Energy costs in your holiday home: how to keep them under control

Energy is one of the biggest fixed costs of a holiday home. Yet it often gets less attention than prices or reviews. That is a pity, because a property that stands empty for days can use a lot without anyone noticing. And a guest who leaves the heating on with the window open notices nothing of it themselves.

The good news: with a few targeted measures, you remove a lot of waste. You do not need to start renovating straight away. In this article, we go through what you can tackle now, in April 2026, before the busy season begins.

Smart thermostat and schedules between stays

The biggest gain is usually in the heating. A traditional thermostat is often set to a fixed temperature, even when nobody is there. In a holiday home, that is unnecessary.

A smart thermostat lets you control the property remotely. Between two stays, you turn the temperature down. A few hours before the next guest arrives, the property warms up again. That way the guest arrives in a comfortable house, and you do not pay for empty days.

A few tips for setting it up:

• Set a low base temperature for days without guests, high enough to prevent damp and frost.
• Start warming up in time. A large, old house needs more time than a small flat.
• Set a maximum temperature that guests cannot exceed. A comfortable upper limit is enough.
• Let the heating drop back automatically to the low setting after departure.

Some systems link to your booking calendar. Then this happens automatically. If not, make adjusting it at every changeover a fixed habit.

Setting up your heat pump or boiler properly

If your property has a heat pump, it works best at a stable, low temperature. Large swings cost a lot of energy. With a heat pump, do not let the property cool down completely between short stays. A slight reduction is often cheaper than warming up again every time.

With a gas or oil boiler, it is different. There it pays to turn things down more clearly between stays. Also have the boiler checked every year by a professional. A well-adjusted boiler uses less and breaks down less often. A breakdown at full occupancy also costs you an unhappy guest.

During the service, also ask about the water temperature of the heating. If it is higher than necessary, you use more than you need to. Your installer can set this correctly for your property.

Quick wins with insulation

Major insulation works are a separate decision. But there are also small measures that pay off quickly:

• Draught strips on windows and external doors.
• A draught excluder under the front door or patio door.
• Radiator foil behind radiators on an external wall.
• Thick curtains that guests can close in the evening.
• An insulated hatch to the loft.

These are jobs of a few hours. They also increase comfort, and guests notice that. You rarely read about a property without cold draughts as a complaint in a review.

Are you thinking of bigger works, such as roof insulation or new windows? Then plan them in a quiet period. The EPC of your property gives a first picture of where the biggest losses are. For the rules and possible obligations around renovation, it is best to ask an energy expert or your municipality for advice.

Lighting and appliances

Replace all old bulbs with LED. That is a small investment with a quick result, especially in properties where guests leave many lights on. Choose warm white light, so the atmosphere stays cosy.

Look at the appliances too. An old fridge or freezer often uses much more than a new model. Is there a second fridge in the garage that is rarely used? Switch it off between stays, or remove it.

A few more points to watch:

• Leave the dishwasher and washing machine set to an eco programme by default.
• Use timers for outdoor lighting, so it does not stay on all night.
• Switch appliances such as a second television or a coffee machine off completely after each departure.
• With a sauna or hot tub, check how long it stays at temperature without being used.

Hot water

Hot water is an underestimated cost, especially with large groups. A water heater that stays at a high temperature day and night loses a lot of energy. Have a professional set the temperature correctly. Too low is not good for hygiene, too high is wasteful.

A water-saving shower head is a simple measure. Choose a model that still gives a pleasant flow. Guests who complain about a weak shower will say so in their review too.

If you have an electric water heater, a timer can help. That way it only heats when needed.

Guest behaviour: inform kindly, do not police

Guests are on holiday. They do not want to feel that they are being watched. Still, you can steer their behaviour in the right direction with a friendly tone.

A short note or a line in your welcome guide often works better than a long list of rules. For example: "Would you mind turning the heating down a little when you go out? That keeps the house pleasant and helps us save energy together." A sentence like that feels like a request, not a ban.

Other ideas:

• Explain how the thermostat works, with a simple explanation or photo.
• Ask guests to close windows when the heating is on.
• Mention where the switch for the outdoor lighting is.

Avoid threatening language or extra charges for consumption, unless you state this clearly in advance in your terms. A guest who feels welcome usually takes good care of the property.

Tracking consumption per stay

What you do not measure is hard to improve. So note the meter readings at every arrival and every departure. A digital meter or smart plug makes this easier.

After a few months, you will see patterns. Which stays use a striking amount? Is it with large groups, in certain months, or with week-long stays? With those insights, you can better match your prices to the real cost of a stay. And you see more quickly when something is wrong, such as a leaking tap or an appliance that is not working properly.

Getting started before the season

Start with the simplest steps: a smart thermostat, LED and draught strips. Then plan the service of your boiler or heat pump and review your appliances. Discuss bigger works with an expert.

A property that is monitored well remotely uses less and gives guests more comfort. YourDomi plans maintenance through regular tradespeople and sends you a monthly overview per property, so you see costs and income side by side. Would you like to know what that could mean for your property? Request a personal proposal.