<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Badger
It annoys me when home owners put a cover over the air conditioning controls. You may say that 74+ is comfortable but I personally find it too hot and dislike being in that climate. I prefer the temperature to be lower. I never leave doors and windows open by the way.
I have yet to find a control box cover that has beaten my attempts to infiltrate it and turn the temperature down a little. I have never had a unit freeze either, I only turn it down a couple of degrees. If they are so concerned about the electricety bill then charge a little more, don't force holiday makers to suffer high temperatures because it costs a little more.


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Owners are of course concerned about high electricity costs.... compared to the UK, electricity is probably triple the cost in the USA. As a result, owners who have covers over their AC controls to counter this problem do so to disuade guests who "fiddle" with settings, not knowing what they are doing. Let's face it how many of us in the UK have AC in our own homes ? So how many such guests are familiar with the correct mode of operation for an AC unit ?

AC units along with pool heaters are the most expensive piece of equipment in most rental homes, so it makes sense that an owner should protect their investment, by keeping temptation out of the reach of guests.

As a villa owner you have to try to accommodate the wishes of all guests, which is why we choose an average recommended temperature at which the AC is to be set. Whilst this will suit most folks, it will not suit everyone.

However, I would never condone the "infiltrating" of AC controls without the owner's or MC's permission. This sends out the wrong signal to guests, especially on an open forum.

Badger, you suggest that we should charge more to allow for fluctuations in AC temperatures and therefore additional charges. To my mind, why should I overcharge the vast majority of guests who are quite happy with the average temperature that is already set ?

If you yourself do not mind paying extra to have the villa cooler, that's great... but make your request with the owner or MC, along with your offer of additional payment.... don't please break into a control box and make adjustments yourself without permission, because by doing so, you are in fact cheating the owner out of the money that you state you would happily pay !