustrating when it's extreme temperatures outside and the guests are just letting all the cold or heat escape.
- I understand that fresh air can be nice, but it's important to be mindful of the impact on the utilities and the climate system. If you want to open the windows, it's best to turn off the heating or air conditioning first. It's just common sense and respect for the property and the other guests who will be staying there.
- In high-end units, we may be more lenient and let the guests do as they please, but in the more budget-friendly units, it's important to set some boundaries and make sure the guests are aware of their impact on the utilities. It's not fair to the host or future guests to have to deal with unnecessarily high bills because of one person's inconsiderate behavior.
Add it into your manual and see if it works, if not, raise your rates to offset the cost.
2 Reply
Galen Ikonomov
Member since 2021 · 256 posts · 213 votes
3y
I like how some people here are actually justifying why people are opening the windows while the heat is cranking during the winter and vice versa AC during hot months.
Fresh air? - Stand up and bring yourself outside. - If it is cold put a jacket ON, if it is hot - go naked.
NO!?!?! Just NO?! It does not make any sense. That entitlement thinking of "I pay for it and it is not mine, I don't care", has to stop. Because that thinking spills throughout different areas of life for people. The word respect is foreign to some people.
"If common sense could be bottled and sold - there will be plenty of rich people".
1 Reply
Pam Brown
Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis IN · Member since 2022 · 144 posts · 65 votes
3y
Why the heck do people do this?--It's simply that they aren't being respectful---and yes, they don't have to pay the bills. Grrrrrr....
1 Reply
Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
3y
Like @Galen Ikonomov said - there are zero valid reasons for a guest to be so rude. Zero.
1 Reply
Jay ThomasPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 715 votes
3y
It's understandable that people may not think about the impact of their energy usage if they're not directly responsible for paying the bill. But it's important to remember that small changes in behavior, such as making sure to close windows and doors when running the HVAC system, can make a big difference in reducing energy costs. Placing a reminder near the thermostat or home entrance is an easy way to remind everyone to take part in being more energy efficient. It may seem like a small step but it can have a real impact on your overall consumption. Taking responsibility for our own actions helps build better habits!
[email protected]832-889-5607
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Account Closed
Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Allan Smith:

I would estimate as much as 20% of our guests in our various units will open windows while the Heat or AC runs and struggles to keep up, and running up the utilities bill. I can understand if it's a nice high 60s or '70s day and you want to bring in some fresh air, but they often do it when it is more extreme temperatures with complete disregard that the climate system is running. It just boggles my mind because I would never think to do that. I would turn off the unit if I'm opening windows.
two questions. Why the heck do people do this? And how do you handle it? I imagine in really high-end units you would not say anything and let them do their thing, but some of these gross 1500 or 2,000 a month.
They're airing out the smell of drugs and cigarettes of course so you won't know they were smoking dope and cigs in your place. They are being thoughtful. ;-)
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