Simple user instructions to post for short term vacation rental

[Jcbarbara321]

I purchased the 3rd generation for a vacation rental in the mountains of NC.  I'm finding this unit is not user-friendly for guests unfamiliar with wifi thermostats.  I have tried leaving simple instructions taped to the wall about how to raise and lower the heat and switch modes but they still don't seem to get it or are just not reading them correctly.  The temperatures fluctuate and you may need heat at night and the A/C during the day.

We think we have figured out how to lock a range that guests can use (can't turn a/c below 67 or heat above 77) but we are 1200 miles away and need someone to test it at the unit for us.  I've spoken to Google customer support about this function numerous times and they said this option was not available.  We found out this option was available through social media.  It has been extremely frustrating and we almost switched out the unit for another.  

Does anyone have instructions they leave for their short-term rental units that seem to work?

Thanks!

[CoolingWizard]

@Jcbarbara321 , For you as the owner, I would use a combined Heat and Cool schedule.  In that schedule, set the “default” Heat temperature set point and a “default” cool temperature set point. You only need to set this on a single day, I use Monday at 6:00am. Then you set the mode to Heat and Cool.  The display will switch to the Heat set point on the left and the cool set point on the right. I disable farsight so the nest will require and press to wake it up. This is going to be the simplest approach to use.  

Fir the Guests:

The Nest thermostat is generally considered an intuitive thermostat in its operation. Logically a conventional thermostat has a Heat-Off-Cool mode switch, and a Fan Auto-On switch. The Nest Learning Thermostat has a color display and a rotating outer ring. You press in on the display to wake up the User Interface.  You rotate the ring to highlight the Heat or the Cool set point displayed.  We use this Nest Thermostat to provide the greatest flexibility for our guests.  You see on the display the default temperatures for heat and cool are displayed.  Think about your own home for a second, what do you typically set AC cool temperature to in the summer and the Heat temperature set point to in the winter? So, how do you make temperature changes on our Nest Thermostat?

To change the cooling, rotate the ring clockwise.  The cool set point display number  will grow larger and the heat number will shrink and go dim. Press the display and now you are able to change the cool set point to temperature you desire.  Rotate clockwise to go to higher or warmer temperature set point, and counterclockwise to go to a lower or cooler temperature set point. Once you are happy with temperature you want, press the display to lock it in.  The Heat side works the exact same way.  So now, give it a try and set your personal heat and cool temperature set point you use at home.  

Please allow the system to run for a minimum 1-hour before making another temperature set point change. This allows the system to stabilize its heating or cooling function whichever is running.  You will probably find on the first day you might need to adjust the Cool temperature in the afternoon and Heat temperature late evening and overnight.  Keep in mind you cannot damage the system since it has built in safety mechanisms.  If you are heating the house and suddenly decide to turn the AIr Conditioner on, the thermostat will make the system wait 5-minutes before it allows the new mode to start.  This is automatic and you cannot override it.  

That is a simple as I can make it. 

AC Cooling Wizard

[Jcbarbara321]

Thanks for your response but this has confused me even more.  

Can this unit be set to allow a temperature range for guests to use?  The current guest set and kept the a/c at 64 when it has been between 66 and 75 their entire stay - open a window!   My house must have been an icebox! I thought I locked a temp range to a low of 67 but the lock disappeared for some reason.   

[CoolingWizard]

@Jcbarbara321 , that depends on you. Your rental property must have WiFi and internet access active and the Nest thermostat must be connected to the WiFi.  Then you will need to set the Mode, then set the temperature range and lock the thermostat. Unfortunately, you cannot use a temperature range on the Heat/Cool system mode. If you set the mode to say Heating, you can lock the Nest thermostat and set a 5-degree range.  However, the guests will not be able to change the mode to Cool until you Unlock the thermostat with your Nest App or you have to change the system mode for them. And, before you complain about this perceived limitation, remember, a manual thermostat would allow them to set any temperature they want also.

What you are wanting to do is keep your guests from setting the temperature where they want it and using excessive amounts electricity that you will have to pay for.  Welcome to my club. The best you can do is lock the thermostat in heating mode or cooling mode and set a 5-degree range. As you say, the need for heat at night, you will have to use your Nest app to unlock the Nest thermostat, change the mode to heating, lock the thermostat.

I hope this helps.  

AC Cooling Wizard

[Jenelyn_O]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. I'm sorry for the delay. I hope you get the answer you're looking for. Please let us know if you still have questions in mind, as we'll be willing to assist you further. 

I appreciate your help, @CoolingWizard.

Best,

Jenelyn

[Jcbarbara321]

Hello, 

The one response I got actually confused me even more.  It is now clear to me that the nest is not designed for a short term vacation rental.  The generation 3 learning thermostat you can only lock a temperature range in the a/c mode or the heat mode.  If a range is locked in the a/c mode, guests would not have access to heat unless they had the pin.  

We are switching to a Honeywell that does have the option we need.

[Jenelyn_O]

Hi Jcbarbara321,

I'm sorry for the confusion. We have the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E that could handle heating and cooling mode in one frame. However, once you set a temperature range it will be the temperature that will be maintained by the thermostat by activating your heating and cooling system automatically. Please visit this link to check out Heat•Cool mode.

Thanks,

Jenelyn

[Jenelyn_O]

Hi there,

I wanted to follow up if you still need help. Please let me know if you’re still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Best,

Jenelyn

[Jenelyn_O]

Hey Jcbarbara321,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we'll be locking this thread if there is no update within 24 hours. If you need assistance or want to discuss topics, feel free to start a new thread.

Regards,

Jenelyn