Last edit by: jackal
We all suffered with the same issue at a meeting a couple of years ago at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago. The "VIP override" procedure I was able to get out of the maintenance personnel is as follows. I recall it was for an Inncom thermostat, it did work.
- While holding down "display"
- Press "off", then
- Press "Up" arrow
- Release "display" button
This enters the VIP mode which turns off the motion sensor, and allows a lower range of the thermostat so you can get the room really cold.
- While holding down "display"
- Press "off", then
- Press "Up" arrow
- Release "display" button
This enters the VIP mode which turns off the motion sensor, and allows a lower range of the thermostat so you can get the room really cold.
Disabling motion detector (PIR) in thermostats in hotels
#61
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,848
Exactly! I really don't get it. What is so complicated for you people to put the key into the slot? Are you running around with your key in the room? Actually the slot is very useful thing. You never have to search the room for the key.
I also don't get it. Why do you people think you need to keep the TV and all lights on in the room when you are not in the room.
I also don't get it. Why do you people think you need to keep the TV and all lights on in the room when you are not in the room.
#62
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: US Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,331
I've encountered many hotels with room-keys-for-power setups and I don't recall this system ever interfering with the A/C system. I typically keep my room like an igloo, as I generally sleep better in the cold and fighting jetlag is bad enough without worrying about room temperature.
#63
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Programs: UA 2P, AA LT Gold, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,158
I've been doing some reseach, and I read that a mylar ballon will trigger a PIR sensor. Hang the ballon near the sensor and let the air currents move it around, so the sensor will think somebody is always in the room.
I haven't verified this. But apparently mylar reflects infrared.
I haven't verified this. But apparently mylar reflects infrared.
#64
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Aylesbury, UK
Posts: 180
#66
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Programs: AA P4L, WN, BA, DL, UA, HHonors, IHG
Posts: 3,485
1. In some hotel rooms, the heat / AC goes off when you remove a card from a special slot near the entrance door. (In some hotels any card will work, in other hotels only the room key card will work.)
2. In some hotel rooms, the thermostat has a motion detector that shuts off the heat / AC if no motion is detected in the room.
Using a spare or second room card will solve the first problem.
Using an aluminized mylar balloon will solve the second.
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
My one and only complaint about my multi-thousand dollar stay at WDW was that after sweating all day in the Orlando humidity, my family returned to a room that was almost as warm and humid as being outside. If I'd wanted that, I would have camped in a tent instead of booking an expensive room.
#68
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,566
Great tips/thoughts/comments thus far. Does anyone know what brand thermostat/control the Disney ones mentioned are? I'm adding the keystrokes from these to my Blackberry for further reference.
I've only encountered two hotels which had these miserable devices (occupancy sensor thermostats) in them and absolutely hated it. Woke up in the middle of the night struggling to breathe because my nose had become stuffed up from the high humidity. Fortunately I was only in both of them for one night each so I didn't bother to reengineer them.
I don't think people would mind things like this as much if they were done properly. For example, my homes' HVAC systems are tied into the alarm system. When I arm the system with "away", it automatically dials back the thermostat a few degrees. When I set the alarm to "off" or "home" it puts it back. 2-3 degrees doesn't make a huge difference when coming in from outside, but it's very noticeable on my electric bill. 8-10+ degrees will make a huge difference in comfort 'though.
I'd also hate to see them retrofit some of the older hotels in NYC with these. I've stayed in a few hotels where running the AC flat-out 24/7 with the curtains fully drawn was the only way to keep the room comfortable at night.
I've only encountered two hotels which had these miserable devices (occupancy sensor thermostats) in them and absolutely hated it. Woke up in the middle of the night struggling to breathe because my nose had become stuffed up from the high humidity. Fortunately I was only in both of them for one night each so I didn't bother to reengineer them.
I don't think people would mind things like this as much if they were done properly. For example, my homes' HVAC systems are tied into the alarm system. When I arm the system with "away", it automatically dials back the thermostat a few degrees. When I set the alarm to "off" or "home" it puts it back. 2-3 degrees doesn't make a huge difference when coming in from outside, but it's very noticeable on my electric bill. 8-10+ degrees will make a huge difference in comfort 'though.
