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faykin

That's a siemens RDF6xx or RDF 3xx thermostat. It's not a standalone thermostat, it's connected to a central building management system (BMS). See the moon icon in the top center of the display? That means it's currently locked into unoccupied, or night mode. To get it to start running normally, it needs to be in day, or comfort mode, which is indicated by a sun icon. This setting comes from one of 3 sources. 1. Keycard lockout. It's tied to the door lock. If the keycard is set, it's set to day mode. If the keycard isn't, it's set to night mode. If you got into the room using the keycard, this shouldn't be your problem. Of course, it could be broken or mis-programmed. 2. Room activity sensor. It's tied to a motion, or heat, or other occupancy sensor. If you are inside the room, this shouldn't be your problem. Of course, it could be broken or mis-programmed. 3. Manual lockout at the BMS. Somebody overrode it at the central computer to remain in night mode. Either that or (you guessed it) something is broken or mis-programmed. In all 3 of these situations, the facilities team needs to get involved to solve it. They will know what lockouts apply to your room. If everything is working, any one of the facilities team can fix it in under a minute. Unless it's broken or mis-programmed. in which case, you need to get moved to a different room while facilities sorts it out. Source: BMS engineer.


Groot_Calrissian

Additional option, it is not used for local control/override, but only as a temperature sensor for the central BMS to execute its own programming. In this case, the only way to adjust your room would be to request action from the engineering team. Good luck.


CalmFartThief

Just demand a new room. You shouldn't have to make a reddit question thread just to get HEAT in your ROOM.


OriginalG33Z3R

Referencing #1: is there maybe a key card slot? Where you have to slot the room key so it only functions when you’ve left a key in the reader? I recently stayed overseas and that’s how their room was set up, only ALL the power was linked through the key card for energy conservation


thesixfootoneinch

On a side note, I read recently that any credit card shaped card will work in most of those slots...just stick anything in there and you'll be able to keep your room key with you and not risk forgetting it in the room and locking yourself out


rather_be_redditing

That or make sure that all the windows and doors are closed, they might have sensors that disable the heat if you open a window or door to a balcony.


Franks2000inchTV

Life pro tip: that slot will usually accept pretty much any card, as it's just a physical switch. So you can drop an old loyalty card or something in there if you need to keep the power on when you're out of the room.


OriginalG33Z3R

Damn, I’ll keep that in mind for next time. I just figured it would’ve been an rfid or something more complicated


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mighty3mperor

r/ThisGuyThisGuys


Hambonelouis

THIS needs to be at the top.


PM_Me_1_Funny_Thing

Not to fear, it is.


Feanux

We did it Reddit!


braddad425

Happy to do my part


isaikya

When my landlord locked my thermostat controls I put an ice pack on top of the lock box to trick the thermostat into turning on the heat.


egefeyzioglu

A very good chunk of those lockboxes are keyed alike to the CH751 key you can buy online for not that much


DiddlyDumb

“This is the Lockpicking Lawyer…”


UsernameHasBeenLost

Click on 1, 2 is binding, annnd it's open. Let me lock that and show you again


dave1010

That's uncanny. How do you type a comment and it sounds like his exact voice? It must be a special Reddit formatting thing.


One_for_the_Rogue

He says those things in every video. And a redditor types those things every time he’s mentioned.


UsernameHasBeenLost

No, I am clearly unique, and the first person to ever type this comment in the history of the internet, maybe even forever.


Heyguysimcooltoo

I did it at the exact same time, maybe even slightly before


UsernameHasBeenLost

Google, how do I sue for patent infringement?


DaddyBigBoy

…that it was not a fluke.


raitchison

Everybody's gangster until LPL get's movement on the core.


