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1. PRO A great deal of unwanted heat gain enters a home through the roof the less insulation the more summertime heat gain Reflective elastomeric roof coatings are available for metal asphalt shingle and other types of roofs that will reflect more than 75 of the sunlight striking the roof Most of these coatings are acrylic and relatively easy to apply although they do require working on top of the roof They have the added benefit of fix ing small leaks in the roof and extending its life Light colored roofs should be cleaned each year to keep them reflective IMPROVE WINDOW PERFORMANCE Description Storm windows can be installed over existing windows to improve their insula tion value and dramatically reduce air leakage and drafts Separate removable storm windows can be installed in seasons when heating or cooling is typically necessary and the windows don t need to be opened and removed during more temperate seasons or if windows need to be operable for ventilation Storm windows are most needed in cold climates and less important in warmer regions Jriple track storm windows mounted outside the primary win dows offer the advantages of easily opening and closing as well as providing screens but they are quite expensive and generally must be installed by pro fessionals Interior storm windows have been found to work best for manufac tured homes and only these will be addressed here One of the things that distinguis
2. In the next section of the guide each technique is described in detail including the fol lowing information e How to tell if the technique makes sense for you by describing the situations where the technique will create the most benefit e The level of skill required whether the project is suitable for a homeowner to perform and if so the level of skill required or if it requires professional assis tance e Enough detail for you to carry out a simple do it yourself DIY technique or for more complex projects a basic description of what a professional contractor will do and where to get more information e Approximate costs of doing the project Also included is a list of common sense low cost or no cost lifestyle tips that you can implement today to lower your energy bills A list of resources for additional information is provided at the end of the guide When selecting a professional contractor to perform any work on your manufactured home be sure to choose one who has experience with the specialized techniques and construction characteristics of manufactured homes Your State s Weatherization Assistance Program see Table 3 on Page 4 may be able to direct you to a list of potential contractors You can also locate contractors through your electric utility manufactured home retailer and the yellow pages or by talking to neighbors Always choose licensed contractors and check their references Select a contractor
3. 32 Home Energy Magazine Berkeley CA http www homeenergy org The Web site for this magazine contains many back issues in a searchable database These articles are helpful for more in depth research and practical advice on specific topics Nordyne http www nordyne com Contact for copies of operating and service manuals for Intertherm and Miller heating and cooling equipment The Web site also contains tips for selecting a heating and air conditioning contractor and recommendations for what should be included in an annual maintenance agree ment York International http www york com Contact for copies of operating and service manuals for York heating and cooling equipment Coleman http www colemanac com Contact for copies of operating and service manuals for Coleman heating and cooling equipment
4. You should consider replacing your refrigerator if VY The one you have now is more than 15 years old VY Your refrigerator is not keeping food cold or is especially noisy Techniques Replacing the refrigerator can generate the greatest savings but other techniques can also improve the performance of your existing unit Properly operate your existing refrigerator FREE low skill If you decide not to replace your refrigerator these tips can help save money with your existing one e f the refrigerator is in direct sunlight or near an oven dishwasher or other heat source it has to work harder to stay cool Relocate it if possible or shield it from excess heat Dispose of old refrigerators e Ifthe door seals aren t airtight they won t hold a dol lar bill snugly when closed replace them Old refrigerators are energy hogs that may cost as much as 280 a year to run Keeping one around asa e The proper temperature for refrigerators is between second fridge is an expensive proposition Check with 37 and 40 Fahrenheit freezers should be between your local energy utility to see if they offer refrigerator 0 to 5 A refrigerator that s 10 cooler than it needs recycling incentives and disposal programs to be can use 25 more energy Alternately contact your local municipal solid waste agency to make arrangements for disposal e Manual defrost models should be defrosted regular ly less energy is needed when ther
5. LOW lo e Clean the condensing cooling coils nan Hotter un FREE me Medium e Have a pro perform seasonal maintenance LL ee e Replace the air conditioning system Hotter Pro 8 3 Eliminate leaks in ducts 10 e Seal supply duct connections to boots and registers All SO Medium sae e Seal duct eds ll All Donn LOW 14 e Make sure all registers are fully open gt lt All FREE Low 11 ie a ea TORT rr a co ae eee e Ra ENE i aiid ane er een ee in ak en oe 4 Improve lighting efficiency 14 Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs All Low 14 Sie ea er T PE eai ec i e Clean fixtures All FREE LOW e Use low wattage light bulbs All Low 14 5 Improve refrigerator performance 15 e Properly operate your existing refrigerator All FREE or Low 15 e Buy a new refrigerator All Low 15 6 Improve water heater performance 17 e Insulate the tank gt All Medium 17 ile ae eon eee oo ae ME sasa E Sr errr eave a P oo T ee gt aaa Tae an E ene oer far rome aaa i 4 Se Lee n ee aE ee ee o 7 nn en 7 Reduce solar gain 19 e Install sun screens l Hotter un l igh 19 e Install exterior awnings Hotter Medium 19 Sa eed ain ne ny een aa T ue See ern aera ee ere ee e ten ee a eer ee ee ao ASA r oe 8 Improve window performance 21 e Install interior storm windows Mma Older Medium High 21 e Install plastic disposable window insulating kits Colder Low 22 g Eliminate lea
6. air conditioners are usually behind the front panel Most split system central air conditioners use the furnace s air filter See page 5 Clean or replace the furnace filte In packaged systems the filter is generally found in the main return air register The system s users manual should help you locate it Clean the condensing cooling coils FREE medium skill Clean the condenser annually by following these simple steps 1 Turn off the system at the thermostat if possible or turn the thermostat up to a setting that will not switch on the air conditioner Also turn off the power to the outdoor unit at the main breaker panel or at the disconnect located next to the outdoor unit A If you have a packaged sys tem as described on page 7 check the duct damper and if necessary repair or replace it Air conditioning systems that share ductwork with a furnace must have a damper in the duct It pre vents cool air from entering the furnace cabinet in summer and warm air from escaping to the air conditioner in winter A missing or malfunctioning damper can waste tremendous amounts of energy and lead to corrosion of the furnace Q Bigger is not always better when it comes to your air condi tioner For starters oversized equipment can be less effective at dehumidifying your house Not only can this lead to moisture problems in a home but the higher humidity may result in you keeping the thermostat lower to achieve the sa
7. be cost effective in colder cli mates that have high fuel costs There are at least four different ways to add insulation to walls blowing insulation through holes drilled in the exterior siding blowing insulation through holes drilled in the interior wall installing fiberglass batts after removing the exterior siding and stuffing fiberglass batts into walls from below All of these techniques are diffi cult and expensive On some homes sev eral different methods might be com bined because of variations in the walls i Fo construction Blowing wall insulation Stuffing fiberglass batts into a sidewall Measure your existing insulation level Homes in colder climates should have a minimum of about R 11 in the walls and R 21 in the floor and ceil ing Each inch of fiberglass batt insulation provides an insulating value of about R 3 2 and every inch of loose fill fiberglass provides about R 2 5 For exam ple a wall with 3 1 2 fiberglass batt insulation achieves about R 11 i Since the space under the home must be vented insulated skirting generally is not an effec tive strategy to save energy Figuring out how much insulation there is in your home can be tricky For walls you can sometimes remove the cover plate from an electrical outlet turn ing off power at your circuit breaker first and look into the gap next to the outlet box For floors you may be able to remove a floor mounted heating regis ter For
8. can you see soot near the roof jack chimney cap This may indicate improper flame adjustment Techniques There are some simple things you can do yourself to make sure your heating system operates smoothly other actions require the help of a professional For older heating systems replacement may be the best option Clean or replac furnace filter FREE or low skill Filters help keep the furnace s heat exchanger and blower clean by removing dust from your home s air Furnace filters are generally made of fiberglass or plastic fibers or porous foam that allows air to pass through Return air from the house is filtered as it is pulled through the filter Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of your furnace by restricting airflow Some filters are designed to be vacuumed or washed but most are disposable and need to be replaced when they become clogged Replacement is an easy task that most homeowners can do themselves Filters may be located in a number of places in a furnace depending on the make and model The accompanying diagram shows some of the more common locations Main trunk duct Branch duct A When installing the new fil ter make sure the air flow arrow on the filter points towards the furnace fan A It is especially important to clean pleated filters at least monthly These filters are more efficient at removing dust so they get dirty more quickly than conventional filters which can lead to less
