Web Enabled Thermostats

[Mark Bosworth]

I'm seeing high electric bills in our STR properties and was wondering if anyone had tried using a web thermostat to reduce power usage when the unit was vacant. The idea would be to turn the AC up (higher temps) when unoccupied and then back down right before guests arrive.

1)  Anyone doing this?

2)  How much do you think it saves?

3) What thermostat do you used?

4) Has anyone automated this so you don't have to change temps manually?

Thanks for the help!!!

[Lauren Kormylo]

I have two Sensi thermostats, which are easy for people to figure out.  I do raise the temp when the house will be vacant for awhile. I wait until the cleaners are done, because I don't want them working in a hot house.  I turn it back down to 72 on the morning there is a check in.  I have no idea how much it saves. I do not want to ask or count on guests to turn it down at checkout, when it's so easy for me to do.

I'm in a beach market.  Another reason I'm glad I have smart thermostats is that I've had 2 guests this summer change the fan from Auto to On, wanting constant airflow I assume, despite ceiling fans in every room.  The first time, I got an alert on the app that the humidity was over 70%. I wondered if they were leaving the patio door or windows open.  But then the thermostat on the 2nd floor did it too. I watched as the humidity went to 78-82% by the end of their stay.  I did some research and found that having the fan running constantly will pick up moisture from the condensate pan and put it back in the living space, cause high humidity.  As soon as they left, I put the fan back on Auto and within hours, the humidity was back down to 54%.  Without the smart thermostat, I would never have known they turned the fan to On, and the house would have been really humid for a long time.