Drinking plenty of healthy, hydrating water is important, especially for families on vacation. Installing water filters at your Airbnb or VRBO vacation rental property is important to ensure that your guests have plenty of quality water at their fingertips.
Not only does convenient on-tap drinking water save your guests money and inconvenience from buying bottled water, quality water in general is an important link in providing that premium hosting experience that guests appreciate.
Furthermore, because there are more options than ever before for vacationers to pick from, rental property owners know they must do their best to maintain an excellent reputation to keep guests interested and coming back.
This article will focus on benefits of installing water filters for vacation rentals, as well as common water problems that can be addressed with such filters. And since vacation rentals are often located in off-the-beaten-path areas, many of them may rely on private wells for water supply, which bring their own unique challenges. See below common issues and solutions for both well and public water scenarios.
Benefits of water filters for Airbnb guests
Safe and sanitary water.
Safety for guests is something every good host values. There are various water contaminants that aren’t detectable to the five senses, such as pathogenic bacteria, lead, nitrates, etc. The highest risk scenarios would be if the water source is a private well.
The best way to tell if any harmful substances are present in your water is by performing applicable water tests. Or you can get your water supply analyzed by a water treatment professional to determine your water supply’s risk factor.
A simple and essential tool to provide insurance against pathogenic bacteria is a whole house UV disinfection and filter system. These systems are easy to maintain if designed correctly. They provide simple, non-invasive water disinfection using ultraviolet rays, giving you peace of mind that your guests are protected from disease causing bacteria.
Fresh water with no bad odors
The quality of taste and smell of the water in your guest home can sometimes make the difference between a happy guest or a dissatisfied one.
Commonly, private well water can contain sulfur, known by its distinctive “rotten egg” smell, which creates a very offensive taste and odor.
If your home is on municipal water, it likely has a chlorine residual for disinfection purposes. The smell and taste of chlorine may be unpleasant to guests, depending on the level.
The good news is, a whole house filtration system is very effective at removing these odors, if designed and installed correctly. The result? Fresh, clean water that your guests will appreciate.
Clear, clean, soft water
On private wells, do be aware of common issues like colloidal clay, iron, etc. which can cause cloudy water and stains. Cloudy water looks impure and disgusting, making it very important to address, in order to meet the expectations of your customers. Iron stains can make cleaning much more work.
Hard water is often found in both public and private water sources, and causes a list of problems, such as dry skin and hair, chalky water deposits and stains, poor laundry and washing performance, poor soap lathering, premature appliance failure, lowered efficiency of water heaters, and more.
By installing a water softener and filtration system, you can ensure that soft, clean, clear water is delivered to the entire home. Your guests will love the experience of soft skin after bathing or showering in softened water. There will be huge benefits for you as the property owner as well. Soft water can reduce energy costs from water heaters, extend appliance life, and make cleaning easier, thanks to less stains and soaps working better. Don’t forget that clean, clear water will pay off hugely in the form of satisfied guests.
Convenient drinking water on tap
Guests will feel very inconvenienced if they find that the water in the home is not drinkable because of offensive taste. Some hosts choose to provide complimentary bottled water for their guests to combat these concerns. Bottled water has the disadvantages of being expensive, bothersome to supply, and wasteful.
Installing an under-sink drinking water system (such as a reverse osmosis system for drinking water) is an amenity that guests will love. It provides crisp, bottled water taste and quality, delivered at a drinking water faucet, dispensed from a refrigerator, or hooked to an icemaker.
Market your water filtration system as an amenity.
- Highlight the benefits of your water filtration system on your property listing. Your guests will love the idea of convenient drinking water, since it will save both them as the guest and you as the homeowner from buying bottled water. Also it will reduce plastic bottle waste.
- Showcase the filters and the value it provides by including photos of the installed system and/or description of how it delivers drinkable water. (If promoting safe drinking water, do make sure that the system is functioning properly by doing follow-up certified water tests.)
- By making guests aware of the value you are bringing, this will help you to capture more bookings and increase your rental revenue.
Maintaining the Water Filters in Your Airbnb.
- All water systems require maintenance, whether it’s refilling a water softener with salt, or replacing water filters when necessary.
- Develop a maintenance schedule that to adhere to that will keep you from forgetting when important maintenance it due.
- If doing your own water system maintenance is out of your comfort zone, sign up with your local water treatment professional, who can provide scheduled maintenance for you, based on your property’s unique needs.
Maintenance Tips
Here are a few simple, water-related tips to think about, as you endeavor to deliver the best experiences for your valued guests.
- Make sure the water pressure is sufficient and comes fast enough at all faucets. If your water source is a private well, be certain that it produces enough water for the peak number of guest your property can entertain.
- If your home is only in use part of the year, prepare for the first renters of the season by flushing all water faucets to bring in fresh water and make sure that the water runs clear at every faucet.
- Make sure that your water system doesn’t have air bubbles in the lines. Pressurized air can cause annoying gurgling and spitting at showerheads and faucets.
- Make sure that all components of the water systems such as pumps, backwashing filters, heaters, etc. are located in an insulated mechanical room, or in a basement, to reduce noise and increase visitors’ comfort.
- Conveniently supply your guests with ice and cold refreshing water with a refrigerator dispenser and icemaker, and a drinking water RO system for premium results.
- Make sure to properly maintain any water filtration or conditioning system. A poorly maintained system is not much better than no system at all.
If you have questions or concerns, reach out to your local water conditioning professional. They can test your water supply and evaluate any existing system. Many of these companies offer water tests, recommendations, and quotes. If the company is reputable, they should be able to supply you with a solution that meets your and your guests’ needs.
At Aquanology, we offer water testing and recommendations and installation of water conditioning and filtration equipment. We also strive to provide affordable and flexible service plans. We provide not only recurring maintenances on a planned schedule, but also last-minute emergency calls for unexpected needs. We’d be happy to see if our services are a fit for you. Contact us today!
Happy Hosting!