9. especially in need of duct sealing Vv Was your home built before 2000 vV Isthe heating and cooling air distribution in your home uneven that is do some rooms get a lot of air from the registers while others don t get enough vV Is it difficult to heat or cool your home even after having performed heating and air conditioning system maintenance VY Does a visual inspection reveal a deteriorated crossover duct see below Techniques Seal the largest leaks first Duct sealing doesn t require a lot of skill or expensive materi als but you will need time and some dexterity to get at hard to reach places Here s a list of common duct leakage sites followed by repair suggestions 10 Seal supply duct connec s to boots and registers medium skill Supply ducts can be inspected from inside the home First remove the registers You can then inspect the ducts using a mirror and flashlight see figure By placing a utility light in one register and looking toward it with a mirror from the next register you can inspect for leaks and obstructions between those two regis ters The main areas to focus on are connections from the main trunk duct to es gt the supply boots that connect to the Sealing around a register with duct registers Other important sites are con mastic nections to the branch ducts to the fur nace and to the crossover ducts Other types of sys tems that don t use main trunk ducts may require varia
10. example Medium installing water heater insulation wrap a o USS i in cca aaaea Skill High Must be very handy for example fabricating and installing a sim j ple storm window PRO Requiring professional skills and equipment for example installing insulation in the walls A Especially important information or cautions about things to avoid or risks of certain techniques Q Tip for additional energy savings or other benefits The next page contains a list of the energy saving ideas described in the guide The tech niques will provide the greatest savings in the climate indicated Costs are rough approximations and will vary depending on the size and condition of your home as well as the spe cific products and techniques chosen to implement the energy saving retrofit measure For do it yourself measures this is the cost of materials only If the technique is listed as PRO requiring professional assistance then it is the fee charged by the contractor _ A rough estimate of the skill level required to install a given measure Category Home Approximate Skill Page e Technique Climate Cost Number 1 Improve heating system performance 5 e Clean or replace the furnace filter Colder FREEOr LOW ne e Have a pro maintain and tune up the furnace x Colder Bsn PO 6 e Replace the furnace Colder Pro 6 2 Improve cooling system performance 7 e Clean or replace the air filter a Hotter on FREEor
11. have two main L L parts a furnace that heats air and ducts that channel the A Praccouerauel heated air throughout the home This section discusses the furnace turn to page 10 for techniques to improve duct sys tem efficiency The furnace often located inside a closet Register e AAA generates heat by burning natural gas propane or oil or by ms using electricity Heated air from the furnace is then blown through ducts which may be under the floor or in the attic and finally through registers or grates into various rooms Goal Fresh air ventilation A heating system that oper duct ates efficiently reduces Typitalilvordickaystem energy use while providing Cooling coil the necessary comfort High efficiency is important particularly in colder climates There are several com ponents in a manufactured home heating system that Fan blower need to be properly maintained Following the tips in this guide will keep your heating system running smoothly and efficiently and increase its lifespan Heat exchanger I ndicators If you answer YES to any of these questions heating system maintenance is especially important for your home Inside a typical electric furnace closet vV Are you in a colder climate Do you find it difficult to keep your home warm in the winter Does your heating system experience frequent breakdowns Is one part of the house much colder than others S NN SN For combustion furnaces only
12. inspect controls and the starting function How often you should have professional service depends on how much your heating system operates for homes in cold er regions annual service is recommended heating systems in warm regions should be serviced every 2 to 3 years in hotter regions every 3 to 5 years is enough Replace the furnace PRO Furnaces are expensive but are candidates for replacement if they re worn out ineffi cient or bigger than your house needs An oversized furnace can use a lot more power or fuel than a properly sized one Some indicators that you will be better off with a new furnace are e The furnace is over 25 years old e The furnace combustion efficiency as tested by a service technician is lower than 65 percent e The heat exchanger is cracked which you or a service technician may notice during cleaning or inspection e Repair or modification would cost more than half as much as replacement e The furnace does not operate well and can t be fixed e You ve sealed your home s walls floor ceiling page 23 and ducts page 10 installed storm windows page 21 and performed heating system mainte nance and you still can t keep your home warm e The furnace has a standing pilot light A heating system technician can help you evaluate whether a new furnace is appropri ate As part of this evaluation they should measure the efficiency of the existing furnace If you have an electric furna
13. of weatherization materials the best duct sealing material It can be installed with a brush spatula or your fingers if you wear rubber gloves For larger openings or gaps use fiberglass mesh tape to reinforce the duct mastic special tape designed for mastic is available or you can use standard gypsum wall board tape The fin ished coat of mastic should be about 1 8 inch thick and you should not be able to see the seam through the mastic coat Thoroughly clean the duct first with a solvent or steel wool before patching using duct mastic and fiberglass tape replace the insulation and patch the bottom board See Patch replace torn or miss ing bottom board on page 23 In some situations the seams may be accessible from inside the home without removing the furnace Some furnaces have a bottom cooling coil compartment with a removable panel if the fur nace has such a compartment but doesn t have a cooling coil it pro vides a way to access the main duct beneath the furnace Also the heating coils in an electric furnace can be taken out to provide access to the duct though this is a diffi cult and potentially hazardous job that should only be attempted by a Skilled technician Similarly the entire furnace itself can be tem porarily removed to seal leaks but this too is a job best left to profes sionals Duct access hatch sealed with mastic A Whenever working with a furnace especially an elec
14. on how much your cooling system operates for homes in hotter regions where the air conditioner operates eight or more months per year annual service is recommended cooling systems in warm regions where the air conditioner operates five to eight months per year should be serviced every 2 to 3 years in colder regions where the air conditioner operates less than five months per year every 3 to 5 years is usually enough Replace the air conditioning system PRO In some situations it will make sense to replace an older air conditioner with a new high efficiency unit Air conditioner replacement should be considered if the existing unit is worn out inefficient or significantly oversized Repairing an existing air conditioner may seem to be the least expensive option but it may cost more in the long run Paying for repairs on an older inefficient system may simply prolong the inevitable need for replacement Installing a new energy efficient system may be much more cost effective Air conditioner replacement makes sense if e The air conditioner is over 10 years old e The air conditioner efficiency SEER or EER is below 7 or 8 e Repairs or modifications of an existing unit will cost more than half as much as a replacement e The unit does not operate properly and can t be fixed e You ve sealed your home s walls floor ceiling page 23 and ducts page 10 installed storm windows page 21 and performed cooling system m
15. to solar heat though newer low e films let through more visible light while still stopping most of the heat Reflective window films are diffi cult to work with making for a potentially frustrating do it yourself project Professional installation will cost about 3 per square foot Low quality reflective films can become cloudy or start to deteriorate after just a few years high quality ones last longer and have scratch resistant coatings Don t confuse reflective window films with tinted films that color the glass Those films absorb rather than reflect heat so they re not as effective in preventing solar heat from entering the home and they can actually heat the glass to high enough tempera tures to cause damage Use interior shades to block sunlight from entering the home medium skill Window shades and blinds with metalized or bright white reflective surfaces can effec tively block solar heat The following table describes some options available at many window treatment retailers Type Solar heat View and light Opaque roller shades with Reduces solar gain by about 80 white surfaces facing the exterior No view or light when the shades are drawn Preserves the view and lets in some light Roller shades with metalized plastic window film Reduces solar gain by about 50 75 White Venetian blinds Reduces solar gain by about Blocks most of the view and light 40 60 Install a reflective roof coating
