Does this situation resonate with you? A client goes out for the whole day, and after they leave, you discover that the air conditioning was running 24/7 in all the rooms… 😅
This is the everyday reality for many owners of seasonal rentals in Guadeloupe (and elsewhere!). At ZeWelcome, we manage over 160 villas, and this problem comes up very often in feedback from our partners.
Exploding electricity bills, energy waste, ecological impact... A solution had to be found.
Here, we share our experience, the options we discarded, and the simple solution that works for us: a small, simple, but very effective UX «nudge»!
Why is air conditioning a crucial topic in seasonal rentals?
Air conditioning is an essential comfort in our hot regions. But if left on constantly, it leads to several major problems:
- 📈 Explosion of electricity costs : sometimes +60 € per person for just one week's rental. Several hundred euros for a large villa.
- ❄️ Premature wear of devices.
- Recycle Ecological impact In Guadeloupe, electricity is largely produced from fossil fuels.
- 🚫 Tensions with travelers when trying to regulate or limit its use.
The challenge: reconciling passenger comfort, environmental respect, and cost control.
Overview of Tested Solutions (and their Limitations)
We have tested or observed several options in other hosts:
- The timer or the time slots
- Allows to define when the air conditioning can operate (e.g., 8 PM – 8 AM).
- ❌ But it prevents an afternoon nap or a refreshment during the day.
- The key system that cuts the AC when you leave the house
- Based on a key connected to the power supply of the air conditioners.
- ⚠️ Often generates negative reviews: house too hot upon return, degraded experience.
Example: An Airbnb review received for a villa equipped with this system mentions:
«You have to turn off all the AC when you leave… very hot and humid home each time you return.»
Final note: 2/5.
- Over-consumption electricity billing
- Tenants sign an agreement upon move-in.
- 📆 Adds stress upon arrival, cold, unwelcoming image.
- Airbnb Issue: Fee Transparency Policy.
- Text reminders In case of default
- Works only if you live next door and can hear the air conditioning running from outside.
- It requires time and rigor, and it feels a bit like being under surveillance.
Our solution at ZeWelcome: a simple and effective UX «nudge»
Rather than constrain, we chose to’encourage good behavior. In UX design, this is called a nudge a slight, non-intrusive behavioral nudge.
🎨 We created some eco-friendly posters (in French and English), beautifully designed, placed in strategic locations (near light switches, in bedrooms, in the entranceway).
🤝 They don't feel guilty, they inform. And they're working!
Since their implementation in our 160 villas:
- Fewer air conditioners left running continuously
- 0 negative reviews on this topic
- ♻️ A real ecological and educational impact
Download our eco-responsible posters for free
We're happy to share them with you, it's a gift 🎁
Feel free to use them, adapt them, or just draw inspiration from them for your own homes.
Conclusion: Empowering without forcing is possible 🙂
What we learned from our experience:
- ❌ Overly strict solutions degrade the customer experience.
- ✅ Small, intelligent, and well-thought-out reminders are often enough.
- 📊 A micro-action (poster) can have a maxi-impact (on energy, the planet, and customer satisfaction).
At ZeWelcome, we believe in more responsible tourism, without sacrificing comfort or hospitality.
Have you tried other tips or tricks? Do you have any feedback to share?
We're interested in comments or private messages!