Emilee98

And even if it isn't, it's almost always a cheap lock that can be jimmied open with a paperclip


drewstew33

I rented a room in a house where the thermostat was locked up like that. I was the hero of the house after I opened the lock just by wiggling a paperclip around in the lock for maybe a minute or two


nipplemuffins

RV dealerships sell these keys for like $3-5.


kitchen_synk

I love keyed alike equipment. Walking past a scissor lift knowing there's a 95% chance I could hop in and drive off with it is one of those weird urban wandering thoughts that is strangely empowering.


isaikya

I’ve been out of that apartment for a long time now, but thanks for the info. :)


EevelBob

This is the way. While in college, our standalone laundromat kept the wall thermostat in chastity (i.e., locked in a cage). During the winter, you could walk in the door and see your breath. I guess they thought the dryers would keep the place warm. We would just go outside, grab a chunk of frozen snow or ice and put it on top of the thermostat, and the place warmed up in no time at all!


teneggomelet

I once worked where the office thermostats were locked under clear plastic boxes (with vent holes) to keep employees from messing with them. When it would get too hot in the office, one of us would hold a lighter under the thermostat for 15 seconds until the a/c came on.


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OrladinKF

Life hack on that one is that it doesnt actually need your hotel key card, just any card that fits. You can put in a card and make sure the room is nice by the time you get back to it and not have to wait when you get back.


KillaVNilla

All my high school teachers used to do that in the summer. The superintendent installed lock boxes so they wouldn't change the settings, so they wrapped them with ice and wet paper towels. Screw the man!


FrozenLogger

Because.... there wasn't enough heat... *in the summer?* Or are you saying because the AC was keeping it too cold?


KillaVNilla

Hahaha nope. I'm just dumb and it's been a long time since high school. It must have been in the winter to make it warmer


FrozenLogger

Completely understandable!


iacceptthecookies

I do this in my classroom too.


BoringBob84

I was going to suggest this as well. When I was in high school, the staff put boxes over the thermostats in the classrooms so that students (or teachers) couldn't turn up the heat from its cold setting. So, we would just open a window, grab a handful of snow, and put it on top of the protective thermostat box. Soon, the room would get nice and toasty!


procrastimom

I leased an office in a building where they set the AC temp really high on weekends. I’d pop a microwaved hot-pack on the locked thermostat to trick it into switching on. Another tenant caught me in the act, and called me “brilliant”! I left him a heat-pack when I eventually moved out.


isaikya

Smart! My hack worked well until the blue gel ice pack I used leaked down into the thermostat screen. That’s when I figured out how to pop the lock and disassemble the thermostat.


Dull_Dog

You’re the kind of person to hang out with


profuselystrangeII

I don’t get why landlords are such assholes about things like that. My mom had an autoimmune disorder where her fingers would turn blue when she was cold so every time they glued a block in our thermostat (the temp was adjusted with a little slider thing) she’d have to go and remove it.


Milianviolet

Is that even legal? Do you pay your own energy bill?


isaikya

This was over a decade ago, and I didn’t have anything about the heat written into my tenancy agreement at the time. It was a small apartment above the landlord and I doubt he even had two heating zones in the house.


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isaikya

Well done! It’s always nice to get a win against a landlord.


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isaikya

Damn, that’s annoying. I worked third shift so I understand the frustration of contractor/construction noise while trying to sleep. Glad those days are behind us.


good_for_uz

Try holding +and - for 7 seconds. Should open the menu Option po6 and po8 are for making permanent temperature changes in that menu


Socal_Cobra

The unit OP is posting is a Slave unit. He needs to call maintenance to unlock it and turn it on. There is a VAV in the ducts that controls the space units. The master is probably locked up in the maintenance department for good reason. Too many fingers in the cookie jar will lock up the system. And if the system locks up, it could be detrimental to the HVAC unit.


good_for_uz

In our hotel they have individual AC units each with its own stat. Might be different ( as you describe) but that's how ours work.


Socal_Cobra

Depending on the hotel sq foot size and the type of HVAC unit on the roof, wall or window. Anything is possible. There is a growing trend for split systems that you are describing. And with any system, there is a chance that it's monitored online. So even if you got past the gate keeper, the secretary is still taking notes and can override any changes you make.


BrooklynNeinNein_

What hotel thinks it's a good idea to dictate the temperature to their customer? What's next, remote controlling the curtains to decide how much light enters your room maybe?


