we had an energy management system installed to take care of our heat/ air and water heater-     sensors were installed on the balcony sliding glass door and other areas.     If the sliding glass door is left open for over 90 seconds the heat or airconditioner shuts off.   90 seconds is longer than you think and plenty of time for guests to enter/  exit the balcony-    this prevents someone from turning the ac down to 65 and leaving the slider open 24/7    -      the sensors also detect if no one is in the unit /   no movement for 12 hrs or some variation there of  that cuts off the water heater  and puts the heat/  ac in dormant mode-    its a neat system -   it wont let the guest alter the ac lower than  70   (  our choice) in summer   and wont let the heat setting be over 75   winter   ( our choice )    

We give our guests full access to the HVAC controls/thermostats. The caveat for success here is to provide simple yet detailed instructions laminated and posted next to the controls/thermostat. Guests like to control the climate and while some may turn it way up or way down you will tend to get very few calls or concerns from guests related to temperature.

-MurdockVacationRentals

The sensor thing sounds pretty nifty!

We use the Trane thermostat that is synced with our Schlage LiNK system. I receive a text message and email each time the thermostat is touched. If I don't like the setting the guests put it to, I can log into my account from my phone or computer and adjust it remotely. I am amazed at how often guests adjust the heating/cooling in the house.

I agree with Murdock that it is important for the guests to feel comfortable during their stay and able to adjust the temperature in the house to their comfort level. I usually don't change a guest's settings unless they lower the AC below 70 degrees. In Branson it gets quite warm during the summer, and guests think the house will cool off faster if they set the thermostat lower and lower...I just chuckle and change the thermostat back so it doesn't freeze up. I do include instructions on the AC settings with their directions, so that helps as well.

Tyann Marcink

www.vacationhomeinbranson.com

We installed programmable thermostats for our heaters where we have set a minimum and maximum heat level.  The heat is always set to the minimum so that the pipes don't freeze mid-week when there are no renters.  The renters can increase the heat but not above a certain level.  If they forget to turn the heat down when they leave the thermostat resets itself after a few hours so that the heat doesn't run constantly.  This was an inexpensive solution (less than $100) and has reduced our propane bills by 1/3rd.  I still plan to look into the Trane thermostat too since heat during the winter costs is still too expensive.

Hi Tiffany.

The name of the company you need is Coastal Green Air.  www.coastalgreenair.com. I am the distributor for this company. So, contact Hiram @ 850-249-7988 or hiramh11@earthlink.net.  My company is the one to which I believe piercetc is referring.  It does turn the ac off after the door is opened for 90 seconds as well as if there is no motion detected for a period of time, it will move the thermostat temps up or down to preset ranges automatically. But, when guests are there they can turn the stat wherever they wish and will show that setting on the stat, but in reality will only stay within preset parameters.  We also have a motion detected device that turns the water heater off.  Owners have proven savings 33%-47% on their power bills.  Most installations pay for themselves within 24 months or less.

hiramh