16. up to ten times longer They screw into standard light bulb sockets and are available in many sizes and shapes l to fit almost any fixture They re more expensive to buy than incandes cent bulbs but save several times their pur Example of savings from a compact fluorescent bulb chase cost because of reduced electric use and longer life less frequent replacement Compact If you replace one 75 watt incandescent bulb that fluorescent costs 75 and is on for four hours per day with a 20 The packaging for a compact fluorescent lamp lamp watt compact fluorescent lamp that costs 5 and is usually indicates the equivalent wattage of the incandescent also on for four hours per day you ll save about 3 bulb it replaces For example a 20 watt CFL gives off about the by the end of the first year and more than 50 over same amount of light as a 75 watt incandescent bulb Note the expected seven year life of the CFL that CFLs take up to a minute to reach full brightness 0 The lamp that uses the least energy is the one that s switched off Turn off the lights when you don t need them 14 Install energy saving controls on exterior lights medium skill Outdoor lighting should be off when it s not needed during the day and sometimes at night when there s nobody around Photocell switches can automate lights by shutting them off when the sun comes up timers can automatically turn off outdoor lights in the evening such a
17. your ceiling removing a recessed light fixture electrical cover plate from a ceiling hung light fixture or bathroom fan cover plate may reveal the insula tion Alternately in a hidden location such as in a closet or cabinet you can cut a hole into the wall floor or ceiling cavity a hole that can be repaired later One important limiting factor in being able to add insulation to your home may be the thickness of the wall floor or roof cavity If your floor cavity is only 6 deep you ll only be able to achieve about R 15 with loose fill insulation 28 LIFESTYLE TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY Common sense low cost or no cost strategies that you can implement today to lower your energy bills are described below During the cooling season 1 Close drapes or shades on the sunny side of the house to reduce solar heat gain through the windows Set the thermostat to 78 F or higher When the house is empty set it to 82 F or higher Turn off the air conditioner when nobody s home or when cooling isn t needed If conditions permit open windows for ventilation instead of using the air condi tioner Be aware that in very humid conditions opening windows will introduce moisture which may force the air conditioner to work harder to remove If you use an air conditioner leave storm windows and storm doors in place they keep cool air inside when it s hot out just as they keep warm air inside during winter However you may
18. Both connections should be sealed When inspecting the crossover duct make sure it is firmly connected to the home s rigid duct at both ends and that there are no gaps tears or other openings in it The crossover duct should be supported off the ground with strapping or blocks Inspect the crossover duct while the fur nace fan is running feel for air leaking out at all the connections at each end of the duct and at any patches If the flexduct connection is loose or leaky re do the connection by following these steps Step 1 Make sure the collar is screwed to the main trunk duct with at least three screws to prevent it from moving or rotating Step 2 Seal the collar to the main trunk duct with duct mastic or foil tape Step 3 Apply a ring of duct mastic or putty tape around the collar and tighten the flexduct s inner lining against this sealant Use a long plastic cable tie as a permanent Fastening the inner lining of the crossover duct to the clamp collar Step 4 Seal the inner lining of the flexduct to the collar with duct mastic or alu minum tape Step 5 Pull the flexduct s insulation up over the collar and tape it to the underside of the trunk duct Step 6 Tighten the outer layer of the flexduct over the collar and use another cable tie to fix it in place Step 7 Install three pan head screws just under the cable tie so the heads of the screws clamp down on the tie Sometimes old ducts are torn or det
19. aintenance but you still can t keep your home cool A cooling system technician can help you evaluate whether a new air conditioning sys tem is appropriate Use the EnergyGuide Label to compare effi ciencies and pay special attention to ENERGY STAR labeled units which meet Stricter efficiency standards This Model s Efficiency 155E If you are going to replace your central air conditioner and you have electric heat in your home consider replacing the air con ditioner with a heat pump A heat pump combines heating and cooling functions and in the heating mode is far more effi cient than electric resistance heat The Energy efficiency range of all simiter models ENERGY STAR more common air source heat pumps are appropriate for all but the coldest and hottest climates Dispose of old air conditioners properly Make sure that they aren t returned to service and that the refrigerant is properly captured for responsible disposal Contact your local municipal solid waste agency to make arrangements for disposal Other techniques to reduce air conditioner energy cost FREE to low skill Here are a few additional steps you can take to reduce your cooling energy use 1 Supplement your air conditioner with fans The air movement will make you feel cooler and allow you to raise the thermostat reducing air conditioner energy use Turn off fans including ceiling fans when you re not in room leaving them on wastes ener
20. aks more important leakage sites are often in less visible places Leaks in the ducts are also very important to seal see page 10 Goal Following these tips will reduce the unwanted exchange of warm and cold air through your home s walls floor and ceiling which will in turn result in lower heating and cool ing costs It will also make your home a lot more comfortable by reducing drafts Indicators Almost all homes can benefit from air sealing If you answer YES to any of these ques tions your home may be especially in need of sealing vV Is your home more than 10 years old Y Do you frequently feel drafts on windy days vV in winter is the air near the floor more than about 5 cooler than the air near the ceiling vV Is it difficult to heat or cool your home even after having performed heating system page 5 and air conditioning system page 7 maintenance Techniques In general large openings should be tackled first then smaller ones and finally the little holes and cracks Most of these techniques do not require skill or expensive materials but they will require time and care Descriptions of common leakage sites listed in order of importance fol low below along with repair suggestions oF missing bottom board medium skill Patch replace torn The bottom board also called the belly or underbelly is the protective cov ering on the bottom of the home If torn it can be a major source of air leakag
21. aphs and diagrams to explain repair and upgrade procedures It is geared towards the handy do it yourselfer but is very useful for any manufactured home owner Specific items of interest include cleaning a water heater tank making wood framed storm windows repairing primary windows and insulating manufactured homes Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings 8th Edition by Alex Wilson Jennifer Thorne and John Morrill American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy 2003 http www aceee org This 247 page comprehensive reference guide is written in plain English and is full of tips charts diagrams and explanations of a myriad of energy savings strategies Of particular interest is the detailed infor mation on when and how to select a new furnace air conditioner and water heater DOE Energy Savers Booklets http www eere energy gov energy_savers This free booklet is also available in Spanish It is a guide to easy practical solutions for saving energy throughout the home from insulation to appliances and light ing It can be downloaded from the Web site above or ordered by calling 1 877 EERE INF 1 877 337 3463 Weatherization Field Guide for Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Weatherization Assistance Center 2004 http www pct edu wtc This is the handbook used to train weatherization contractors working in Pennsylvania It contains a special chapter on manufactured homes and in particular contains a great deal of detail on insula
22. aving Money by Saving Re a l x F Enri Le REFRIGERATOR e WATER HEATER e LIGHTING 2 y gr e DUCTS e COOLING SYSTEM INSULATION e HEATING SYSTEM PPa ei pa pimi MEE i iN ed Ea Fa EEN EU E i a el ii aye ye Pes ah ee Sa web Manufactured nA Housing Research Alliance aving Money by Saving Energy in Manufactured Homes Low cost energy saving tips techniques and recommendations designed especially for manufactured homes Manufactured Housing Research Alliance 2109 Broadway Suite 200 New York New York 10023 www mhrahome org Available to the public from U S Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Housing and Development and Research 451 7th Street SW Washington DC 20410 Web site http www huduser org ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project was made possible through funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD Michael Blanford and David Engel with HUD recognized the need for this guide and provided invaluable leadership and editorial guidance This publication was prepared by the Manufactured Housing Research Alliance with the assistance of The Levy Partnership Inc and D amp R International Ltd Emanuel Levy Jordan Dentz Sandra Ho and Chris O Neal The Levy Partnership Inc and Chris Rivera D amp R International were principally responsible for writing the gui
23. ce and have high heating bills then consider adding a heat pump A heat pump combines heating and cooling functions and in the heating mode is far more efficient than electric resistance heat The more common air source heat pumps are appropriate for all but the hottest and coldest climates Choose only a sealed combustion furnace specifically designed for use in a manufac tured home Sealed combustion furnaces draw in the air needed for combustion directly from the outside not from the home itself IMPROVE COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE Description There are two broad categories of air conditioners individual room units the kind usually mounted in windows and central systems Central air conditioners can be further categorized into split systems in which the compressor condenser is located outdoors while the evaporator is inside the home and packaged systems in which the entire unit sits outside with ducts carrying air to and from the house In either type of central system chilled air is blown through ducts located either under the floor or in the attic and into the living space through registers or grates see diagrams Goal An efficiently operating cooling system is critical to decreased ener gy use and increased comfort particularly in warm climates A well maintained air conditioning system will use 15 to 40 less energy than a neglected one There are several components in cooling sys tems that need to be properly mai