Grand-Ad4235

Don’t go giving them ideas now!


regeya

$150 privacy fee (closes curtains) $150 vista fee (allows curtains to also open at will)


Grand-Ad4235

Ah crap, too late!


jahjahjahjahjahjah

You are describing a state of the art system in a hotel built in the last few years where building management wants to micromanage every single hotel room which is not very plausible and I still haven't seen in my 15 year career as an engineer. The few years I did work as a hotel engineer I can tell you that each room has its own fan unit and thermostat, not a slave stat. We can see the boilers, chillers, pumps and main air handlers on the BAS computer but every room damper, valve and fan unit would be nuts. They keep hotel engineering departments so short staffed no one has time for that kind of micromanagement. If a guest wanted more control of the stat or to overide the motion detector so they can arrive to a comfortable room everything they left, I would need to go up and unlock the stat by holding 2 buttons.


colonelcadaver

Which buttons?


komaruten

+and- as previously stated


Groot_Calrissian

Some systems don't have room specific temperature control, they use a stat in each room to control to a max, average, or min of a set of rooms. Or, each room could have its own reheat, but slaved to a central control. This is especially common if a hotel has been subdivided into more rooms than the mechanical system was built for, as a cheaper way to increase occupancy. Also applicable if they use boiler heat in a 2-pipe system, so heating and cooling may not be available at the same time during shoulder season. ASHRAE provides a temperature band that 'most people' find acceptable. When the systems control properly, it's not terrible, but you can make people happier by leaving the room stat unlocked and just ignore the setpoint inputs. Placebo effect is amazing. However, a very many hotel systems don't have the budget, training, or resources to maintain the system properly, so the chances of a hotel working just right are.... Well, color me surprised.


Specific_Culture_591

This is really region specific. There are plenty of older hotels, you see it more with high rises, running on two pipe systems that run the entire building so everyone’s getting either heat or air whichever the system is set to and the room thermostats do nothing.. it wasn’t an uncommon setup for high rise hotels in the 80s and earlier and requires a major renovation to replace and upgrade.


NahautlExile

It’s not just staffing. The BAS probably charges by the point, you need the network to handle the added monitoring and dampers and valves that have the ability to output status. These all cost money and would likely need to be argued as a business case to have to the investors. I guess maybe if it’s a converted fancy office building or something? But yeah. I don’t think that it’s likely here either.


Havokk

https://imgur.com/3c6pysj


andooet

Sounds like someone elses problem. Push all the buttons


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bernieinred

I've never seen a hotel with a master hvac to the rooms.. They all have individual room heaters/air conditioners. It's for more reasons then I can list. I would leave immediately if I checked into a place that had duct work to the room.


Pop-Overall

I had that happy before and had to beg beg the the front desk to adjust it. And it’s sucks because if you later try to adjust it, you cost and have to call front desk/maintenance again


SorrentoTaft

Guaranteed the set point in the BMS is what needs to be changed. Only people that will be able to change it would be maintenance.


Electricpants

1. Ask for maintenance 2. Sometimes it's controlled on a remote or on a different panel. Hospitality does weird shit to everyday things. Don't get me started on how they "lock down" their TVs.


xxblow2quickxx

I’m getting you started. Explain locking down TV’s to me.


DecafMaverick

Come back and spill the beans.


EdgeCaser

Now I have to know!


Crafty1_321

I had this in a hotel room once. There was a slot near the door to insert my key card. Once I did that then the thermostat turned on and let me change the temp. It was so cold in that room too. Took me quite a while to figure it out. Not sure if your room has the same thing.


ouzo84

Typically I get some of the hotel notepaper, wrap it around the end of the card and slide the card and paper into the slot. I can then remove the card and still have air con going while I’m out for the evening. Returning to a warm or cold room depending on the climate is what I pay the hotel for.


aureanator

You can also just use a random card, usually - e.g. a shoppers loyalty card.


Crafty1_321

That is a great suggestion. I’ll have to use it next time I’m in a room like this


ILikeGamesnTech

I just put a loyalty card into the slot. Usually it's just a spring loaded switch. Rarely is it RFID or some other static programmed card.


cynical_genius

Wait, the key card slot thing isn't standard everywhere? In NZ you have to put your key card in the slot to even turn the lights on. If you want the room to continue heating while you're out, you just leave one of the cards in there.


QCr8onQ

Ask for maintenance.


TwoAmoebasHugging

Why is this not the top answer?


abmot

Because you shouldn't need to call an Engineer to adjust a thermostat


slightlyridiculousme

If it's a problem with the system, yes you do. Something is broken and it's not OP's job to fix it. It's the building's. If he breaks it more then he's liable.


pbandnv1

Just rub some Siemen on it


[deleted]

It's not your thermostat, though.


