While their construction style poses some restrictions, there are energy improvements you can make on a manufactured home.

Site Your Home to Use the Sun

The direction your home faces can save over 20% on heating and cooling costs. When siting a manufactured home, have the long sides face to the north and south, and the short sides to the east and west. Choose a model that has its major glass areas facing to the south to maximize free solar heat in the winter.

Keep Your Home Shaded

Keeping any home shaded saves on air conditioning costs, but it is especially important for manufactured homes as the roof and ceiling often have less insulation than for site-built housing. The lower profile of manufactured homes makes shading easier. Plant deciduous trees (the type that lose their leaves in the fall) to shade the west and east sides of your home.

While you're waiting for the trees to grow, you can use a trellis with a fast-growing vine to shade the walls and windows. Closing light-colored shades and curtains during the day will reflect sunlight back through windows and keep the house cooler.

Seal and Insulate the Ducts

Many manufactured homes have ductwork for forced-air heating and cooling systems located outside the home. It is critical that this ductwork be airtight and well insulated. Duct tape does not provide an effective seal and the new Georgia Energy Code requires that mastic, a thick paste, be used to seal ducts.

Seal the Floor Sheathing

Much of the ductwork is located in the floor cavity which has sheathing to protect the ducts, reduce air leakage and hold the floor insulation in place. Holes in this sheathing, called the bottom or belly board, allow heated and cooled air to escape to the outside. Seal all holes in the sheathing with 15-lb. felt and caulk or other suitable materials.

If the ducts inside the floor cavity leak, then the cavity can become pressurized and force air outside through even tiny cracks. You may consider having a professional conduct a pressure test of the ductwork to determine if leakage is severe.

To correct the problem may require opening sections of the floor sheathing to paint mastic onto unsealed seams in the ducts, then re-sealing the sheathing. While this repair may cost several hundred dollars, studies show that duct leakage can account for over 30% of heating and cooling costs for homes.

Add Insulation If Possible

Since the ceiling, wall and floor cavities for many manufactured homes are sealed, it is difficult to add insulation. However, some models have attic spaces in which you can install extra insulation. Some companies can also blow insulation into the floor cavity. In the Southeastern climate, it is usually not practical to add insulation to the walls or the outside of the roof.

Shop Wisely If Buying a New Manufactured Home

If you're considering purchasing a manufactured home, look into all of the benefits provided by an Right Choice Manufactured Home, a manufactured home with certified construction and insulation standards. You will receive greater comfort, added value, lower operating costs and a reduced electricity rate from Jackson EMC. For more information about this program, contact a Jackson EMC Residential Marketing Representative.