24. de and coordinating the contributions of other manufactured home experts This publication would not have been possible without the valuable advice and input of many people Special thanks go to Alex Wilson Mark Peipkorn and Julia Jandrisits of Building Green Inc Major contributions were also made by weatherization professionals who are on the front lines of improving energy efficiency of existing homes in America including Bill Beachy and Anthony Cox New River Center for Energy Research and Training Bob Scott West Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program and Cal Steiner North Dakota Weatherization Assistance Program Thanks also to those who reviewed and commented on drafts of this guide including Elizabeth Cocke Victor Ferrante and Rick Mendlen HUD Brian Ng and Chandler Von Schrader Environmental Protection Agency Larry Boyce Nordyne Inc Gerald Colburn Rheem Water Heaters Francis Conlin ComfortWorks Robert Garcia Fleetwood Enterprises Inc Omar Gaudette Steven C Church and Julie A White Whirlpool Corp Mike Kinard Kinro Inc Keith Ledet GE Consumer Products Michael McKitrick Alcan Composites Inc Joe Neer ITW Foamseal Mark Nunn Manufactured Housing Institute Chris Parish Parrish Manor Kathy Presciano GE Lighting Dwight Schuler Owens Corning Inc Terry Small and Doug Hayes Mortex Products Inc Jim Welz Philips Products and Alan Zimmerman York International Corp Research wa
25. e driving up energy costs and a potential source of moisture prob TAA lems Patching the bottom board with durable materials designed for that Using mastic to seal a bottom purpose is the best way to reduce this type of energy loss board patch Bottom boards consist of either a flexible paper or fabric or rigid material mee have a flexible bottom board use similar material for a patch or purchase special patching material from a manufactured home sup ply retailer A combination of adhesives foam and fasteners works best for pro ducing a long lasting airtight seal When possible fasten patches to the floor ai aia a joists with staples nails or screws If NO Bottom board penetrations sealed with backing is available you can use con patch and foam struction adhesive to glue the patch to the bottom board A variety of materials are used for rigid bottom boards Using foam sealant on the including plywood paneling and rigid insulation To patch a bottom board rigid bottom board cut a rectangle around the damaged part 23 Backer board Patch Patching a rigid bottom board Fiberboard bottom board and remove it Then insert one or more pieces of wood or plywood backer board large enough to overlap the empty rectangular hole Drive screws up through the bottom board and into this backer board to hold it tightly in place This provides something rigid to secure the patch to Cut a patch slightly smaller t
26. e a big source of air leakage wasting ener gy and potentially causing moisture problems in most cli mates Floor insulation is commonly added to manufactured homes by blowing loose fiberglass wool through a hose into holes cut in the bottom board The holes should be sealed with a durable patch See page 23 after the insulation is added Alternatively insulation may be added through a fill tube inserted into holes cut in the home s rim joists how ever care must be taken not to damage the joists structural l integrity These holes should also be patched f o Add insulation to the roof PRO Adding insulation to roof cavities is cost effective in most climates for manufactured homes that don t have adequate ceiling insulation The primary benefit is reduced winter heating loads but it also reduces summer cooling costs Typically roof cavity ceiling insulation is blown in through holes in the ceiling holes in the roof or holes through the raised edge of a home s metal roof If insulation is added through the ceiling holes will need to be drilled between each roof truss and in each half of double section homes The holes should be patched afterward with unobtrusive gypsum board plastic plugs or trim board If blown through the roof the roof must be repaired afterward to prevent water leakage Insulation can also be blown in from the end of the home with a long pipe Before adding insulation to the roof cavity the ceilin
27. e s no frost buildup e Make sure that air can circulate freely behind the refrigerator or wherever the coils are located Air flow is required to carry heat away e Periodically vacuum off the coils to improve the operating efficiency Buy a new refrigerator low skill Refrigerators have an EnergyGuide label often a tag hanging inside the unit that tells you how much electricity they use based on stan dard test conditions Pick one with low annual energy cost the smaller the number of kilowatt hours kWh the less it will cost to operate The triangular shaped arrow should be to the left of center on the energy use line in the middle of the EnergyGuide EE 15 Check with your local utility to see if they offer rebates on new energy efficient models or recycling incentives for older models Other buying tips ENERGY STAR Refrigerator freezers that have the freezer compartment on the top or the bot tom are generally more energy efficient than side by side models of a similar size Look for ENERGY STAR qualified models which are among the most energy efficient models sold These will be indicated by a blue label such as the one at right p e Arefrigerator that s bigger than you need can waste energy and space One that s smaller than you need can mean extra driving for groceries Carefully con sider what size is best for you IMPROVE WATER HEATER PERFORMANCE Description Most manufactured homes have convent
28. eaky faucets and show with vinyl tape and wrap the entire heater erheads can waste huge loosely with wire ties to hold the insulation in amounts of water and place No matter how you choose to insulate energy if it s the hot water the water heater pay close attention to these that s leaking A leak that produces one drop per insulation jacket Safety instructions second will waste over e Cover the sides and top of the heater but cut flaps for 190 gallons per month or the electric element access panels and the thermostat 2 300 gallons per year A leak that fills an 8 ounce e Do not cover warning labels on the tank cup in a minute will waste 2 700 gallons per month and 33 000 gallons per year enough to fill a swim ming pool If this is hot water that s a lot of water heating dollars down the drain e Do not insulate gas or oil fired water heater tanks Over time the insulation may sag blocking air intakes and creating a safety hazard Insulate water pipes leading from the tank low skill Insulating the water pipes slows heat loss it also raises the temperature of hot water at the tap by 2 to 4 which lets you lower the temperature setting on the water heater Pipe insulation is usually a foam sleeve slit lengthwise that costs less than 50 per foot at home centers Insulate all of the hot water piping that is accessible It is especially important to insulate the first six feet of pipe coming out of the wate
29. efficient operation and shorter furnace life Return air Possible Z filter locations o Filter s may be clipped to the back of the furnace door if it has air inlets Plenum Possible furnace filter locations A Unvented kerosene and gas heaters should be avoided Kerosene heaters can be a fire hazard and both kerosene and gas heaters introduce water vapor to the home a byproduct of combustion If not operating properly unvented kerosene and gas heaters can release danger ous indoor air pollutants Q Check with your local electric utility about incentives for installing a heat pump A coil if air conditioned While electric furnaces and heat pumps always have air filters some gas and oil furnaces do not If you have a furnace without an air filter you should install one Check with a heating system technician if you are unsure how to add a filter During the heating season check the air filter every month and clean or replace it if it appears dirty Filters cost at most a few dollars and are available at most hardware stores and home centers Dirty furnace filter Have a professional maintain and tune up furnace PRO A professional service technician should be brought in periodically to check thermostat operation clean adjust and lubricate moving parts tighten electrical connections and inspect electrical parts check fuel connections test the combustion efficiency and
30. eriorated Replace them with new flexduct prefer ably with at least R 8 insulation When replacing a crossover duct keep it straight and use the minimum length necessary Inspect and repair d rom under the home high skill At connections where branch ducts meet the main duct holes must be sealed from underneath the home You might have to cut openings in the bottom board to access the ducts Don t attempt this unless you re prepared to seal the bottom board back up when you re done Working under the home can be difficult and hazardous wear gog gles gloves long sleeved shirts and other protective gear To locate joints in the duct system look inside the house for registers that are offset from the main duct Using exterior walls and windows as reference points measure to the place where the ducts meet then use those measurements in the crawl space to determine just where to cut through the bottom board Seal these joints with duct mastic then repair any penetra tions through the bottom board See Patch replace torn or missing bottom board on page 23 Seal beneath the furnace materials high skill to PRO This is the area in the duct system with the highest air pressure so it s the most impor tant place to seal A metal box or plenum typically connects the furnace to the main duct The seams between the furnace and the plenum and between the plenum and the main duct should be carefully sealed You can usually acc
