Energy costs can be a significant financial burden for any homeowner! High cooling bills in the summer can be difficult when you’re just trying to beat the heat, especially when living in the South. If this sounds familiar, consider these mobile home cooling tips for saving yourself money and creating a more comfortable living space.
Purchase an ENERGY STAR®-certified manufactured home
Manufactured home buyers concerned about high heating and cooling costs should strongly consider buying an ENERGY STAR® certified-manufactured home. These homes are designed from the ground up for energy efficiency, and many homebuyers find themselves saving a considerable amount on energy bills by purchasing one of these homes. The manufacturer we work with, Clayton Homes, now offers ENERGY STAR®-certified manufactured homes.
Upgrade your manufactured home’s insulation
Insulation isn’t just for keeping your home warm in the winter. It also helps to keep your home cool in the summer since it prevents the heat outside from finding its way into your home.
Upgrading the insulation in your manufactured home will often help you save on your cooling bills. Keep in mind that it’s best to have new manufactured home insulation installed by a professional to ensure that it’s installed correctly.
Add shades, drapes, sunscreens or tinted film to your windows
Adding shades, drapes or other window coverings to your windows is a simple and economical way to keep your home cool in the summer. These coverings help keep the interior of your home cooler by blocking out sunlight. Each is available in a wide variety of styles and colors to match the decor of your home and complement your personal style.
Use a split AC system to cool your home more economically
Ductless split AC systems are a popular option for mobile home cooling. These quiet and energy-efficient AC units can be placed throughout your home for cooling without the installation of ductwork.
Split AC systems also make it possible to separate your home into cooling zones with different temperatures, and they often consume less energy than central AC units. They also tend to be less expensive than some other types of AC systems and can typically be installed very quickly by a professional.
Use fans inside your home to keep air circulating
Ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans can all help regulate your home’s temperature. By circulating air more efficiently throughout your home, fans help keep the temperature consistent and can help out your AC system so it doesn’t have to work so hard.
Fans also help prevent rooms from feeling stuffy or during hot weather. If your home’s air circulation could use some improvement, try adding one or more fans for an inexpensive fix.
Run a dehumidifier inside your home
High humidity levels can make the inside of your home feel uncomfortable in the hot and humid Tennessee summer. A dehumidifier inside your manufactured home will help remove excess humidity from the air, reduce how hard your AC unit has to work and make your home a more comfortable place to live.
Add awnings to your home
Installing a few awnings over your windows and doors provides shade that keeps your home cooler. By blocking the sunlight from hitting your home, awnings help maintain a cooler temperature. Manufactured home awnings are relatively inexpensive, and most come with detailed instructions for DIY installation or you can let a professional handle it.
Make sure your air conditioning system is clean and change the filter
A clogged or dirty filter will make an AC system less efficient and prevent your home from getting full potential out of your AC unit. Check your filter, and if it’s clogged, purchase and install a replacement filter from your AC system’s manufacturer. During spring or early summer, it’s a good idea to have your AC system serviced by a professional to ensure that it’s working at full capacity.
Manufactured home cooling is easier and less expensive when you know the key mobile home cooling tips and tricks!
(adapted from MHVillage.com)