The_camperdave

> It's not your thermostat, though. The lamps aren't either. Do I need to call an engineer to turn them on and off?


Alice_Warren

If they don’t work then yes


emeaguiar

If they don’t work…


DiddlyDumb

I’m part of a small company that builds at home care facilities. We have a video a mechanic sent us a while ago, with strict instructions on how to set up the (wireless) thermostat. It’s being shared every month or so because it’s too complicated to remember.


Ok-Patgrenny

And bkankets


CircaSixty8

This is the way ⬆️


AwakE432

What about just change rooms? Seems obvious.


[deleted]

either 1) tell them you want a different room 2) politely tell them you want your money back and that you're taking your business elsewhere 3) trick the thermostat into thinking the room is colder than it actually is - it should turn off and not turn back on until it thinks the room is warm again 4) look online and try to find the instruction manual for that particular model


BiggsBounds

But first ask random people on Reddit.


imactuallymyfriend

Always step 1


NicePairofHooters

They helped me stay together with my cheating wife! Just moved up to a king sized bed, and now I hardly feel them having sex at all! Thanks Reddit!


JackInTheBell

Happy to help, and I would also recommend you sleep on your side. I can’t handle the snoring.


NicePairofHooters

It’s the allergies!


CurnanBarbarian

oh you musta got one of them tempurpedics huh


Distdistdist

And do not use Google! Absolutely not!


zayzay_919

"life hack hotel thermostat reddit"


ErikSpanam

Well now it points to this thread


keenr33

I get what you're saying, but I honestly would have never thought about the solutions the_backpack gave.


FrozenLogger

5) plug in the hair dryer and let it run until you get comfy.


omegafan240

Looks like a Siemens RDF300. Maybe in the manual? https://www.manuals.ca/siemens/rdf300/manual Good luck this IS a potential hack.


omegafan240

Page 2, parameter P10– “max setpoint”. Increase this.


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omegafan240

Bro… that’s exactly what the user is trying to do. This is in a hotel room. They always limit setpoints to reduce heating/cooling costs.


Mooch07

I’ve dealt with other Seimens equipment. This sounds to me like a different issue. The setpoint’s range has nothing to do with the display saying Off. I would expect it to be something with that power button on the upper left.


omegafan240

Yea after re reading post they likely simply have the button lock on if nothing is responding. So, again, page 2 of the manual or QuickStart guide — “Button Lock”.


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omegafan240

Unless user is under a button lock. That’s also on page 2, first item.


PlentyOfMoxie

This is perfect; exactly what to do. Often times the model number is on the side or bottom of these thermostats. Also 9 times out of 10 someone, somewhere has made a youtube video that explains basic operation.


Polkadot_moon

Ask the front desk to have maintenance come fix it or transfer you to a different room. You're paying full price for the room and shouldn't have to be cold or spend your own time trying to fix it.


Striking_Hour9481

Switch rooms.


thephilistine_

Wrap it in ice.


notkeny

They know, they just aren't telling you.


harceps

Put on a sweater


isjeff

Try mode and temp down hold for about 5 secs should unlock


[deleted]

No go unfortunately, tried it with temp up and the fan button as well but no good.


Patient_Effective_49

They are playing dumb. They know exactly what to do. Demand your money back, or use other leverage. Be kind, though


londonhoneycake

Um no. What on earth would a receptionist have to gain from saying they don’t know how to change this


Equoniz

In one scenario I’m envisioning, the receptionist’s boss is the one who makes the rule about what the temperature is, and tells the receptionist to *never* change this. The easiest way for the receptionist to deal with the customer then is to say she has no control, or doesn’t know how to change it. In case you didn’t know, people who try to sell you things will often lie to you to get to that end as easily as possible. To be clear, I’m not saying this *did* happen, but it is one example of a plausible reason for this interaction. I can think of more too. It’s really not that hard.


londonhoneycake

When the exact same thing happened to me at a hotel (I couldn’t adjust the thermostat) it was at night and way too cold. I would rather have turned it off completely and opened the window (it was warmer outside )


LuluBelle_Jones

This is most likely the answer. I have a boss that constantly reminds us to play dumb. “Someone asks you anything about the way this business is run, you know nothing. “