I'd also hate to see them retrofit some of the older hotels in NYC with these. I've stayed in a few hotels where running the AC flat-out 24/7 with the curtains fully drawn was the only way to keep the room comfortable at night.
Last edited by KRSW; Sep 25, 2008 at 3:57 am
#69
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SEA
Posts: 48
These thermostats can be costly in ways the hotels aren't thinking about. I had the misfortune to be in a resort outside PHX with this type of system. The resort allowed pets.
One person attending the weeklong convention over the Fourth of July had her elderly cat with her (17). She found out the hard way that her room thermostat reset, not to 85 or higher, but OFF, each and every time she left the room - as soon as you locked the door behind you, off it went! This was in an expensive resort with villas - all pet rooms were in the villas. In Phoenix the summer temperature routinely gets up to 110+ in July's daytime and can still be over 105 at midnight. Each villa was exposed on at least 3 sides to the brutal sun. I had a lip balm melt on the bathroom counter - honest.
Her cat nearly died from heatstroke, since she was from PDX. Two dogs also had problems.
The resort was forced to pick up some expensive vet bills from their thermostats, yet still takes pets - and doesn't tell you about the little programmable thermostat problem. This was four years ago. Although all the affected pet owners tried to get news coverage and/or print coverage of the problem, nobody seemed to be interested.
Unless we refuse to put up with the things, hotels will just continue to install them. I'm just offended when I pay $300 or more for a room and can't get it cold! I've had to resort to outright threats to keep maids from opening my curtains, and taping a large 'don't touch' sign over the thermostat in many hotels.
I keep a list of those hotels, and if I don't have to stay there twice, I DON'T. I tell everyone I know about them, too.
Thanks to the posters who listed the Disney and Inncom workarounds; if anyone else knows some, I for one am all ears! Two new items in the Air Boss: mylar balloon w' string? Check! A fake card? Check! (Duct tape, orange paper, heavy carpet thread with needle, already in there. I've SEWN curtains together when maids just don't listen.)
One person attending the weeklong convention over the Fourth of July had her elderly cat with her (17). She found out the hard way that her room thermostat reset, not to 85 or higher, but OFF, each and every time she left the room - as soon as you locked the door behind you, off it went! This was in an expensive resort with villas - all pet rooms were in the villas. In Phoenix the summer temperature routinely gets up to 110+ in July's daytime and can still be over 105 at midnight. Each villa was exposed on at least 3 sides to the brutal sun. I had a lip balm melt on the bathroom counter - honest.
Her cat nearly died from heatstroke, since she was from PDX. Two dogs also had problems.
The resort was forced to pick up some expensive vet bills from their thermostats, yet still takes pets - and doesn't tell you about the little programmable thermostat problem. This was four years ago. Although all the affected pet owners tried to get news coverage and/or print coverage of the problem, nobody seemed to be interested.
Unless we refuse to put up with the things, hotels will just continue to install them. I'm just offended when I pay $300 or more for a room and can't get it cold! I've had to resort to outright threats to keep maids from opening my curtains, and taping a large 'don't touch' sign over the thermostat in many hotels.
I keep a list of those hotels, and if I don't have to stay there twice, I DON'T. I tell everyone I know about them, too.
Thanks to the posters who listed the Disney and Inncom workarounds; if anyone else knows some, I for one am all ears! Two new items in the Air Boss: mylar balloon w' string? Check! A fake card? Check! (Duct tape, orange paper, heavy carpet thread with needle, already in there. I've SEWN curtains together when maids just don't listen.)
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,899
I'm lost here - why is this a problem? Someone would need to get into the room to get your keycard. meaning they already have acess to the room that your keycard gets them access to. The keycard buys them nothing they don't already have.
#71
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,999
But they have a keycard linked to themselves. When they take your keycard and use it, then it looks like it's you entering your room. Or they can give your keycard to a confederate, thus destroying any link with themselves.
#72
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1
Mylar balloons and post-its.
As a Former CO employee and current retiree I now work for a company that is supplying these type of controls to the hotel industry. You would be appaled at the amount of energy a hotel uses to keep it's rooms cool. Some of the hotels are 5 times what my house power bill is every month, just for one room, 300 sq feet. $5-600 per month, per room in some cases.
