Asking sitters to be considerate of energy use

[Ckone2541]

Hello folks, sitter and HO here. We just got our electric bill and noticed that the last two sitters have used the electric in insane ways- our electric bill is usually 40-60 usd and the last bill is 190 and the one before that was 160. I WFH when not in sits so it makes no sense how high it is, considering I am here and use electric all day! We also tell sitters to not leave the balcony open while using the ac as it leads to the ac breaking down and it happened with our last sitter… ac broke down and we had it repaired due to it trying to manage pumping out cold air with temps outside at 95-99 with windows open .

We don’t ask sitters to contribute towards electricity as we know they’re caring for our pets, but how have y’all put it in your guides or informed sitters to be mindful of their electric use and to be considerate of how their use or misuse can lead to costly repairs that we have to foot?

Edit: we live in fl and having the ac on at all times is a necessity. Even with it on at all times it still charges 40-60. We like for sitters to be comfy…

Ty!

[Globetrotter]

I’m a sitter and this is something I’m always conscious of as I don’t want a homeowner to incur extra expenses while I’m in their home. I think it’s just common courtesy that all sitters should be aware of this.

[BonnyinBrighton]

I think you need to choose sitters who know how to run a household efficiently. I’m sorry to say this but a few sitters who’ve never had to pay the bills simply do not consider these things… I think a conversation at the video chat stage could highlight the difference in normal bills and 2 particular sitter bills- it lets them know you’ll monitor this.

[Oztravels]

The problem sometimes is that sitters may be coming from another culture/climate which may have different usage norms. For instance when we sit for American hosts we are bewildered that they have their AC on all the time while UK folk are cautious with heating (sorry if I offended half the world ). We have lived everywhere from the tropics to cold climates but we are very conscious of our electricity usage. I would just ask sitters to be considerate and discuss it at the video call and establish their “comfort zone”

[anon55123711]

I actually mention in my profile that I am very frugal with heating. I am appalled at how much some people simply take it for granted and never seen to consider the cost, nevermind the environment.

If you mentioned the need for frugality in your listing it wouldn’t put me off in the least. You could perhaps soften it a little by mentioning a need to be environmentally conscious.

[Cathie]

I too don’t get people being wasteful with heating or cooling. Having spent many years in a house with neither (only fans for cooling) I am used to putting an extra layer on if need be. Moving to a home with aircon in a hot climate was luxury but after the first month’s bill, I said ok, we need to be more careful about how we use this. It’s a bit of a luxury and I don’t understand people sleeping with aircon on so they can sleep under a pile of blankets. Killing the world.

[Maggie8K]

If this is a concern, you might consider asking sitters to kick in on utilities if they surpass whatever normal use is for you. THS allows that, as long as that’s declared upfront. People vary a lot in preferences, the temps they’re used to and in some cases their health. Better to allow people to opt in or out for better possible matches.

[Lassie]

Maybe get a devoice like this for the balcony door when you are using AC: Amazon.com: DAYTECH Fridge Door Alarm with Delay 1/2/3/4 mins Adjustable Close Windows Reminder 0-120 dB Refrigerator Alert Wireless Door Ajar Chime for Freezer Fridge Home 1 Set White : Electronics

[OnTheRoadAgain]

I don’t think there’s much you can do other than to emphasis the need to keep windows and doors closed when heating or cooling are on. Unfortunately, all you can do is ask and maybe explain why you’re asking. Emphasizing the wear and tear on the AC system might get more traction than complaints about the utility bill. And then go with the flow. We’ve had guests from Europe who leave doors wide open when they step out. We’ve also witnessed a renter with the central air on high (78F) mid winter with the front door wide open. The latter were paying their own utility bills so it’s not as if they didn’t know the actual cost. Seemed weird to us but they did have a Sphinx cat in the house.

[KittySitter]

I’d frame it as practical, not moral. In some places leaving doors open is just normal, so sitters may not realize what it does to a Southern A/C. A quick note like: “If the A/C runs with doors or windows open, the line can freeze and the system will break down — which means you’ll be hot and miserable for the rest of your stay and we’ll have to arrange emergency boarding for Fluffy in an air-conditioned kennel” could get the point across.