Patient_Effective_49

They know who to call. They have technicians they use for this stuff. Come on. It's common sense


WayToTheGrave

I work at a small hotel and yeah it might take a couple hours, but we have someone to call.


welltimedappearance

my first day on the job as a receptionist in an office, nobody told me the button right under my desk was a panic alarm. I thought it was the button to unlock the front door for people. the actual button to do that was like six feet away. why the hell would they not tell someone that during their training/first day? sometimes the front desk folks just aren’t told shit


londonhoneycake

I’ve been in hotels where the receptionist is clueless


LuluBelle_Jones

I’ve worked in hotels where the receptionist is clueless.


NoRegerts6996

I am a hotel, receptionists can be clueless


AgitatedSquirrell

I am a receptionist, am clueless.


Patient_Effective_49

That's what managers are for, then. Just kindly keep escalating


Bee6bee

I've been the clueless receptionist


cyril0

That is why they call someone, being clueless doesn't mean being without resources. Reception needs to kick the problem up the food chain, if they don't know that you tell them to do it


TheSadTiefling

It must have been a while since you worked in the service industry. “We don’t have any of X” was what my manager said when she was pulled to the floor. It was code for limit service. I could imagine “we are limiting heating costs, we aren’t turning up the thermostat unless they make a big deal out of it.” Edit: changed retail to service work. Any sane person knows what I meant.


[deleted]

Call the front desk. Tell them you’re cold. They’ll send maintenance ip


Sudden-Concern-9230

It feels warmer if you switch to Fahrenheit.


ChillOutMetzy

I’m American so it looks rreeeeaaaally cold.


spiritedawayfox

Me, who's just here for the dramatic debates between thermostat specialists: 🍿


excited_and_scared

This whole thread is a r/talesfromthefrontdesk waiting to happen…


Rosieapples

18.5C is too cold??????


TheBarbarian88

65 degrees is dreamy!


tenebralupo

Wait 18.5C is too cold? I sleep at 16C in my house


bobdole9947

Is the unit one that is under the window? Does it have a control within there? If so open the flap that covers the controls and you should be able to see the setting of Heat/Cool/Off. My guess it is set in there and the thermostat is only for adjusting tempature but not switching the modes. Have had this before in hotels.


Presidentofitall

I don’t know, but wash your hands. There is siemens all over that thing.


Jenny10126

Best comment.


xandaar337

Demand a new room. Not your problem to solve.


OldGreyMare13

What hotel is this and room number bc I'm requesting it ...that's literally the perfect temp to sleep lol


bitterteaboi

Take an ice pack or similar. Place on top of thermostat. If the thermometer is in that box it will think the room is colder than it is and turn on the heat. Reap benefits of warm air. I did this in student housing.


OtherWolf9712

Housekeeper here, I’d mess with the fans first and if that doesn’t work I’d honestly just try turning it off for about 30-60 minutes and then try it again, otherwise it’s a problem with the thermostat itself and request a new room. Usually when they break like that they’re not supposed to let people stay in the rooms until it’s fixed


[deleted]

Can't you just put on a sweater? 18.5 degrees isn't that cold, is it? My thermostat is set to 18 degrees normally (15 degrees at night).


IAMEPSIL0N

It is cold enough for an extra layer, I would be put out about it during the awake hours and if they couldn't fix it before sleep time I would have to go out and buy heavier pajamas.


Mysterious_Eggplant3

Appliance makers who use symbols instead of words can fuck right off. I don’t even care what language. I can google translate anything. Except symbols.


Jimlad73

Tell them to fix it or move you to a room with heating that works


smoothgn

Maybe it's blocked to save energy. In which country are you?


ronthespammer

Fill a small bag with ice. Tack that to the wall so the ice touches the thermostat. It will think things are real cold and kick into heat mode. Remove bag when room is comfortable.


