Manufactured Home Electrification: How to Be Successful (Part 1)

Mobile homes are an often underserved housing type in the weatherization and electrification industry, largely because there are fewer options for upgrades and properly rated equipment than in traditional housing. The challenges mobile homes face include construction techniques that make adding insulation difficult, an exterior exposed underbelly, ductwork that is often subpar and located in the underbelly, limited mechanical closet space, subpar construction, and others. However, with nearly 22 million people living in mobile homes in the US and their higher than average energy use, this housing stock is an important opportunity to increase energy efficiency and reduce or eliminate fossil fuel use. This session will present methods and techniques to recognize opportunities for electrification and discuss specific technologies, design schemes, and installation techniques to ensure good results. We will cover the most effective load reduction techniques, such as spray foaming the underbelly, as well as sizing equipment, interfacing with the existing limited ductwork, and creating cost-effective projects. The presented material is based on hundreds of weatherized mobile homes and the results of electrification projects over the last two years.