Did you know that space heating and water heating account for around 44% of your mobile home’s energy consumption? For this reason, the key to reducing your electricity bills is to minimize your reliance on these two energy-intensive systems without sacrificing your comfort, especially in the middle of a bleak winter.
But you may ask yourself this question: “Is it doable?”
The resounding answer is YES. With careful planning and more conscious use of electricity, there are ways to keep your mobile home warm this winter without having your heating system on full blast.
Insulate your roof and attic.
A properly insulated roof and attic can significantly slash your energy bills since 25%-30% of heat is lost through a poorly insulated roof.
For DIY attic insulation projects, you can use two materials: loose fill or batt, which you can add over existing insulation. Loose fill is ideal for attics with lots of obstructions and irregular joist spacing, while batt is excellent for attics with few penetrations to work around and sufficient clearance during installation.
Turn your thermostat down by 1 degrees celsius.
In the past, experts suggested that the ideal indoor temperature was 69.8 Fahrenheit, but recently they changed it to 64.4 Fahrenheit. Turning down your dial a bit is enough (without sacrificing comfort) to reduce your heating cost by 10%-20%.
Consider using radiator panels.
They work by reflecting the heat back into the room and reducing heat loss through the external wall. Another good news is that they are relatively cheap and easy to install.
Fix drafty windows and doors.
Drafty windows and doors force your heating system to work on full blast, which means higher energy costs. For this reason, the best way to save money while enjoying a comfortable indoor environment is to weatherstrip your doors and windows and recaulk their frames.
Install a door snake (also called draft stoppers) in front of the bottom of the door where the draft seeps in and out. Another option is to use sticky foam tape around your external doors, especially those without a snug fit.
And for windows, the use of weatherstripping is an inexpensive and easy DIY project that can improve the energy efficiency of your mobile home. And to take things to the next level, consider adding interior window film that you can put in place using a hairdryer.
Using curtains judiciously is another way to save on heating costs. During the day, let the sunlight in to make use of this free heat, and when it gets dark, draw the curtains that can act as another layer of insulation.
Install central heating with a timer.
If you’re using central heating to warm your mobile home, make sure that you install a timer to automate it. The idea here is to program your heating system to work at specific times–for instance, once in the morning and in the evening–to slash your energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.
Install your radiator beneath your window.
If you use a radiator to warm your mobile home, make sure that you install it right beneath the window, which is the coldest part of your house. However, keep it away from curtains, furniture, debris, or anything that poses a fire hazard.
Protect your wall from dampness.
You may not be aware of it, but a damp wall is terrible at retaining heat. To fix this, apply a protective wall coating that not only makes your mobile home more energy efficient but also protects it from water damage and rot.
Consider planting shrubs around your mobile home.
Planting shrubs around your house can break the wind and protect it from the elements.
Consider using thick rugs during winter.
Thick rugs (ideally those made of wooly fabrics) will not just keep your feet warm but also prevent cold from passing up through your floor.
Final Word
Now that you know that keeping a mobile home comfy and warm during winter doesn’t entail expensive projects, you may want to check out Country Squire Estates, a quaint manufactured home community in Sacramento, California.
While this lovely mobile & manufactured home community is located near Citrus Heights and Roseville, it still offers a small town charm thanks to its friendly residents and unique location–it’s tucked into a forested enclave and surrounded by Cripple Creeks and Arcade.