It’s not about being “good” or “bad” with electricity, just keeping everyone comfy and avoiding a meltdown (literally and figuratively!).

[Cleeflang]

You live in FL and your electric is only $40-$60/month? That’s incredible. I live in Central Florida and mine runs just under $300 in the summer months. And we’re not extravagant with the AC and don’t leave windows or doors open.

[ABGM]

Can’t figure out how sitters could’ve used 3x the electricity you do! Perhaps there’s a balance between a friendly explanation/request about the cost of AC and how best to efficiently use it, vs. sounding too “uptight” about it, as other sitters have had the experience of being told not to use the heat or whatever. This would be a good thing to discuss when you’re doing video calls or messages with prospective sitters – explain these past problems and see if they sound like they understand your concerns.

This frozen Canadian could not WAIT for the owners to leave so I could turn off the noisy, freezing AC and enjoy the heat!!

[toreishi]

From an American who HATES ac !

“ While want you to enjoy our home and be comfortable during your sit, we would also appreciate your mindfulness in your use of a/c (and/or whatever appliances or systems jack up your energy bills) while here. “

No need to get too wordy in your post but a follow through emphasising this point while speaking with potential sitters would underline the importance of this concern.

And, I could be wrong here but I’m thinking that younger and/or non-home owning sitters would be more likely to abuse this situation given that they don’t have a history of actually PAYING for utilities.

[Garfield]

In an international community as this is, I think we need to know that people in different countries both can have different standards on what is normal, what is frugal, what makes sense or not - and also different knowledge on how things work, especially if they are not used to it.

If you are not used to A/C for instance, you might not know that having a window open is counterproductive re. the A/C-unit working properly or that it increases cost. In some countries opening a window is both normal and the habit you’d have to air out or cool down, for instance. So needing to close the window to get it cooler wouldn’t make “sense” as such, you’d need to learn it - and even then might forget in the moment. I guess even a person that knows could forget or be absentminded, especially if something happens (doorbell, pet, telephone..)

While the official health advice is to keep it 18+Celcius indoor, it seems some places it is normal for some people to have indoor-temps. way lower, or not having it as a general temperature, but sitting in their coat under a blanket on the couch with a mobile heater with icicles forming on your nose.(UK, do you hear me… . Sorry. I just had to make a joke… ) While others might not think much about utilities, and insist on being able to comfortably prance around indoor in a t-shirt and still feel warm like under a duvet. “Mindful, “comfortable” - what is it, really? How long is an elastic band?

So to navigate this, I think we need to be really accurate. Explain it to me like I’m ten:

“Air Conditioning:

Set the thermostat to a comfortable 24-25°C (75-77°F). Each degree lower can significantly increase the energy bill.
Turn off or set the temperature higher when you leave the house (there’s no need to cool an empty home, it will quickly cool on your return).

Use fans to circulate cool air, allowing you to set your A/C at a higher temperature while maintaining comfort.

Heating:

Aim for a cozy 20-21°C (68-70°F) in the winter. Before adjusting the thermostat, consider putting on a sweater.
Turn down the heat when you leave the house or go to bed. It will save energy, but also give a good nights sleep. You’ll find extra blankets :where: if you need it.

General tips:

Drafts from windows and doors can affect the temperature and cause the A/C or heater to work harder and possibly cause damage. Close windows/doors while using the A/C to maintain efficiency and comfort.”

As a host, you can consider a programmable thermostat, and for instance have day/night and week programmes. But do take into consideration that while you might lower the temp. during the day because you are at work, a sitter might be home during the days of the week. This change of pattern will in itself make the energy bill go up, even if the sitters are as frugal as you are - so please take note.

You can consider giving the sitters access to monitoring the consumption if this is avaible in an app or similar.

