March-2024 Cooperative Living-CEC - 26

ENERGY SENSE
Getting Your Ducts in a Row
Efficiency tips for manufactured homes
by Miranda Boutelle, Contributing Columnist
Q:
M
I live in a manufactured home.
How can I keep the inside
temperature more comfortable
and save on energy bills?
A:
There are several tasks you can complete to improve comfort
and use less energy in your manufactured home - air sealing,
duct sealing, adding insulation, and installing new windows,
showerheads, faucet aerators and lightbulbs.
ore than 22 million Americans live in manufactured
homes, according to the National Association
of State Energy Officials. Manufactured homes
represent 15% of housing in rural areas, and only 3% in urban
areas.
Knowing how manufactured homes are built helps us
understand where we can seal in savings around the house.
These homes are constructed in factories and then transported
and set up on-site. Construction in a factory reduces costs,
making manufactured homes an affordable option. That lower
price point can come, in part, from the use of less expensive
equipment and fewer materials, such as lower-efficiency
heating equipment or less insulation.
If you already live in a manufactured home, you likely
know that manufactured homes are constructed in sections.
One section is a single-wide home, two are combined to make
a double-wide home and three make a triple-wide home.
In my experience, the biggest issues were in the duct
systems, which deliver heating and cooling throughout the
homes. The ductwork is typically located in the cavity between
the floor and the transport barrier, which protects the
underside of the manufactured home while it is transported
from the factory to the site. Typically, one long duct runs
the length of each section of the home, with the registers or
vents cut into it.
The first step is making sure all registers are accessible, open
and not covered by furniture, rugs, dog beds or anything else.
Next, check your ductwork by removing the registers and
looking inside. Anything inside the duct will restrict airflow,
24 * Cooperative Living * March 2024
so check that it is free and clear. Use a mirror and flashlight
to look into the duct, or take a picture by sticking a camera
or phone inside and snapping some shots with flash in each
direction. I've pulled all kinds of things out of ducts over
the years, from garbage to toys to shoes.
If you have a double wide or triple wide, you will likely
have a crossover duct, which joins the ducts in each section.
The crossover duct is typically a large flexible duct with
an inner liner, insulation and an outer cover to protect
the insulation. Damaged or disconnected crossover ducts
allow the air you pay to heat escape under the home. Often,
damage is done by animals chewing or scratching to get
inside the warm area. An inspection of the crossover duct
requires crawling under the home. That's a dirty job and
often a tight spot, so you might choose to hire a professional.
Another place to check is the joint joining the sections
of a double wide or triple wide together. This is often
covered by trim when the home is placed. You can caulk
around the trim or remove it and caulk underneath to
reduce air leakage.
Weatherstripping doors and windows to make sure they
seal tightly will also reduce drafts and save energy. Some
homes can benefit from additional insulation in the attic or
under the floor. Those projects typically require specialized
equipment or help from a professional. Check with your
county or electric utility for more information.
*
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy-efficiency topics for
the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
co-opliving.com
http://www.co-opliving.com
March-2024 Cooperative Living-CEC

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