While your manufactured home may not have some of the energy efficiency options of a site-built home, there are still steps you can take to trim winter heating bills. Here are five tips for winterizing a manufactured home that can help you capture energy savings.
Furnace. Make sure you clean or replace your furnace’s air filter as often as recommended.
If you heat your home with an electric or propane furnace, you can likely cut your heating costs dramatically by installing a heat pump. Ductless heat pumps are efficient, and they eliminate the problem of leaky ducts.
Water heater. You pay a lot to heat water. One simple way to lower that cost is to lower your water heater’s thermostat. Make sure it’s set to medium, between 120 and 140 degrees.
Energy-efficient showerheads can also save energy. Some showerheads are equipped with a button or valve that allows you to reduce or stop the flow while you lather up.
Another fairly simple fix: Insulate the first several feet of the hot water pipe where it exits the tank. If there’s room around your water heater, you could also wrap the tank with an insulation jacket, which you can purchase from a home supply store for about $30. If your water heater uses gas or propane, be careful not to restrict the air needed for combustion or install insulation too close to the exhaust flue.
Ducts. Leaky furnace ducts are often a major source of energy loss. It’s helpful to make sure all supply and return registers are free-flowing and are not covered by furniture or rugs. Closed registers can really take a toll on your heating and cooling system.
You might also be able to save energy by sealing the ducts at the floor registers. The biggest leaks, however, are likely under your manufactured home and could require the services of a contractor to locate and seal.
Windows and doors. The window AC unit that kept you cool all summer can be a major source of heat loss in the winter. Cover it up—or better yet, remove it during winter months. Another fairly easy way to cut down on energy loss is to install window insulation kits—plastic, disposable sheets stretched over windows and held in place with double-sided tape.
Thick curtains can also do a remarkable job at cutting drafts and adding insulation around a window.
The final and most involved step: Fill cracks and holes in walls and around windows and doors with caulk, filler and/or expanding foam.
Floors. Cold floors can be costly and uncomfortable. The easiest solution is to lay down area rugs for additional warmth. But to really get the floor comfortable, you may have to venture into the crawl space and insulate the floor or skirting. If you’re not sure how to do this, look up video tutorials online.
