As inflation continues to climb, many households are finding it harder to manage everyday expenses. Improving home energy efficiency is one way to save money.
This is especially true for residents of older mobile homes, which often experience uneven temperatures and overworked systems that result in high energy bills. The data backs this up: In manufactured homes, energy costs per square foot can be up to twice those of on-site built homes.
Are you wondering how to make a mobile home more energy efficient? Doing so requires understanding where energy is lost and which upgrades deliver the greatest return.
Whether you’re a homeowner, community manager, or contractor, maintaining the following areas can help reduce the cost of mobile home utilities.
Many companies claim their windows and doors are energy efficient. And while energy ratings matter, installation matters more.
Even the best installer will struggle if windows and doors aren’t designed and sized specifically for manufactured homes. The right sized window and door reduces gaps and creates a precise fit, preventing air from escaping the home or from outside air coming in.
It's also important with doors and windows to consider what's inside and outside. In the case of what's inside, looking for a door with solid-core construction is valuable, as is finding replacement windows that have argon gas insulation between the panes. For the outside of doors, while that black front door may give great farmhouse vibes, it's also absorbing heat from sunlight throughout the day. Windows, however, do better with some degree of tint instead of being completely clear - look for a "low-e" option that filters light and heat.
Properly sized and installed units that are insulated and built for efficiency can meaningfully lower the average mobile home electric bill per month. Another benefit — added comfort. No one likes a space that’s drafty in the winter or excessively hot in the summer.
Don't overlook the area beneath a mobile home.
Poor skirting leads to under-home airflow. Whether hot or cold, the air will affect the temperature inside the home. Systems will need to go into overdrive to maintain the desired temperature, sending mobile home utility costs upward.
Effectively sealing the space beneath a manufactured home prevents outside air from penetrating the underside of the home. As a result, the mobile home maintains a more stable indoor temperature, reducing energy use.
Properly fitted and well-maintained skirting doesn’t merely keep air out; it allows homes to breathe. Vents help prevent damp air from becoming trapped under a home, which helps regulate humidity and temperature.
The easiest answer to how to make a mobile home more energy efficient is to install a new HVAC system. New systems, however, are costly.
There are constraints associated with manufactured homes to consider. On average, ducts are smaller and leak more frequently than in traditional homes. Sealing the ducts is a key step to making a mobile home more energy efficient.
Installing new systems can be tricky, and poor installation can lead to higher bills and a shorter system lifespan. Unlike a traditional house, installation involves tight routing and clearances. That’s why it’s essential to use approved components and follow ventilation guidelines that comply with manufactured housing requirements.
Bigger isn’t better when sizing a new HVAC system for a mobile home. Not following the general square-footage sizing rules results in oversized units that operate inefficiently and don’t provide ideal airflow.
Upgrading to a more efficient furnace can also help reduce mobile home utilities. Furnaces are rated by their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which ranges from 80% to 99%. An 80% AFUE furnace (standard efficiency) converts 80% of its fuel into heat, while the remainder is lost during operation.
While the standard furnace offers a more budget-friendly upfront cost, a high-efficiency model can pay for itself over time through reduced fuel usage. In colder climates, when furnaces are used more frequently, the savings add up more quickly and help lower mobile home utility costs.
With proper sizing, sealed ductwork, installation tailored to manufactured housing requirements, and a high-efficiency furnace, homeowners can see meaningful gains in both comfort and energy efficiency.
The best place to get materials for an energy upgrade is from suppliers that specialize in the manufactured housing industry. They offer a wider range of energy-efficient products tailored to these homes. Many also provide bundled solutions that reduce costs, enabling homeowners to make multiple changes at once and helping community managers implement widespread energy upgrades more efficiently.
These same suppliers are market leaders that influence product availability and maintain steady inventory levels. The consistency and scalability help them make mobile home energy efficiency products more affordable.
Imagine you’re in your home, comfortable in your happy place. You open your electric bill and see a lower monthly cost that fits into your budget. This is the result of better energy performance.
The desire to make a mobile home more energy efficient is achievable with the right approach. Start by evaluating the current setup and prioritizing high-impact upgrades. The cost of making the improvements is probably more affordable than expected.
Style Crest's trusted professionals can guide mobile home owners, community managers, and contractors through the process and help them find the most suitable product for their needs.