Most older mobile homes aren’t energy efficient but they can be. We’ve gathered a few upgrades that will help reduce mobile home heating costs.
A mobile home can overheat in the summer and be too cool during the winter if it doesn’t have good insulation and sealing. If your home is like mine and was built in the 1970s, it could probably benefit from a few of the following projects:
Install Better Skirting to Reduce Mobile Home Heating Costs
One of the easiest, though not cheapest, methods to reduce mobile home heating costs, is to install better skirting. While it’s relatively simple advice, it’s also often overlooked.
Related: Mobile Home Living’s Ultimate Skirting Guide
Skirting improves the appearance of a mobile home while also preventing the cold air from blowing underneath. Restricting cold winds from entering and holding the heat from the vents keeps home from being too cold and since heat rises, it’s really the first defense against the cold weather.
Add Insulation to Your Mobile Home
Insulation is vital for keeping a home’s temperature stable in the summer and winter. Most older mobile homes tend to have weak or poor insulation so adding new insulation will reduce mobile home heating costs over the course of a lifetime.
There are a few different types of insulation: foam, fiberglass, denim, etc. A lot of mobile homeowners opt to add new insulation and exterior sheathing when they replace the siding on their mobile homes. Replacing older siding is a great update but it does cost a bit up front. There are ways to save money: DIY, buying bulk siding that is out of production are probably the two best ways.
Read how one family installed foam board under their mobile home here.
Upgrade the Windows to Reduce Mobile Home Heating Costs
Windows are another feature that can often be overlooked, but having new windows will reduce mobile home heating costs. Old windows are thinner and less insulated, so replacing them is ideal to keep a home warmer during the cold winter months.
Learn more about installing new mobile home windows here.
Replacing a window can be rather simple if you are comfortable with home improvement projects. It can be a good DIY project for those with a budget. You can install one window at a time as your budget allows.
New storm windows will help heat mobile homes during the winter and cool mobile homes during the summer.
Inspect Your HVAC System to Reduce Mobile Home Heating Costs
Another great way to reduce mobile home heating costs is to have the HVAC system serviced every year. Some companies offer service that includes a licensed professional examining the system two to four times each year. This way, you’ll know that your system is working properly.
Having a system that doesn’t work properly can cost a great deal of money. Air conditioners that leak Freon or heaters that do not heat properly can actually cost thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime if the issue isn’t fixed accordingly.
Most mobile homes come with heat and central air, and while these machines can operate for years without issues, proper maintenance is required. Some companies like this one offer HVAC maintenance plans so you can have peace of mind and know that your unit is proactively being taken care of.
There are many ways to reduce mobile home heating costs but the projects above will have the biggest impact. While they may cost a bit upfront the lifetime savings and return on investment is great.
Have you updated your home recently with new siding, windows, or skirting? Have you noticed any savings on your energy bill? Tell us about it below!
Thanks so much for reading Mobile Home Living!
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I have a hvac question. We just replaced our 36 year old coleman furnace with a newer high effiency one but the new furnace is not equiped with the blend air system. is this something we should have and can one be added to a newer furnace. the old stack , fan motor and flexible duct was left in place
thank you
Hi Danny,
Yes, it’s pretty simple just make sure you turn the mainline off and replace it. As far as loans, it’s pretty difficult to find a place but this article about grants and loans for mobile home owners may help. Best of luck!
Ok have out side spict needs to be new one put in do they just rotat off .yes turn off main wster .then rotat back 0n ? Oh who loans money on mobile homes to fox them up ate do i need fist full cash ?im on ssi and new ones have lost there minds single wides 16 x80 45,000 to 55,000 double wideds 28×60 70,000 to 90 000 in troy mo .nuts
Thank you so much, Robin! Fortunately, things are doing really well and, hopefully, it gets better as more people find us! I’m excited! Thank you so much for your kind words!
Crystal,
Just like everyone else I LOVE your website!! I grew up living in m/h’s. I am currently renting an apt, but I plan on purchasing a m/h in the Florida area in the next few years. I do hope this site is profitable for you and that you plan on continuing on with this for quite some time. All the helpful tips and ideas you give and show are great.
Please, please keep this site going.
I’m sorry, Kate. I have never been in a home with natural gas heat. I do know a bit about coal/wood burning stoves though..lol. I did find this natural gas heating calculator: http://www.energydepot.com/residentialenergycalculator/
Maybe another reader can give you some idea? Best of luck!
Can you give me an idea how much it might cost to heat a 1989 Rollohome 14′ x 66′ home with natural gas (in Minnesota)? I don’t know anyone who lives in a mobile home, but am SERIOUSLY considering buying this one. He says it only costs $600/year to heat, but it was his dad’s and he’s not sure if he supplemented the heat or not (it also has a wood burning fireplace). I want to buy it to save money for retirement in a few years, but am afraid it’s going to be more expensive than renting an apartment (it’s in a nice mobile home park). : ( Thank you for any help or advice you can offer!
So glad you found us, Kathy! Please take lots of photos of your projects, I am always looking for great homes to share!
Hi Crystal,
I too have just found your website and I love it! I own a 198??? mobile home on a small parcel of land and have wanted to update it, inside and out. My problem…I have zero creative bones in my body (really)! Your site has already given me many ideas. I can hardly wait to buy paint and get going.
Thank you and blessings ~
Kathy
Hi RJ,
You’ll probably want to go directly to a mobile home parts supplier. There will be one close to you but you may need to sleuth a bit to find it.
Hi,
I need a new door and screen door for my home. Is there a cheaper and better alternative than special ordering from Home Depot or Lowes?
Thanks so much
Hi Carrie!
Thanks so much for commenting! So sorry you are having issues with your home. I know it’s frustrating regardless of what kind it is. I hope you find the home of your dreams that is affordable and stays cozy all year round! I would love to get updates during your home shopping, please keep me informed!
I love your website! It’s sad how people discriminate against mobile homes. We lived in one before we bought our site-built house and I miss it! Our 1900 sq foot house is a monster to heat and cool… our mobile home was more comfortable and our electric bill was half! We are either freezing in winter or burning up in summer. We are looking to moving soon and it will be to a mobile home. I’ve had the “big dream house” and it has been a nightmare with problem after problem. I really enjoy your website… keep it up! I’ve found a lot of inspiration from your site and you are one of the only ones out there!
Hi Linda!
Great to hear from you! I had a couple of ideas for the name of this blog but I ended up with Mobile Home Living because it was the only domain I could find that cost under $20. In 2011, I was broke (just like 2017…lol) and even spending $20 on a blog that I wasn’t even sure was going to work out was a big deal to me. I guess it all worked out, though, and that was the best $20 I ever spent…lol!
I’d love to have a printed magazine but apparently, no one buys printed magazines anymore and all the experts say it’s not a smart move. Maybe I can get a book deal eventually!
Thanks for commenting and reading MHL! Always good to hear from a kindred spirit!
Hi Crystal, I have just discovered your site, and wanted you to know we are kindred spirits. Years ago, I tried to get a magazine going with the same title, but could never get it up and running. It is so hard to find repairmen that work on mobile homes. I used to subscribe to Better Homes & Garden and wondered why not something like that for mobile home owners. Sharing ideas or sharing “how to’s”. With the internet these days it is a lot easier, but there are still problems finding people who will work on mobile homes. I used to do most all the work myself, but not able to anymore. Thanks for your site. Linda