31. ers as kits or already assembled The kits are designed to be installed by homeowners with a mini mum of experience and tools the preassembled storm windows usually require more skill and equipment Interior storm windows can be either fixed or sliding Fixed storm windows are removed seasonally either the entire panel is removed or the sash is removed and a frame remains behind The bottom of a fixed storm window should be supported by a sill clip 21 A Old jalousie and awning windows require special storm window frames with holes to accommodate the protruding cranks or the cranks can be removed when the storms are installed A Don t install a fixed storm window over a fire escape egress window without making sure that everyone living in the home can quickly and easily remove it 22 or on a wood or aluminum strip to support the window s weight Because they are removed seasonally they can be lost or damaged For the handy do it yourselfer fixed storm windows can be made from wood frames and plastic sheeting Sliding storm windows are more expensive than fixed ones They usually have aluminum or vinyl frames and a spring loaded latch Their primary advantage is that they can be left on all year long and opened for ventilation They re compatible with vertical or hori zontal sliding primary windows Often a combination of fixed and sliding storm windows is the best solution with the sliding windows being used f
32. ess the plenum from underneath the home following these steps Step 1 Cut open the bottom board beneath the furnace and push aside the insula tion Step 2 Cut an 8 to 10 inch square or rectangular temporary access hatch in the bottom of the duct directly under the furnace but only cut three sides of the hole leaving a flap Through this temporary hatch you can see the fur nace to duct connection and can seal any leaks with duct mastic and fiber glass reinforcing mesh tape The cut metal will have sharp edges Line the edges of the hole temporarily with duct tape to prevent injury Step 3 Seal the temporary access hatch that you cut into the duct Duct sealing materials Do not use duct tape Before long the adhesive will fail and the tape will fall off Recommended materials are e Silicone caulk excellent for sealing small holes and narrow cracks it is widely available at home centers e Aluminum foil faced butyl tape available from heating and cooling wholesalers good for large holes and cracks especially in corners If possible install tape on the inside of ducts because air pressure may eventually push it off if it s on the outside Clean and dry surfaces well and tightly stretch the tape over the duct For a longer lasting seal secure the tape with staples into wood or mastic on metal e Acrylic duct mastic a thin putty available from heating and cooling equipment suppliers and mail order suppliers
33. exterior except to stop water from leaking in machines and around hose bibs and outdoor faucets Penetrations for electrical outlets service pan els and light fixtures Flue and vent pipes Exhaust fans Openings from closets and cabinets into walls floors or attic Hole in floor at plumbing penetration behind tub Cover window air conditioners low skill If left in place during the winter months window air conditioners can result in very sig nificant air leakage through the unit Interior and exterior covers available at home cen ters can reduce this leakage Alternately the units can be removed and the windows 24 closed and weatherized During the entire year gaps around window air conditioners should be sealed Seal leaky windows particularly if they do not close properly low skill Weatherstripping or caulk can be used to seal cracks and gaps around window frames Alternatively do it yourself plastic window insulating kits available at hardware stores can reduce winter drafts coming from leaky windows A more expensive option that also improves window insulation is to install storm windows see page 21 A Special attention should be paid to sealing jalousie and older crank out awning windows as these are often especially leaky Windows should be repaired if they no longer operate properly or if glass is broken A contractor can help with this task Replacing entire windows with better
34. g air leaks such as around a pipe flue or wiring that passes through the patch Caulk works well for small cracks Openings more than about a quarter inch wide should be stuffed with foam rubber backer rod or some other compressible material and then caulked or sealed with expanding foam For most indoor applications a good quality latex caulk is sat isfactory It s inexpensive easy to apply paintable and cleans up with water For exterior applications more expensive sili cone or polyurethane caulk will perform better Areas that are exposed to heated surfaces such as around flues should be sealed with a caulk specially formulated for high temperatures Urethane foam sealant available in a can is excellent for seal ing small to medium sized openings in a wide variety of loca tions including the bottom board Some common leakage sites include e Openings between the furnace closet and the attic and or floor cavity e Plumbing penetrations where pipes enter exterior walls or between exterior unheated water heater closets and adjoining rooms oak under sinks behind and under bathtubs in back of washing a a A The most important surface to seal in manufactured homes is the interior wall surface The exterior wall surface is designed as a weather barrier to prevent rain from leaking in but often is designed to be vented so that if water gets into the wall it can dry to the exterior Don t seal the walls from the
35. g should be sealed against air leakage to prevent insulation dust and fibers from blowing into the living area Another method of adding roof insulation to manufactured homes with unvented metal roofs is to install rigid insulation boards right on top of the existing roof then installing new waterproof roofing on top of the insulation This is a more expensive option and it should be done in conjunction with blowing insulation into the roof cavity to maximize effective ness Before selecting this ty is tightly sealed against air infiltration A leaky attic will negate much of the benefit of added roof insulation Blowing insulation through the ceiling Plugging the ceiling hole Blowing insulation into the roof option make sure the attic cavi A The insulation contractor should be careful not to damage ducts in the floor with their blow ing equipment Blowing insulation into the floor cavity A When adding roof cavity insulation the contractor must take care to maintain clearances between the insulation and recessed ceiling light fixtures and flues to avoid overheating make sure the ceiling is strong enough to support the weight of the addi tional insulation and not block ventilation in vented attics 27 Add insulation to sidewalls PRO The walls of older manufactured homes may have significant voids where insulation is miss ing Adding wall insulation is difficult and expensive but it can
36. gy and actually adds heat from the motor 2 Nighttime ventilation is another low cost cooling strategy If the temperature and humidity drops after the sun goes down open the windows to exhaust indoor air and pull cool outdoor air into the house Sunlight on the exterior portion of your air conditioner either room units or cen tral system compressor will reduce its efficiency Shade the outside compo nents of a central system and place room units on the north and or east side of the house Be sure not to restrict air flow around the unit however Shading an outdoor compressor can improve energy efficiency 3 ELIMINATE LEAKS IN DUCTS Description Most manufactured homes have forced air heating systems Air from the home is forced through the furnace where it is warmed by a hot metal heat exchanger or electric heat ing coils The warm air is then blown through a system of ducts and out into each room through registers In most homes with central air conditioning the same ducts are used for delivering chilled air during the summer The ducts may be in the floor most common or in the ceiling usually only in hotter cli mates Typically each section of a manufactured home has a main trunk duct running its length Multi section homes such as double wide units usually have crossover ducts that connect the main trunk ducts With ceiling duct systems the crossover is in the attic and usually inaccessible In floor duct
37. h manufactured homes from other types of Interior storm window homes are the way windows are installed For that reason not all storm windows with flexible plastic will work on manufactured homes Be sure you select windows suitable for your glazing home Goal Following these tips will reduce the cost of heating your home and make it more comfort able during the coldest times of the year ndicators If you answer YES to any of these questions you should consider adding storm windows vV Are you in a colder climate v Was your home built prior to 1976 and does it have the original windows After 1976 manufacturers were required to provide homes with either double pane windows or storm windows in many parts of the country Vv Was your home built after 1976 but the original storm windows are lost or broken and your primary windows are single pane Jalousie windows with Do you have jalousie windows louvered pieces of glass are notoriously leaky and should be replaced S V Do the windows feel uncomfortably cold in winter and you notice drafts coming through them Y Do your heating bills seem excessive Techniques There are a number of options for adding storm windows to manufactured homes Install interior storm windows medium to high skill A number of different types of interior storm windows are available for different budgets and primary window types Storm windows are available from home cent