You can consider sharing your consumption with the sitter, and make an agreement that they can chip in if they would like to use more. However, a sitter should IMO always be able to use heating and such as is adviced by health organizations. When the general advice is 18+ C, you can’t reasonably expect an unpaid voluntary sitter in an equal exchange to endure 14C in the midwinter.

[Chrissie]

We’ve just confirmed a 6 week sit, and the HO brought this up at the video call. We agreed to pay anything that went over their usual bill, as we know for a fact that we won’t go over. We’re always very mindful of the high cost of using gas/electric.

(edited by Forum team to meet our Community Guidelines)

[Garfield]

Provided you have the same standard. To be able to know that for a fact, you need to know the actual habits of the host. While 18-20C in the home is adviced as indoor temp. by health organisations and considered “low” by many, the host might have habits where they regard 14C in the living room only “normal” to them. Also, if the hosts normally lower the temp. during the day because they are at work, the utilites bill will be higher even if you and the host have the same idea of a normal indoor temp. when they are at home.

[Chrissie]

The hosts work from home, we won’t be at home all day, guaranteed , and we hate AC, so will hardly ever have that on. Done this a few times before, and NEVER gone over.

[wombat]

I would not make myself uncomfortable though. Our current house sit had the AC thermostat set to 80 (26C) when we arrived. I am not spending a sit feeling hot and sweaty just to save the HO money. There is an indoor cat so opening a window is not an option, and the temperature outside is in the 100s anyway, so it would not cool the house. We have changed the AC setting to 75 during the day while we are home, and down to 73 at night so that the bedroom is cooled. We will put the thermostat back to 80 when we leave.

[MerryPuppins]

Yes; I’ve noticed most hotels & condos I’ve rented in Hawaii (and many in Florida) have some kind of automatic trigger on the glass sliders & windows…if they’re open, the A/C goes off. But no doubt that’s dependent upon fairly modern and centralized HVAC systems…?

I’ve also been at some pet sits where the thermometer is locked between a set range. I’m a bit ambivalent about this as I do see it from both sides. I run cold, and sometimes in the morning or evening I do like to turn it up a couple degrees for an hour just to take the chill off. I’ve started carrying slippers and an electric “slanket” with me which helps a LOT, but the latter is so bulky that it’s really only viable for sits I’m driving to.

I think it’s nice that the OP is considerate of their sitters’ comfort as well; cultural norms & costs differ, as well as peoples’ tolerance. I’d certainly think it justifies a conversation during the interview — to which I’d probably ask what temps the HO generally keepS things, & if THEY’re amenable to my contributing a pre-agreed amount to cover overage (while hoping they’ll bear in mind the cost compared to boarding their pets), & rely on my assurance I’d never do something like run heat/air with windows & doors open. But I’m sure it doesn’t benefit HOs to come off as skimpy or controlling…so it’s a bit of a tip-toe.

In any case, IMO it’s never wrong to use the Welcome book to ask people to please be conscious of the thermometer settings, esp when leaving the home, & gently letting them know where you usually keep things set while also explaining how to adjust the settings “if needed.” That tells me their general expectations, while still letting me know I have some free agency if I need a bit of a cool-down or warm-up for an hour or on an unseasonable day.

[KittySitter]

It is always fascinating to me where people focus their attention when it comes to money. My great-uncle obsessed about the price of gasoline. He drove an enormous car that got about 12 miles to the gallon. Never, not once, would he listen to logic: “Instead of driving across town to get cheaper gasoline, why don’t you get a more efficient car?”

And with housesits - well I frequently buy extras for my hosts without even thinking about it. Replacement food for the pets. Extra consumables - cooking oil, detergent, paper towels, even drain cleaner. I always leave these behind and maybe I’ve spent $30-$50 on things? I don’t keep track and don’t nickel and dime, and I do these because I’m human and not because they’re expected. If a host for whom I had purchased these things then made a snarky comment about a utility bill that was $40 more than usual (when, to @Garfield ‘s point, I was home all day and thus needed the heat on all day) - well that would certainly rub me the wrong way. I recommend everyone look at the big picture and not just at one expense.