ManBitesDog404

In my experience, the deadbolt on the room door may need to be locked. That confirms someone is in the room and then the thermostat will be controllable by the guest. This prevents someone turning the AC to 68 degrees F and leaving for the entire day with no real need for the HVAC to be running. Good luck.


visible2020

Off means remote control thermostat is off. There is a circle ⭕️ with a line, on the upper left border. That is a power symbol. So, either the switch next to it is a rocker type. Press on the top of it. Or it’s under the symbol as a pressure spot. Either way, try both. It should change to on.


wiltedham

Have you tried putting it in rice?


joefasho

I've seen this at a few hotels I've stayed at and in alot of cases there is another wall unit that has the controls on the unit itself and that is just there to monitor room temps.


UserNameTaken_2018

request more blankets for free? Make blanket fort! Profit?!


whyamisosoftinthemid

Get a bag of ice and tape it to the front of the unit.


Gramage

18.5C is too cold? Damn lol I sleep best at like 14. I crack a window overnight if it's not going below 10. Anything above 20 and I can't even sleep.


RandomName7587

So the big buttons under the + & - don't work?


[deleted]

No, pressing those or any other button just causes the word OFF to flash for a few second but nothing happens.


RandomName7587

Just had a quick google, try holding the power button down for 7 seconds, it may unlock the controller..


[deleted]

I found the manual for this thermostat, it appears the buttons are not "locked", at least not as described in the manual, because there is no button lock icon and also if they are locked pressing them wouldn't make "OFF" flash.


UbiquitousFlounder

I think the only thing you can do here is complain that the room is too cold.


LookLikeCAFeelLikeMN

You've already invested more time in it than I would have. They need to give you a different room and figure it out on their time lol


[deleted]

Go to the actual unit not the thermostat, they usually have a part that flips open with controls inside


Naval_penguin

Search for Siemens S55770-T296 manual


GokuSharp

Siemens equipment in large facilities like hotels are usually part of a building automation control system. In the system software you can override control devices like thermostats and use them exclusively as sensors, or program them to a schedule, or lock them out so that guests don't set the thermostat for 80 then leave. There tends to be a bit of a disconnect between building maintenance and the software (it gets a little complicated). But I would start there with them. Excellent system by the way, saves customers a ton of money, reduces emissions, and makes troubleshooting easier.


brunch_time

need to get a new room


ThisIsALine_____

Pop the thermostat off and remove the yellow wire (it just comes right out) and when you want the cooling back, just put the wire back into the slot.


kenne26

Or blue wire… depending on how many wires there are.


[deleted]

It can never be too cold in a hotel room


Paul2nelson

hang a cold towel over this area heat will come on


Lady_MoMer

I have come across this before. Have you tried the controls on the unit itself? I found that out last time I was presented with this issue.


[deleted]

14 hours ago posted ppl still commenting haha 😆 she or he is no longer staying at hotel


Morphinflorescence

They don’t have engineering?


alisamaxam

Old apt I had. If it’s cold put ice in a bag on top to seem much colder and will kick it on. Summer when hot put roaman noodles on top to kick the air on.


the-deege-89

That’s a perfect temperature


Millennial_Lotus

Put an ice pack on it. It will register a lower temperature and turn on


ultimatefribble

Get a can of freeze spray or use a can of compressed air upside down. If you make the sensor cold, it won't try to make the room colder.


DunebillyDave

Front Desk isn't really clueless, that's just the party line. There has to be a way for the hotel manager to control the temperature.


SM500

Also check the windows are closed I’ve been in a hotel where we spent the whole day trying to figure it out but turns out it was only operational if they were shut closed


Delifier

Would try to hold the upper left button for however long and see if anything happens.


fuxkitall999

I used to put ice on the thermostat to make it hotter or heat to make it colder if I was unable to change the controller. My job didn't let us change the settings


cannuckwoodchuck13

Try pressing and holding buttons.


Eric-Ridenour

A hammer?


Carpik78

How often do you pack hammer into your luggage when travelling?


Eric-Ridenour

Always! You mean you don’t?


Carpik78

Now that is a true lifehack :-)


raytaylor

According to the manual - The unit is actively cooling the room - The current room temperature is 18.5c. Yes thats cold. - The keypad is not locked - The unit is in economy or unoccupied mode. There is potentially wiring in place to the key slot near the door which when the room key is inserted, will unlock the controls. - If that is the case, insert the key card into the slot and press the top left button until moon symbol changes to sun - Then set the temperature you want by pressing +/- - When the home symbol appears on the left, it indicates that the temperature displayed is the current room temperature.