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AIBU?

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Original poster

I want to relax, owner controlling central heating remotely

184 replies

PaddingtonBearPumpkinstare · 26/10/2019 11:52

I am currently on a long weekend with DH and two DC. Whilst the cottage is lovely and we can’t fault it, the heating is controlled remotely via an app by the owner. It is set to 22 degrees and to come on at 6.30am to 10am and then 4pm to 10pm. If we want to alter the temperature or turn it on or off we have to text the owner and ask her to do it. Is this the norm?! I’ve never heard of this before.

We only arrived last night and have already had to text her twice. We arrived just as it was starting up at 4pm and as I was unpacking I was absolutely boiling and had to open all the windows upstairs. Our heating at home is never above 19, DH asked her to turn it down. She said she’d turn it down to 20 for the rest of our stay unless she heard otherwise.

During the night DS woke for a bottle at 3am and I was really cold and actually couldn’t get back to sleep for a while. Obviously we couldn’t text her at that time. If that had been at home I would have just put the heating on for an hour whilst he had his bottle. Then this morning at 6am, DS started whinging in his sleep and when I checked him his cheeks were really cold. So this morning DH has texted her again and asked her to put it on at 2am for an hour but she hasn’t yet responded.

I can only assume the reasoning for it is to stop people leaving the heating on all day when they go out. The weather is horrible today and I want to arrive back to a nice toasty cottage but that won’t happen if we arrive back before 4pm.

AIBU to want to relax on this short break and not be pissed off and feel like a child asking for the heating to be put on?

OP posts:
Fortheloveofscience · 26/10/2019 11:54

YANBU, that sounds really irritating. I’ve stayed in places before where there’s a long list of rules of how to operate the heating system, but never to have it completely out of my control.

You’ll just have to keep texting her, it’s a rod she’s made for her own back. And mention it on the review.

Lockheart · 26/10/2019 11:57

Honestly those times look pretty normal to me - I doubt many people put the heating on at 2am!

Are you quite sure there's no way to manually control it? Whilst these apps do give you remote control of the system there's generally physical controls as well. Work out where the boiler is and have a look.

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 26/10/2019 11:59

We have one of these systems, there is also a thermostat/programmer in the house. Find it.

HairyFloppins · 26/10/2019 12:02

There should be a thermostat somewhere, they have probably hidden it.

I would hate this as well. I hate being cold.

The Hive app was down all day yesterday and I saw people complaining on the Twittter that the holiday home owner couldn't control the heating remotely and the thermostat was locked in a cupboard so they were all freezing.

LIZS · 26/10/2019 12:04

Agree there should be a manual control. It is going to get colder so possibly not worth a fuss.

CurryAndCobra · 26/10/2019 12:06

OP, my DSIL has this in her house. There is most definitely a thermostat somewhere.

Thehop · 26/10/2019 12:08

I would HATE this! If it’s air b n b can you ask for some of the money back?

gamerchick · 26/10/2019 12:08

Those who have this type of heating system. Where usually would the thermostat be? You could help the OP hunt it down.

I'd be putting it in my review of the place to warn other people tbh.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 26/10/2019 12:09

That's appalling, nobody wants that on holiday - YADNBU. They can appeal to guests' better natures not to leave it on all day when the place is unoccupied, but that's part of the deal - same as you could leave the cooker on all day if you chose to. Basic rule of thumb for a holiday let (as opposed to camping or a similar budget option) is surely that it mustn't be less comfortable than at home?

Owners have to expect it with winter bookings - that they can't charge nearly as much for rent as in peak season, but that people will also use a lot more heating (and a bit more lighting). Even if they don't get much more than covering their costs for the week, it must still be beneficial for the house for it to be lived in, to keep things ticking over. I think, in some holiday let scenarios, they have to make the place available to rent - and actually let it - for so many weeks during the year in order to qualify for tax reliefs, so you're also helping with that.

Of course, there's nothing stopping them from only offering it for rent from May to September if they want to.

