co-op value
traditional wood-frame or modular homes. A large number of Kiamichi Electric members live in mobile homes, so helping our members make them as efficient and comfortable as possible is important to us.
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Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic bullet to lower the energy consumption of a mobile home. It takes time to troubleshoot problems. Below are a few of the most common culprits:
Belly board problems. In most mobile homes, the belly board holds the insulation in place under the floor and serves as a vapor barrier. Over time, the belly board can get damaged. This allows the floor insulation to hold moisture or to simply fall out, exposing ductwork and dramatically increasing energy losses. Often there’s also long-term water damage from leaky pipes, toilets and showers that has compromised the floor, insulation and belly board integrity. Replacing the belly board and repairing leaky plumbing should be the first things on your to do list.
Air leakage/infiltration. Small holes and gaps can be a problem in mobile homes. Specific problems include gaps in the “marriage wall” that joins multiple units making up the home; holes in the ends of ducts; gaps around wall registers and behind washers and dryers; and unsealed backing to the electrical panel. Fixing these leaks is a dirty job and will
anufactured homes— what most of us call mobile homes—often log higher energy bills than
SAVINGS How to boost the efficiency of your mobile home
MANUFACTURED
made with duct tape. Repairs are generally easy, using either special duct sealant or metal tape that can be found at most home improvement stores. If you can afford the upgrade, consider replacing a flexible crossover duct with metal ductwork.
Lack of insulation. Insulation levels in walls, floors and ceilings in mobile homes are often inadequate. If it’s easy to access, add extra insulation to ceiling and floors. Adding insulation to walls could be a problem unless you’re ready to do major renovating.
Uninsulated ductwork. Wrapping your ductwork with insulation is another energy saver. Look for insulation specifically made for ductwork at your local hardware store.
require you to crawl under the home looking for gaps. Gaps can be filled with weather stripping and insulation.
Crossover ducts. Sealing the ducts that run under the sections making up your mobile home will result in big energy savings and increased comfort. Crossover ducts are often made of flexible tubing that’s prone to collapse and is easy for animals to chew on. Crossover ducts made of thin sheet metal can leak heated or cooled air, which is what happens when ductwork connections are
Find The Clues To Energy Loss In Your Home
If cold air is finding its way into your home, it's time for a closer look. Your co-op membership entitles you to a free home energy audit, courtesy of Energy Pioneer Solutions (EPS). Your audit will show you the most cost effective way to bring down your home energy costs. When it's completed, you have the option to fix the problems yourself, or finance the suggested upgrades through EPS. Over 300 Kiamichi Electric members have signed up for an energy audit thus far.
Why wait? Sign up for your free home energy audit by calling 855.937.9484.
Single-glazed windows and uninsulated doors. Most manufactured homes come with single-glazed windows and uninsulated doors, which have a low R-value. That means the rate of heat transfer between the inside of your home and the outdoors is higher than it should be. Replacing the windows with double- or triple-glazed windows or adding storm windows will help make your home more comfortable. An insulated door will also help. These solutions can be very expensive, though. At a minimum, you should add weather stripping to doors and windows. A window film kit is another cheap and easy-to-install upgrade that will help to keep winter winds out of your home.
Heat absorbing roof. Save on summer AC costs by installing a white roof or cool roof coating. They reflect more sunlight to keep mobile homes cooler. Many cool roof coatings can be brushed or rolled on like paint and are easy to apply on metal roofs. The cost of roof coatings varies depending on how reflective they are, and how long they will last. Be sure to choose one that’s appropriate for our climate.
Remember, even basic repairs can result in significant savings. The key is to get out there and start hunting for the savings lurking under, over and inside your mobile home. ■
For more tips on lowering your home energy costs, please visit
www.togetherwesave.com, or contact Kiamichi Electric at 800-888-2731.
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