38. han the open ing and fasten it to the backer board with screws Then caulk the joint around the patch providing a good seal to the original bottom board Seal gaps and cracks in the walls floor and ceiling medium skill To seal large openings use a piece of material that is the same as or similar to the sur Avoiding moisture problems As you reduce air leakage through your home s walls floor and ceiling taking steps to avoid moisture prob lems can become more important This is especially true in hot humid climates for homes that are air conditioned The following tips are useful for all homes e Ensure that kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are operable and used regularly bath fans should be wired to the light switch and operate when the light is on e Make sure that clothes dryer vents are unobstruct ed and exhaust directly to the outside they should not be vented to the crawlspace under the home Install and periodically clean rain gutters use a downspout and extension to direct water away from the home e Maintain or install a 6 mil plastic vapor barrier on the entire ground surface under the home face being patched To cover a hole in a concealed area such as behind a washing machine cut a patch that overlaps the opening by a few inches on all sides Apply adhesive around the opening and press the patch into place Use screws or nails if necessary Then use caulk or expanding foam to seal remainin
39. ing huge amounts of heating or cooling energy Furnaces air conditioners and water heaters that have been running for years gradually lose efficiency especially if regular cleaning and maintenance hasn t been done All these things add up Technologies change While your manufactured home may have been built to the energy standards of the time dramatic progress has been made over the past couple decades with high efficiency mechanical equipment insulation windows and so forth Our understanding of how to retrofit manufactured homes for energy savings has also improved through years of experience as has our knowledge of how to prevent moisture problems Energy costs are going up Whether you use electricity natural gas propane or oil many experts believe that prices will continue to rise Improving your home now guards against future increases and rolls back the costs you re paying today Protection from much higher costs in the future may be particularly important if you re nearing retirement and will be on a fixed income Why save energy Five good reasons why an energy retrofit makes sense How to tell if you can benefit from improving your home s energy performance Your home is a good candidate for upgrade if Lower energy and homeownership costs Protection against future increases in energy costs Improved comfort fewer drafts more comfortable temperatures less tempera ture fluctuation floor to ceiling and from room
40. ional storage tank water heaters locat ed in closets Older manufactured homes sometimes have smaller water heaters in kitchen cabinets instead Electric and gas fired water heaters are the most common Goal Water heating accounts for about 15 of energy costs in a typical manufac tured home Improving the energy efficiency of the water heater can save a Sig nificant amount of money over the water heater s lifetime l ndicators Electric water heater Nearly every home can benefit from water heater maintenance and efficiency improvements The more hot water your family uses the greater the opportunities for A Before attempting any work on your electric water heater a make sure the power to it is shut e off at the circuit breaker Techniques There are a number of simple actions you can take to reduce your water heating expense A Important safety precau e tank tions must be taken when insu medium skill lating a water heater Insulating an electric water heater is one of the most effective and least expensive energy saving steps you can take saving more than enough money in one year to pay for the cost of doing it After that the savings go in your pocket Insulation jackets for water heaters usu ally cost 20 or less at home centers Follow the installation instructions that come with Fix Those Leaks the jacket Alternatively standard fiberglass Insula batt insulation can be used Seal the seams L
41. it your budget and your home s characteristics and location There are many ways to save energy and reduce costs the techniques covered here pro vide exceptional value for manufactured home owners and will pay for themselves rela tively quickly through energy savings The retrofit techniques are divided into ten categories shown in Table 2 Each category contains a number of related techniques In general the top item s in each category are easier to complete and cost less The techniques in the latter categories typically require greater skill and cost more but they also provide greater energy savings Table 2 also indicates the approximate cost and skill level of each technique and the cli mate in which that technique is most appropriate You re in a colder climate if your ener gy bills are highest in winter and you re in a hotter climate if your power bills are higher in summer An explanation of the symbols used in the table and throughout the guide is provided below Table 1 Key to symbols describing each energy Feature Symbol Definition savings technique ieres ading re H technique provides exceptional energy savings relative to its FREE No cost Cost less than 100 Approximate Cost E E ec ance onl es eb cca a acd E acai Ga NaC alge dae SS Cost between 100 and 500 SSS Cost over 500 Low No skill required for example changing a light bulb or a filter Ability to use basic tools and follow directions for
42. ks in the walls floor and ceiling 23 e Patch replace torn or missing bottom board a Medium 23 e Seal gaps and cracks in the walls floor and ceiling All Medium 24 ee tartan ernie ini in aa a eas e Seal leaky windows A how 25 e Fix poorly fitting exterior doors All Medium 25 10 Insulate walls floor and ceiling 26 e Add insulation to the floor ne Older a PEO san es e Add insulation to the roof All Pro 27 aa er ern ene ay gt Table 2 Energy saving tech niques described in this guide Table 3 Getting help a list of programs that offer financial and other assistance Selecting a pro The following table contains a list of programs that offer financial and other assistance Program How to Contact What they can do Free home weatherization for quali fied applicants often have long wait ing lists Weatherization http www eere energy gov weatheriza Assistance Programs tion Yellow Pages under weatherization Varies by state some offer technical assistance and or rebates or other incentives for energy efficiency upgrades State energy offices Access state agency directory Home Performance with ENERGY STAR http www energystar gov Refer you to a qualified contractor Some utilities offer rebates or other incentives for energy efficiency upgrades Utilities Contact your power company Municipal programs Yellow Pages under city country or town Available in some areas
43. ling air leaks in the ducts page 10 walls floor and ceiling page 23 S In colder climates are the walls cool to the touch in winter v During the winter is the air near the floor of your home at least 5 cooler than the air near the ceiling and is the house drafty v Using the techniques described in the box Measure your existing insulation level on page 28 is your home significantly underinsulated and is there room for more insulation to be added to your floor ceiling and or walls Techniques Adding insulation to a manufactured home is almost always a job best done by profes sionals Specialized equipment is usually required and the sort of caution learned by experience must be taken to prevent structural damage to the home or moisture prob lems In general adding insulation to the floor is the most cost effective approach with manufactured homes followed by adding insulation to the ceiling The amount of insula tion that can be cost effectively added to wall floor or ceiling cavities depends on the amount of insulation already there how much empty space remains and your local cli mate and fuel costs The following descriptions of these options will give you an idea of what a professional contractor will do when these upgrades are performed Add insulation to the floor PRO Floors in older manufactured homes can lose a lot of heat in cool climates due to relatively low levels of insulation Floors can also b
44. me comfort level increasing your energy use An oversized unit also cycles on and off more frequently which increases wear and tear short ens the service life increases the frequency of repairs and reduces efficiency Plus it costs more to purchase oversized equipment in the first place If purchasing a new air conditioner cooling loads should be carefully calcu lated by your equipment suppli er a If you live in a hot dry cli mate such as the Southwest an evaporative cooler swamp cool er may be a good alternative to a refrigerant cycle air conditioner They use considerably less ener gy than standard air condition ers Check with a local air condi tioning contractor to find out if such a system might make sense for your home 2 Clean any loose debris from around the unit and clean it with gentle household Soap and water 3 Allow the outdoor unit to completely dry before turning on the power at the main breaker panel After the main power has been restored turn on the system at the thermostat or set the thermostat for normal operation Have a professional pe seasonal maintenance and tune up of central air conditioning systems PRO Air conditioner adjustments and repairs should be done by professionals A professional service technician should clean evaporator and condenser coils check refrigerant pres sures and adjust and lubricate moving parts How often you need professional mainte nance depends
45. me in winter and keeping the heat out of your air conditioned home in summer Like a blanket the thicker the insulation the better it works The performance level of insulation is called its R value which indicates its resistance to heat flow As R value goes up energy use goes down Insulation in manufactured home walls and floors is usually fiberglass batts ceiling insulation is usually loose fill fiber glass or cellulose Prior to the first energy crisis in 1973 most homes built in the U S including manufactured homes contained little insulation The level of insulation used in homes has been increasing ever since The recom mended amount of insulation for a given house depends on its climate colder climates generally demand more insula tion Goal Determine if your home is a candidate for adding insulation Decide what part of your home if any should be insulated floor ceiling and or walls I ndicators Many manufactured homes can benefit from additional insulation If you answer YES to any of these questions your home may be a candidate vV Was your home built before 1994 That year stricter insulation standards went into effect If your home was built before 1976 and has never been upgraded then it can almost certainly benefit from more insulation vV Is it difficult to heat or cool your home even after having performed heating system page 5 and air conditioning system page 7 maintenance and sea