LIZS · 26/10/2019 12:11

It will be somewhere central like a hallway. Hive is a small square box with central dial.

CatsForLife · 26/10/2019 12:12

OP - yeah I had this once. I was shocked like you. Seemed so odd. I also hated coming back to a cold house. BUT there was an over ride thermostat in the house.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 26/10/2019 12:15

Our new boiler is completely remote controlled, it has no physical thermostat. Took some getting used to Hmm There's a screen that tells you the temperature and when it's due to come on next, but you can't control the screen without the app...

That said, if anyone stays here, I'd give them access to the app. I'd feel really awkward about having to text someone and ask them to put the heating on... and if you're anywhere near me; it's miserable, wet and cold today!

Fig678 · 26/10/2019 12:16

Where in the country are you? Is it freezing?
Window open is obviously the solution if too hot, can’t see how it can be too cold between 10am-4pm (realistically 11ish before the house loses all the heat from the heating going off at 10?)

DishingOutDone · 26/10/2019 12:16

I had to leave a holiday rental because of that, the owners were in the house next door, it was snowing outside and we were freezing so we put a little fan heater on for half an hour. Later that day the owner "raided" our cottage and was waiting for DH brandishing the fan heater saying he'd caught us using all the electricity. We packed up that night and left next morning. I don't think an arrangement like that is ever going to work outside of summer.

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/10/2019 12:17

Our only thermostat is a wireless one (which can then also be operated remotely) so if theirs is similar it could be anywhere including a locked cupboard.

I think you have to expect higher heating bills with a holiday rental than you might if you lived there, it's just a cost of business

AutumnRose1 · 26/10/2019 12:20

OMD that's mad

if you can't control the heating in a holiday cottage and are at the mercy of the owner, it's not going to be popular with anyone, surely?!

Northernsoullover · 26/10/2019 12:20

I stayed in a b & b once which was just rooms, no owner on site (near Bristol airport) it had a Hive system and we could not turn it on. It was bloody freezing. I think its a dreadful way to treat your guests.

Disfordarkchocolate · 26/10/2019 12:20

That sounds awful and they're be getting a rubbish review from me. I rarely have the heating on during the day but when it's cold enough it goes on for half an hour or so. It's not a holiday if all you can do is go out or wrap yourself up in duvet for half the day, especially with a baby.

Ponoka7 · 26/10/2019 12:22

"can’t see how it can be too cold between 10am-4pm"

Perhaps not for healthy adults, but ypung children and the elderly, then it could be. Especially now we've moved away from carpets etc.

As said, you don't go on a break to be more uncomfortable, or you'd go camping at a fraction of the cost.

GinNotGym19 · 26/10/2019 12:24

I’d leave this as feedback but just say “owner does not let you control the heating yourself, they do it remotely from their app. If you want to change the heating you have to text her. This has been inconvenient and caused problems when we wanted to change the temperature at times we wasn’t able to contact her”

Dalooah · 26/10/2019 12:28

If it's an AirBnB, contact them and make a complaint. They'll help you sort it out with the owner. Tell them it's too cold for your kids and there's no way for you to control it to make it comfortable for yourselves. Surely being as cool/warm as you need is a basic requirement!

Moreisnnogedag · 26/10/2019 12:29

I doubt many people put the heating on at 2am!

My heating is on all day and night - it kicks in if the temp drops below 21.5deg. We move the thermostat to where we need it (usually ds2 bedroom). It often kicks in around midnight as the outside temp drops.

Ginfordinner · 26/10/2019 12:32

We have a Hive thermostat in our living room. I can control it here or remotely.

BumbleBeee69 · 26/10/2019 12:34

review it OP, and be honest in your feedback about the constant intrusion into your getaway.

Pud2 · 26/10/2019 12:34

Heating is such a personal thing. Personally I can’t bear the heating on at night and a thermostat set at 21.5 is too high for me. Very annoying to have no control over it as every guest will have different requirements.