Thermostats & Booking.com

[Patricia Andriolo-Bull]

Combining several prior threads, not necessarily saying that they are related but...

Thermostats-recently someone asked if we lock thermostats.  I hadn't but do include a minimum of 69 in my Welcome Guide.  Reason being - I'm in SWFL and replaced one of my AC units last summer because it froze from a contractor running it with all the windows open in the summer.  My HVAC company recommendation was above 70.  Today, I checked my thermostat in all 3 units.  I normally don't do this but 2 are vacant and was making sure the AC was set at my standard 76.  The guest in the occupied unit had the AC set to 50 DEGREES!  The only reason it reset to 74 is because a guest must have put that on a schedule for Sunday otherwise it would have been a solid 50 the entire time.  Basically, from the moment they got there, almost 4 days ago!  It shows the AC running 24 hours every day!  Photo for a visual...

-This is my first Booking.Com guest in some time.  I generally have great guests as I have said on here before.  Maybe 2 or 3 in the 9 years I've had vacation rentals guests I would want to rent to again.  I have found BDC guests a bit needy and they don't communicate but nothing like this.  

I am not looking forward to getting my electric bill this month.  What is wrong with people?  Does anyone actually set an AC to 50 in their own home?  And yes, I see that people have been setting it below my recommended 69 previously, well, now I am locking it.  I hate to be one of those hosts...

[Josh Sedivy]

Lock the thermostat to prevent damage and high bills. Just add a quick note in the guide so guests know it’s set for comfort and system health. Most people will understand.