46. ng elements aren t used for drying Reduce hot water waste Don t leave the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving Turn the water heater off when everyone will be gone longer than a week Turn off lights televisions and stereos when you leave the room Plug televi sions and stereos into a power strip that can be switched off to eliminate stand by power consumption called phantom loads It will take equipment slightly longer to turn on but will save the energy they use even when they re turned off 29 30 10 11 12 13 Turn off outdoor lighting during the day see page 14 for more on photo sensor controls Use natural daylight indoors during the daytime by opening the drapes or shades Maintain your refrigerator at an optimal temperature setting 37 to 40 for the refrigerator compartment and o to 5 for the freezer Let hot foods cool off before you put them in the refrigerator or freezer Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator Uncovered foods release moisture and make the refrigerator work harder Reduce or eliminate the use of high energy use appliances such as a second refrigerator WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION Publications 1 Web Your Mobile Home Energy and Repair Guide for Manufactured Housing by John Krigger Saturn Resource Management Helena MT http www residential energy com This comprehensive and detailed guidebook contains many photo gr
47. ntained Following the tips in this brochure will extend the life of your cooling system and keep it run ning smoothly and efficiently I ndicators If you have central air conditioning or a heat pump and answer YES to any of these questions cooling system maintenance is especially important for your home vV Are you in a hot climate V Do you find it difficult to keep your home cool in summer VY Does your cooling system experience frequent breakdowns Techniques Furnace with evaporator coils Compressor Condenser Return register Supply register Trunk duct Packaged condenser evaporator unit Packaged system air conditioner There are some simple things you can do to make sure your cooling system operates smoothly other actions require the assistance of a professional With older and ineffi cient cooling systems replacement is often the best option e air filter w Skill Clean or rep FREE or A Air conditioners will have an air filter to prevent dirt from building up on the cooling coils Examine your unit s filter once a month during the cooling season and clean or replace it when it appears dirty which can indicate clogging This alone can reduce your cooling energy use by 5 to 15 Many filters are designed to be cleaned but still may need to be replaced occasionally this is an easy and inexpensive task that most home owners can do themselves Filters in room
48. or every 10 you turn down the water heater you ll save about 3 to 5 on water heat ing costs A setting of 120 usually halfway between low and medium is usually hot enough If you have a dishwasher without booster heat set the thermostat at 140 typi cally medium Some electric water heaters have two thermostats one for each ele ment Adjust both to the same setting A side benefit of lower thermostat setting is that lower water temperature reduces the risk of children scalding themselves You can check the temperature of your water at the taps by continually running hot water in cup with a thermometer placed in it Clean the tank FREE medium skill Once a year drain a gallon of water through the spigot at the bottom of the water heater to remove sediment which decreases its energy efficiency and can in some situations provide a more protected environment where Legionella bacteria can grow I nstall low flow showerheads and faucet aerators low skill If you have an older showerhead it may use as much as 5 or 7 gallons per minute wasting a tremendous amount of hot water Replacing it with a high quality new one that uses no more than 2 5 gallons per minute will probably pay for itself in a matter of months and you ll be far less likely to run out of hot water In many homes the existing showerhead can be unscrewed and a new one installed you ll need a pipe wrench and Teflon tape Faucets should also be re
49. or ventilation and emergency egress requirements When considering window material the choice is either glass or plastic Plastic glazing costs less than glass It s also lighter which is a big benefit for removable storm win dows Both rigid plastics acrylic and polycarbonate and flexible plastics vinyl poly ester and polyethylene are available Each material has advantages and disadvan tages For example acrylic is prone to scratching polycarbonate may yellow over time and thinner flexible plastics may tear Whatever type of storm window you choose the frame should seal tightly and continu ously against the interior wall or window trim using foam foam tape magnetic seal or other method I nstall plastic disposable window insulating kits low skill These plastic kits available at home centers and other retail outlets are designed to be applied over the primary windows for seasonal use They install with double sided tape and shrink to fit with heat from a hair dryer Effective at reducing air leakage through cracks around windows and patio doors these kits are a low cost alternative to storm windows ELIMINATE LEAKS IN THE WALLS FLOOR AND CEILING Description Air leaking through the walls floors and ceilings of your home can have a significant impact on your heating and cooling bills as well as your comfort It can also contribute to moisture related problems While windows and doors are common sources of air le
50. performing units is generally not cost effective from an energy standpoint unless the windows need to be replaced anyway Fix poorly fitting exterior doors medium skill If the door itself is in good shape but air leaks in around the edges weatherstripping may be the answer The first thing to check before starting is the kind of door your home has does it open out or open in Doors that swing out usually have weatherstripping attached in a track on the door frame but sometimes on the door itself The weatherstripping on these doors is typically a vinyl flap The vinyl flap can be replaced or you can add silicone tube weatherstripping to it Doors that open in are weatherstripped the same way as doors on site built homes Just follow the instructions on the packaging for the weatherstripping product you select When shopping for weatherstripping look for flexibility and longevity Silicone rubber neoprene rubber and plastic jacketed foam rubber are recommended Vinyl tubing felt and foam tapes generally will not perform as well or last as long 25 IO INSULATE THE WALLS FLOORS AND Q Prevent rising damp by lay ing plastic sheeting on the bot tom of the crawl space this can prevent condensation from mak ing the insulation wet which reduces its performance and helps prevent moisture problems 26 CEILING Description Insulation in walls floors and ceilings acts like a blanket keeping the heat inside your ho
51. r heater Fasten the insulation sleeve with tape wire or cable ties at least Pipe insulation once per foot For a snug fit get pipe insulation that has an 17 A If the water heater tempera ture isn t high enough there are some circumstances in which Legionella bacteria can grow the cause of Legionnaires disease 120 is usually considered hot enough to prevent this but homeowners at high risk of sus ceptibility Such as transplant patients and smokers with chron ic lung conditions may be advised to keep their water heater settings higher 140 Check with a physician if uncer tain Q If you ll be away for an extended period turn the ther mostat to the lowest possible setting or turn the water heater off completely make sure you know how to relight the pilot light if your gas heater has one A Make sure the power is off to electric heaters before drain ing the tank Exposing the elec tric elements to the air with the power on may cause them to burn out A Older tanks that have never been cleaned will often require additional procedures Check with a service technician inside diameter that s the same as the outside diameter of the pipe Miter cut corners and tape them closed Insulating cold water pipes is also beneficial especially in humid climates It will reduce sweating in summer a problem than can cause moisture dam age Lower the wate ater thermostat FREE low skill F
52. s patio lights that are no longer needed when you go indoors and motion sensors which sometimes have built in photocell switches can turn on the lights only when they detect movement These devices are available at hardware stores and home centers for as little as 15 Hard wired fixtures may require an electrician Clean fixtures FREE low skill Lamps lampshades and light bulbs should be kept clean to maximize light output You may even find that once a fixture is clean it gives off the same amount of light with a lower wattage bulb Use low wattage light bulbs low skill In some fixtures it s possible to use lower wattage light bulbs without any reduction in functional light quality IMPROVE REFRIGERATOR PERFORMANCE Description Refrigerators account for about one sixth of the typical electric bill for an American home and 9 of the total energy electricity gas and oil used in manufactured homes Old inefficient models may be candi dates for replacement Goal Today s refrigerators use 40 less electricity than 20 year old models An old inefficient refrigerator can cost up to 280 a year to run a new efficient refrigerator while expensive can save more than 150 each year over a 20 year old model While the savings will be less if replac ing a younger refrigerator it still will save between 35 and 70 per year That s 525 to 1 050 during the 15 year typical lifespan of a refrigerator I ndicators
