You can make improvements to your older mobile home to increase its energy efficiency. You should aim to reduce heat loss and reduce heating fuel consumption, as well as to use better appliances and light bulbs to lower energy costs and reduce pollution.
You and your family will enjoy a higher value and greater comfort when your mobile home is more energy efficient. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make big improvements.
1. Why Mobile Homes Use More Electricity Than Any Type Of Residence
Mobile homes use much more electricity compared to other homes, for a variety of reasons.
Mobile homes are a popular choice for elderly and low-income Americans. A new report, “Mobiles and megawatts”: Why mobile homes consume the most electricity” reveals the disadvantages these residents face compared to those who live in other types of homes.
An average mobile home consumes 50 percent more electricity per square foot than a single-family home.
Although mobile homes may look similar to apartments in terms of size, their energy consumption is much lower than that of townhomes and duplexes that have nearly twice the area.
Mobile homes are consuming high amounts of electricity due to limited insulation options and inefficient heating/cooling behaviors. Mobile space heaters are used by approximately 20% of mobile home residents. This is the most expensive way to heat a house.
85 percent of mobile homeowners open their windows at very least once a day to control temperature swings. More than half of mobile home customers use cooling systems during the summer. This is much higher than for other types of dwellings.
Many residents will choose to use portable air conditioners, which use 10 times the energy of a heat pump or central air conditioning system. Winter heating can make up to half of the Georgia Gas bill.
75% of mobile home residents in Georgia want to save money and conserve electricity. However, they are worried about the cost and don’t know where to start.
2. Ways To Make Your Mobile Home More Energy Efficient
Mobile homes can be energy-guzzlers. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, utilities can be up to 50% more expensive than regular homes of the same age and size. Mobile homeowners consume 70 percent more energy per square foot than site-built homes.
These are some pretty shocking statistics that could explain why mobile homeowners experience sticker shock when paying their utility bills. Mobile homes that are older or less efficient will cost more to maintain.
Are you looking to reduce your energy costs? Here are eight ways you can make your mobile home more efficient.
Mobile Home Roof & Ceiling
You can make a huge difference in your AC costs in Georgia by giving your mobile home a roof coating or insulation.
Cool roofs, also known as white roofs, can dramatically lower the temperature of your mobile home by reflecting up to 85 percent of sunlight. It can make a huge difference in hot summers.
Insulating the roof cavity will help keep heat and cool air inside your home. To provide insulation, some mobile homeowners opt for a sloped roof.
Update Insulation In Your Entire Mobile Home
Poor insulation is the biggest problem homeowners have to deal with. Many homeowners don’t have enough insulation in their walls or crawl spaces.
According to the Department of Energy, insulation should be added in two areas: the walls and underbelly. They found that heat loss was reduced by 13 percent in older homes than it is in newer manufactured homes. Heat loss is also reduced by insulation under the flooring by 11 percent.
You can pad your walls and underbelly with blown insulation or a solid board. These require a skilled touch and specialized equipment. However, government-issued energy grants can help offset the cost. As an additional step, some homeowners add insulation skirting to their homes.
Make sure your siding, weatherstripping, and insulation are in good condition. 25 percent of the heat goes through the roof, 35 percent through walls, and 15 percent through the floor. You’ll be able to save money on heating and cooling by having a mobile home that is well-insulated.
Replace Light Bulbs With Energy Efficient Lighting
Every home can benefit from energy-efficient LED lighting. A majority of homes spend 10% to12% of their home’s energy on lighting. This can make it possible to save money and lower your monthly energy bills. Turn off the lights when they are not needed. Use clean lighting fixtures to increase lighting output.
Upgrade Your Kitchen Appliances
The appliances in your mobile home consume 20-25 percent of the total utility bill. You could be wasting energy if you rely on old, rusty appliances.
Mobile homes older than 10 years old, and the appliances that come with them, are more expensive to maintain and repair. As replacements for older appliances, it’s worth saving for Energy Star appliances. Energy Star appliances consume anywhere from 10 to 50% less energy per year than their older counterparts.
According to the National Resources Defense Council, a typical dryer consumes as much energy as all-new Energy Star-labelled washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators combined. This swap could save you hundreds of dollars.
Check Your Crawlspace & Ducts
Although crawl spaces under manufactured homes are often overlooked, there are energy savings that can be made. You can add skirting to the mobile home to prevent heat from escaping, but you should still be able to access the crawl space.
Bottom Line
There are many changes other than mentioned above you can make to your mobile home to save energy and cut the cost of fuel and electricity bills. Some changes are straightforward and inexpensive, some may take a little work, but the cost savings and benefit of increased mobile home energy efficiency are all worth it!
