One of the biggest problems with renting out a holiday home is balancing energy conservation with the needs of guests staying at the property for extended periods.
Suppose you start using your heating system more heavily than usual because it's cold outside (and people will often ask why they can't just turn up their thermostat). In that case, that could end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than if you had been mindful about conserving resources.
Here are some tips that might help anyone else who has experienced similar issues.
Teach Guests to Conserve Energy
When you prepare your guests for their stay, be sure to explain that they can help save energy by turning off lights and appliances when they leave a room. Also, please encourage them to turn down the heat or air conditioning before they go to bed.
Asking your guests if there is anything you can do to conserve energy in the home helps build rapport with them and allows them to feel like an active part of reducing their impact on the environment.
Trying to learn about energy consumption and how to work it out can be a struggle. But it's essential we recommend you find out what the standing charge means to be prepared.
Consider Renting Fewer Appliances
You can save a lot of money by not renting appliances you don't need. For example, if you have access to a washing machine and dryer at your own home, don't bother renting one for your holiday rental.
The same goes for dishwashers, TVs and more: if there are appliances at the property that will serve your guests just as well as theirs would have, then it makes sense to leave these items behind.
Lock Your Thermostat on Vacation
This means turning it down to a lower temperature or setting it to "away" mode where possible.
Turning down the heat by just 2 degrees can help you save up to 4% on your utility bill for every degree you lower!
Be sure to let guests know your temperature allowances and why.
Cool Before You Sleep
The easiest way to save energy is to set your thermostat to 60 degrees or less and close the blinds and curtains.
This will keep it cool during the day when no one is home and prevent direct sunlight from heating up your rental during the day when everyone is home.
Limit Your Shower Time and Water Temperature
Advise guests to:
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Turn off the water while they're lathering up.
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Use a low-flow showerhead.
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Make sure your shower curtain is closed.
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Keep the bathroom door closed, especially if using a dryer or dehumidifier (if applicable). These take lots of electricity to run, so keeping them shut helps save electricity and money on your rental property!
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Use cold water for washing dishes rather than hot water, which takes more energy to heat up. Use a dishwasher instead of washing by hand because they can be more efficient than doing it yourself by hand--and if you don't have one at home already, maybe this could be an opportunity to invest in one.
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Please don't run the dishwasher unless it's full.
Create a Home With Energy-Efficient Features
A great feature to look for is a tankless hot water heater, which heats water as you use it rather than storing excess hot water in a large tank that runs out after being heated several times throughout the day or night-saving both time and money while keeping your vacation lodging warm and cosy!
A programmable thermostat is another great way to keep your holiday rental cool without breaking the bank.
How Guests Can Make a Difference
If you are renting a holiday home, you can save money by conserving energy. In addition to helping save resources, this will also help reduce costs for your stay.
You can look into ways of doing this by researching the rental property or speaking with the owner before you arrive. Here are some suggestions:
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Turn off lights when they are not needed.
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Turn off appliances when they're not in use (i.e., TVs).
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If possible, don't use more than one appliance at once instead of using just one at a time (for example: plugging in two lamps rather than just one).
Conclusion
These are just a few ways to make your holiday rental more energy-efficient, but there are many more.
The most important thing is that you start taking steps now so that when it comes time for your next vacation, you can relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about the environment or your utility bills.
