With the peak season in full swing, short-term rental (STR) property managers across the country will be responding to increased demand by maximizing bookings and accommodating a large number of guests.
It goes without saying that with hotter temperatures and high occupancy levels comes increased energy usage. What can property managers do to keep costs, and their environmental footprint, to a minimum?
We take a look at some key considerations when trying to limit energy usage and bill costs without sacrificing guest comfort:
The importance of HVAC efficiency
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the most expensive and largest energy consumers in rental properties. Inefficient systems not only inflate energy bills but also negatively impact the environment. By adopting a smart HVAC system, property managers have greater insights on the performance of the unit, ensuring it is running optimally and cost-effectively at all times.
Predictive HVAC maintenance
Smart technology within the HVAC unit creates a blueprint of the normal and optimal performance of the system so that it can detect if there is an abnormality. The system knows the appropriate effort required to cool a property and can recognize if too much energy is expended when cooling. The system then alerts the property manager of a potential fault giving them peace of mind that the system is being monitored and optimized at all times. This predictive maintenance also allows for managers to schedule maintenance work at a time that is convenient, rather than at the point of breakdown.
Smart Thermostats: A Game Changer
One of the most simple yet effective upgrades that can be made to a rental is the installation of smart thermostats.
Property managers can manage the temperatures of their units remotely, a particularly useful feature when you know the property is vacant or if there will be downtime during change over days. Better still, when integrated with a PMS, booking information is fed to the smart thermostat and temperatures can be adjusted automatically with thermostat templates. This enables property managers to save costs when the rental is empty, automatically cooling the property to an ideal temperature just before the guest arrives, considerably improving their experience.
Integrating Sensors for Automated Energy Savings
Property managers should also consider fitting door and window sensors to their rentals that automatically adjust the HVAC system when an opening is detected. If a door or window is left open, the system will automatically pause to prevent cool air from being wasted, providing further savings on energy usage and costs.
Efficient management of HVAC systems can play an important role in reducing operational costs while ensuring guest comfort. Smart thermostats, door and window sensors, and regular maintenance are just a few strategies that can help property managers keep energy bills in check.
Want to find out more about short-term rental property management technology? Read our beginner’s guide here.