Here's what we have noticed and we value all your complaints about these systems, I have been following this thread since April sometime.
Correct me if I am wrong-
1- Guests want control of the room when you are in the room.
2- the hotel wants to save energy (money) when you are not in the room. (ok all the time)
3- the hotel (in most cases) does not want to upset you
4- motion sensors that determine occupnacy make people angry in the middle of the night when the AC shuts off.
5- traveling with a mylar balloon seems funny to me.
6- key card based occupancy systems work well if they do NOT shut off an AC (maybe set back the temperature)
over riding the keycard system is easy enough, like somebody said a FF card in the slot works, it doesn't help reduce consumption though.
Our company has so far avoided all the negative things and focused on the guest oriented side, luckily I can't count how many hotels I have been in and we have used that experience to develop the system.
Any complaints about this type of system?
1- key card slot by the wall
2- AC set back to a reasonable 78 in the summer 64 in the winter when no keycard is in the slot
2.5- you control the temperature when the key card is in the slot.
3- Balcony door open for 2 minutes or more sets back temperature until door is closed.
4- Do not shut off the outlets so you can charge anything or leave something plugged in.
5-we turn off the TV.
I am really interested to hear what the professional hotel guests have to say.
Thanks!
Tdavis
RoomEnergy
Here's what we have noticed and we value all your complaints about these systems, I have been following this thread since April sometime.
Correct me if I am wrong-
1- Guests want control of the room when you are in the room.
2- the hotel wants to save energy (money) when you are not in the room. (ok all the time)
3- the hotel (in most cases) does not want to upset you
4- motion sensors that determine occupnacy make people angry in the middle of the night when the AC shuts off.
5- traveling with a mylar balloon seems funny to me.
6- key card based occupancy systems work well if they do NOT shut off an AC (maybe set back the temperature)
over riding the keycard system is easy enough, like somebody said a FF card in the slot works, it doesn't help reduce consumption though.
Our company has so far avoided all the negative things and focused on the guest oriented side, luckily I can't count how many hotels I have been in and we have used that experience to develop the system.
Any complaints about this type of system?
1- key card slot by the wall
2- AC set back to a reasonable 78 in the summer 64 in the winter when no keycard is in the slot
2.5- you control the temperature when the key card is in the slot.
3- Balcony door open for 2 minutes or more sets back temperature until door is closed.
4- Do not shut off the outlets so you can charge anything or leave something plugged in.
5-we turn off the TV.
I am really interested to hear what the professional hotel guests have to say.
Thanks!
Tdavis
RoomEnergy
Last edited by tdavis; Oct 10, 2008 at 2:09 pm Reason: unclear.
#74
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BMI
Programs: AA
Posts: 3
#75
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
...Any complaints about this type of system?
1- key card slot by the wall
2- AC set back to a reasonable 78 in the summer 64 in the winter when no keycard is in the slot
2.5- you control the temperature when the key card is in the slot.
3- Balcony door open for 2 minutes or more sets back temperature until door is closed.
4- Do not shut off the outlets so you can charge anything or leave something plugged in.
5-we turn off the TV.
I am really interested to hear what the professional hotel guests have to say.
Thanks!
Tdavis
RoomEnergy
1- key card slot by the wall
2- AC set back to a reasonable 78 in the summer 64 in the winter when no keycard is in the slot
2.5- you control the temperature when the key card is in the slot.
3- Balcony door open for 2 minutes or more sets back temperature until door is closed.
4- Do not shut off the outlets so you can charge anything or leave something plugged in.
5-we turn off the TV.
I am really interested to hear what the professional hotel guests have to say.
Thanks!
Tdavis
RoomEnergy
Get much more powerful A/C systems that will cool a room down quickly and then we can talk. Until then I want to be able to leave the A/C on at a temperature I choose. I would agree to leaving it on at a slightly higher temperature while I'm out of the room and then have it finish off the last couple degrees of cooling when I get back. But 78 degrees is much too high. Sorry.
And let me leave the fan on if I choose regardless of temperature. Having that fan go on and off during the night is a guaranteed way to ruin a good night's sleep.
Last edited by Westcoaster; Oct 12, 2008 at 10:37 am Reason: to better quote original post