[Article updated in October 2024]

Air conditioning has become a fundamental element in tourist apartments, especially in destinations with warm climates. Guests value the comfort it offers, in addition to having become a key indicator in making booking decisions. For owners and managers of housing for tourist use (VUT) or vacation rental, this service can become a challenge due to high energy costs and its environmental impact.

In this article, we'll talk about how you can efficiently control the use of air conditioning in your properties, optimizing their operation and reducing operating costs.

Is it possible to control the air conditioning in a tourist apartment?

The answer is yes. Owners and managers of homes and tourist flats can implement various strategies to control energy consumption associated with air conditioning without compromising the guest experience.

Next, we'll tell you practical solutions to monitor the air conditioner:

1. Install electrical consumption limiters:

This type of device allows you to control the time and temperature at which guests can use the air conditioner. This way, you prevent the system from working when it's not needed, such as when the apartment is empty.

2. Using Smart Thermostats:

Programmable thermostats allow you to set temperature limits and operating hours. Some models can even be controlled remotely, allowing you to adjust the use of the air conditioner according to the occupancy of the apartment.

3. Regular maintenance:

Keeping air conditioning systems in optimal condition not only prevents breakdowns, but also ensures their energy efficiency, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

How much does an air conditioner spend per month?

The monthly cost of air conditioning in a tourist apartment can vary considerably depending on the type of system, the size of the property and the local climate. However, air conditioning is often responsible for a significant portion of the electricity bill during the summer months.

To get a more accurate idea, it's useful to calculate air conditioner consumption using the energy consumption formula:

KWh = power in kW x hours of use

If we want to know the total consumed per month, then we will have to multiply the result of the previous formula by the number of days in the month (30)

In addition, it is recommended to use equipment with a high energy rating to reduce economic and environmental impact.

Factors that influence air conditioning costs:

• Hours of use: The time the air conditioner is on is a key factor in energy consumption.
• Weather conditions: In extremely hot climates, the air conditioner can be in operation most of the day, considerably increasing the cost.
• Space size: A larger apartment requires more energy to be cooled, especially if the insulation is poor.

Common problems when using air conditioning

As the manager or owner of a tourist home or apartment, you are likely to face a series of problems related to the use of air conditioning:

• High energy costs: The intensive use of air conditioning in tourist apartments can result in considerably high electricity bills, increasing operating costs and reducing profit margins.
• Impact on sustainability: Excessive energy consumption by air conditioning can have a negative impact on sustainability and the property's carbon footprint, which can be a concern for both environmentally conscious homeowners and guests who are increasingly concerned about sustainability.
• Maintenance and breakdowns: Air conditioning systems require regular maintenance to ensure their proper functioning. If not properly maintained, appliances may break down, resulting in additional expenses and potential inconvenience for guests.
• Thermostat control by guests: Guests can adjust the thermostat to extreme levels, which can lead to overuse of the air conditioner and, as a result, to a significant increase in energy consumption and costs. To avoid this situation, there are air conditioning consumption limiters that homeowners can resort to.
• Guest dissatisfaction: If the air conditioning systems are not working properly or are not sufficient to maintain a comfortable temperature in the apartment, guests may express their dissatisfaction in reviews, which would negatively affect the property's reputation and occupancy rate.

Is it legal to raise the air or lower the heat for your guest?

For the time being, air conditioning is required in offices, banks, stores, supermarkets, shopping centres, theatres, cinemas, auditoriums, exhibition halls, and hospitality venues. And, although you cannot control the use of air conditioning in the private environment, it is better to prevent and control consumption so that regulation will not be necessary in the future.

To address these issues, it's important for owners and managers to implement efficient and sustainable practices in the use of air conditioning, carry out regular maintenance of the equipment and provide clear information to guests about the responsible use of air conditioning during their stay. In addition, considering investing in more efficient air conditioning systems and control technologies can help reduce operating costs and environmental impact.

How to reduce the cost of air conditioning on your electricity bill

El air conditioning control in tourist apartments is key to reducing electricity bill spending and minimizing environmental impact. Here are some of the best practices to achieve this:

1. Energy efficiency:

As we mentioned in previous lines, choose to install systems or equipment with high energy efficiency (currently the classification ranges from class A to G, considering class A as having greater energy efficiency), since they consume less electricity and offer optimal performance without affecting the guests' stay.

2. Renewable energies:

Consider installing solar panels to power the air conditioner and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources. This also helps to reduce the carbon footprint of air conditioning and contribute to sustainability.

3. Guest Awareness:

It provides information to visitors on how to use the air conditioner efficiently, for example, turning it off when they are not in the apartment or using fans when possible.

4. Optimization of thermal insulation:

It improves the insulation of windows and doors so that the apartment maintains the temperature better, reducing the need to use air conditioning.

5. Consumption monitoring:

Use systems that allow you to track the energy consumption of each apartment to identify potential inefficiencies and resolve them quickly.

To further optimize the use of air conditioning and reduce operating costs, it is increasingly important to have tools or technological platforms that allow energy consumption to be monitored and controlled. With advanced monitoring systems, you can detect inefficiencies and make informed decisions to adjust consumption, avoiding unpleasant surprises in the electricity bill.

This is where Polaroo can help you make a difference. In Polaroo, we offer a supply management platform specifically designed to facilitate the control and optimization of energy consumption in your tourist properties. With our software, not only can you consolidate all your utility bills in one place, but we also provide you with real data that will help you identify patterns of excessive consumption, such as excessive use of air conditioning.

What benefits can you get from using Polaroo?

• Centralized management: With Polaroo, you can group all your apartment's water, electricity, gas and internet bills, and other basic supplies, into a single panel, simplifying monitoring and analysis of consumption.
• Optimization and savings: Our platform allows you to analyse energy consumption in detail, providing you with the necessary information to make strategic decisions, such as renegotiating contracts or implementing improvements that can reduce supply costs by up to 40%.
• Less time, more efficiency: Polaroo not only helps you to reduce costs, but also to save time. With our automated system, you can reduce the hours spent managing invoices and suppliers by up to 80%, freeing your team from administrative tasks to focus on improving the guest experience.
• Total control: With a single click, you can see all your consumption, payments and costs in a single panel. In addition, with the support of an Account Manager dedicated to your particular case, you will receive fast and efficient assistance, ensuring that you are always in control of your supplies.

In conclusion, air conditioning in tourist apartments is a comfort appreciated by travellers, but it also has significant implications in terms of energy expenditure and sustainability. By implementing responsible solutions and practices, the tourism industry can find a balance between guest comfort and the preservation of the environment. Awareness and commitment to sustainability are essential to ensure a more responsible and conscious future in the management of air conditioning in tourism.

At Polaroo, we can help you: make your business greener, more efficient and profitable. If you are looking for an effective way to reduce energy costs, maximize air conditioning efficiency in your tourist properties and improve overall profitability, do not hesitate to contact us or request a demo right now.