If you’ve already set up the basics—smart locks, thermostats, and lighting—you’re ahead of the pack. But there’s so much more you can do to improve energy efficiency, guest satisfaction, and remote management.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through advanced Airbnb automations designed for hosts who want to go beyond the essentials. All of these automations can be easily configured with a smart home system like SmartThings or Google Home. These next-level smart home strategies can help you automate more, worry less, and give guests a 5-star experience without extra effort.
1. Auto-Shutoff for Bathroom Fans
Guests and cleaners often leave bathroom fans running for hours—wasting energy and shortening fan lifespan.
💡 Automation Idea: Install a smart switch on the bathroom fan and set it to turn off automatically after 60 minutes. It’s a small change that saves energy and prevents unnecessary wear and tear.
2. Pause HVAC When Doors or Windows Are Left Open
One of the most powerful smart home automation tips for Airbnb hosts: stop your HVAC from working overtime when guests leave a door or window open.
💡 How it works: Connect door/window sensors to your smart thermostat. If a door or window is open for 5+ minutes, automatically pause heating or cooling. Resume once it’s closed.
It’s a smart way to cut costs without impacting the guest experience.
3. Group Lights for Mood and Efficiency
Lighting can make or break a first impression. Create lighting groups—such as driveway lights, entryway lights, and landscape lighting—that turn on and off together. This can allow you to group lights to turn on and off together that aren’t on the same circuit, while also giving you the control to manage automatic on and off times.
💡 Advanced setup: Trigger these lighting scenes based on sunset, guest arrival, or even check-in time pulled from your booking calendar (if using a platform like Rental Home Automator).
This type of automation enhances your brand and makes your Airbnb feel intentional and polished, eliminating dark spots and creating a welcoming experience.
4. Virtual Three-Way Switches (No Rewiring Required)
Older homes often lack three-way switch wiring where it’s needed most—like hallways or staircases.
💡 Solution: Use two smart switches to create a wireless three-way circuit. Now guests can control the same light from multiple locations, improving usability and reducing late-night frustration.
This is one of those smart automations for vacation rentals that truly improves comfort without major renovations.
5. Temperature-Based Control for Heated Mats or Roof Tape
In cold climates, safety features like heated doormats or roof heat tape are essential—but running them 24/7 wastes energy.
💡 Smart automation idea: Use outdoor temperature sensors to control these systems. For example:
- Turn on below 35°F
- Turn off above 45°F
This balances safety and energy savings without manual intervention.
6. Trigger Lights When Guests Arrive at Night
You don’t need to leave all your lights on every night—but guests should never walk into a dark house.
💡 Automate it: When your smart lock is unlocked after sunset, turn on a few lights around the house or create a welcome lighting scene. It’s a subtle upgrade that improves guest satisfaction and security.
Bonus tip: Provide access to your smart switch so guests can override or dim lights if they want.
Why These Automations Work Better with Rental Home Automator
Here’s what makes these advanced Airbnb automations truly next-level: Rental Home Automator connects directly to your booking calendar to control all of these devices—something most platforms can’t do. That means:
- Lights, HVAC, and water systems activate only when the home is booked
- Devices shut down automatically at checkout
- You don’t need presence sensors or manual schedules
It’s not just smart—it’s rental-aware automation.
If you’re ready to move beyond basic automations and build a truly intelligent property, these advanced smart home automations for short-term rentals will elevate your hosting game.
Whether you want to automate your Airbnb property more efficiently or add thoughtful touches that guests remember, Rental Home Automator gives you the tools to do it—smarter, cleaner, and hands-free.
Explore our recommended smart devices and see how you can combine hardware and automation to create a better rental experience—for you and your guests.
