Heating and Cooling Options for Manufactured Homes

Keeping your manufactured home warm or cool isn't too different from doing so in a site-built home. Check out the options to regulate your home's temperature and keep it comfortable all year!

Manufactured homes offer variety, which is one of the things that makes them an affordable option for so many home buyers. This is true too when it comes to how you heat and cool your home. So, let’s look at some of the options for manufactured home HVAC systems and some differences between them.

There are typically four options:

1. Central heat, ventilation and air conditioning or a manufactured home specific system
2. A combination air conditioner and heat pump
3. Window units
4. Ductless mini-split that has an indoor and outdoor unit connected by tubes and wiring

When you’re deciding which option is right for your manufactured home, you will usually need to see what your home is set up for. Many newer manufactured homes have ductwork and a closet for an HVAC unit so you can go with a more typical HVAC system.

Coleman makes units specifically for manufactured homes. They offer gas and electric furnaces.

If your home doesn’t have a spot indoors for a unit but you have ductwork, you may still be able to put your unit outside right next to your home with a packaged AC, according to Conditioned Air Solutions. Options for this include a heat pump that heats and cools or a gas version If your home does not have ductwork or a space for the unit, there are also some different options available.

Some older manufactured homes may use window units, as they can be more affordable and smaller for single section homes that don’t have ductwork. Today, you might consider a ductless mini-split, which mounts to your wall and is ideal for small spaces. While they work differently than window units, they are similar in how compact they are and that they don’t have a large indoor unit. Mini-splits can be expensive in comparison to other options, but they work wonderfully and are an energy-efficient choice.

Which option is the right fit depends on factors like your home’s ductwork and home size. For example, in some more moderate climates, you may not need a full HVAC system. Typically, you can find square footage guides that will tell you the type of unit needed to comfortably heat and cool your space.

Another thing to consider when choosing a heating and cooling system is the overall energy efficiency of your home. You can increase the efficiency by focusing on insulation and windows.

If your home lacks proper insulation, there are several ways you can redo or apply it. Having good insulation helps whichever heating and cooling option you choose function more effectively, so it’s an important investment.

Windows are similar. While investing in new or better insulated windows can potentially be expensive, it can also improve how your system works. A few more affordable ideas are also to caulk your window casings and seams to prevent air leaks. Additionally, you can select heavy curtains that will stop air from escaping or getting into the home. Lastly, if you live in a cold climate, you can apply window film over your windows in the winter for an extra layer of protection.

We hope that this has been helpful as you consider the options for heating and cooling your home. Overall, the best tools are knowing the size of your home, its level of ductwork/ and storage for a potential unit, and your budget. These will all help you make the best-informed decision for your home and for you.