53. s performed under contract with the Office of Policy Development and Research US Department of Housing and Urban Development NOTICE This booklet was prepared by an agency of the United States government Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof nor any of their employ ees nor the authors makes any warranty express or implied or assumes any legal lia bility or responsibility for the accuracy completeness or usefulness of any information apparatus product or process disclosed or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights Reference herein to any specific commercial product process or service by trade name trademark manufacturer or otherwise does not necessarily con stitute or imply its endorsement recommendation or favoring by the United States gov ernment or any agency thereof The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof IS UPGRADING YOUR HOME FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY RIGHT FOR YOU Why older manufactured homes are good candidates for energy efficiency retrofits All homes experience wear and tear Whether your home is five or fifty years old chances are good that it can benefit from cost effective measures to improve its energy efficiency Wind and vibrations can loosen up a tight home increasing air leakage windows may no longer close tightly and ductwork can spring leaks wast
54. systems the crossover is beneath the home and accessible from the crawlspace see diagrams Leaky ducts are common Crossover duct connects x two attic plenum boxes in in older manufactured N Each section has a s N multisection homes _ F N megdane 2 homes and can dramatical i SU eat ly increase heating and center of the belly cooling bills It is not Uncommon for an older Registers are located above supply boots which connect directly a LA 3 os to the main trunks a GS YY ae PA J F AP J pe Insulated f ee duct system to lose 20 of gt ae Coa ae Sun plenum boxin the heated or chilled air to EO or divide into ee ee the outside If your annual Sacer nee GP rng May have branches unction bores located heating and cooling bill is homes a SN 2 000 and your ducts are ca leaky you could be spend a i ing 400 every year to Typical floor duct system Typical attic duct system heat and cool the out doors Goal Compared to other energy retrofit measures in a typical manufactured home sealing the ductwork has one of the largest payoffs rel ative to its cost You ll save on your heating and cooling bills enjoy increased comfort and reduce the risk of moisture problems Main duct Common duct system leakage locations ndicators Almost all homes can benefit from duct sealing If you answer YES to any of these ques tions your home may be
55. t difficult to keep your home cool in summer especially during mid day and early afternoon despite having a properly maintained cooling system V Do you have large windows facing west or east that receive direct sunlight in summer Techniques There are some simple actions you can take to reduce the impact the sun has on your cooling costs Install sun screens high skill Sun screens are often the least expensive window shading option that retains a full view through the window Most can be removed in winter so as not to restrict solar heating Typical sun screens absorb more than a third of the sunlight s heat Like regular window screens sunscreens have aluminum frames and are installed on the exterior side of the windows They re available in several colors and are often used to shade porches Do it yourself fabrication is difficult sun screen kits are available which are simpler Having a professional build and install custom sun screens should cost about 2 to 4 per square foot Install exterior awnings medium skill Awnings are expensive but popular in hot sunny climates they intercept solar heat before it gets to the window which reduces the energy needed for cooling When select ing awnings consider PANA e How much shade do you want This is affected by how low the bottom of the awing extends called the drop and how far it sticks out called the projection e How important is itto maintain a view ou
56. t the window e How much will an awning cost Do it yourself kits and store bought manufac tured awnings are less expensive than ore custom made ones Metal awning Fabric awning with sides 19 Also consider plantings for provide very effective shade Taller trees without low branch es on the south side will block the higher summer sun while not blocking views through windows significantly Smaller trees or shrubs on the east and west will block the lower sum mer sun but they also impact views If permanent plantings aren t permitted or are imprac tical vines on a temporary trel lis and tall annuals can provide excellent shading consider clematis morning glory and sunflowers 20 On the south side of the house the drop should be 45 to 60 of the window height Awnings on the east and west sides need to extend lower to block the morning or after noon sun which is low in the sky these should have a drop of 60 to 75 Awnings without sides will work better if they re wider than the windows Apply reflective window film high skill Metalized plastic window films can block half to three quarters of the sunlight s heat and glare and eliminate almost all of the ultraviolet rays from the light coming through the window The reflective film is installed on the inside of the window and makes the window more reflective when viewed from outside Note that these reflective window films block daylight in addition
57. the bag for an even tighter seal Blocking air from flowing out of the registers will cause the heating and cooling system to be less efficient because it restricts airflow and puts more pressure on seit leaks Make sure registers that have moveable louvers eee are kept in the open position or remove the louvers entirely Also make sure registers are not covered by rugs or furniture Make sure all register are fully open FREE Skill ae Floor register with louvers closed 11 Seal and insulate crossover duct and connections high skill Pay particular attention to the crossover duct in multi section homes One indicator of a crossover duct leak is if the side of your home where the furnace is located gets a lot more air from the heating and cooling system Main trunk gt gt duct Flexible crossover gt gt duct The crossover duct connection must be tightly sealed A Duct tape can be used to hold things together while you create a permanent seal but standard duct tape should not be relied upon for a long lasting seal 12 than the other side In this case much of the air going to the second side may be leaking out of the crossover duct into the crawlspace Crossover ducts are often insulated flexduct inner and outer wire rein forced plastic tubes with fiberglass insulation sandwiched between The flexduct connects to a metal collar which in turn connects to the main trunk duct
58. ting manufactured homes Free from the Web site sites Weatherization Assistance Program http www eere energy gov weatheriza tion Information about the Weatherization Assistance Program Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center http www waptac org Links to the manufactured home energy audit tool WX Assistant which provides savings to investment ratios for many energy effi ciency upgrades customized for your home but is fairly complex to use and a refrigerator replacement analysis tool HUD Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor http rehabadvisor pathnet org index asp This Web site recommends energy efficiency measures for many types of rehab projects It estimates costs energy savings and additional benefits Users should keep in mind that it is based on site built construction not manufactured homes EERE Energy Savers http www eere energy gov consumerinfo This U S Department of Energy Web site is a gateway to consumer information on energy efficiency and renewable energy Home Energy Saver http hes lbl gov A do it yourself web based home ener gy auditing tool ENERGY STAR http www energystar gov Research ENercy STAR products and find remodeling contractors affiliated with the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program California Consumer Energy Center Consumer Energy Tips http www con sumerenergycenter org Contains numerous energy savings tips and recom mendations 31
59. tions on this inspection method 3 i Inspecting the duct with a hand held mirror Mastic To seal connections from supply boots to registers follow these steps Step 1 Turn off the furnace fan and remove the register grille there oot is usually a screw at each end Step 2 Clean the duct surfaces See the box Duct sealing materials on page 13 Inside the main duct Step 3 Inspect with a mirror and or feel the joint between the boot oT na paper and duct for gaps and tabs that may not be folded tightly ea nS aroune a register With cuct against the duct Floor Step 4 Fold down any loose tabs and apply reinforcing mesh tape to the corners where the boot meets the duct a Step 5 Apply mastic see the box Duct sealing materials on page 13 Step 6 Replace the register grille Main duct below Boot sealed with mesh tape and Seal ends MaeHe low skill The ends of ducts are often major leakage sites These can be sealed from the inside of the home by filling a durable plastic garbage bag with fiberglass insulation and inserting it Tofurnace into the duct from the last register at each end of the duct run Insert the bag and push it in the direction away from the furnace see dia Last register Boot Floor on duct Leakage eo sites Plastic bag stuffed Duct with insulation gram Apply expanding foam sealant to the Sealing the duct end with a plastic bag area around
60. to room Increased resale value a home with lower operating costs is worth more Environmental stewardship saving energy reduces the burning of fossil fuels that contributes to global warming acid rain smog and other kinds of pollution The HUD Code In 1976 national standards for manufactured homes went into You have significantly higher utility bills than neighbors with similar homes and effect establishing insulation lifestyles and window requirements In 1 these standards were Your home was built before 1976 and hasn t been significantly improved or ae upgraded Your heating cooling or water heating equipment breaks down a lot You feel drafts inside on windy days The air near the floor is significantly cooler than the air near the ceiling You have to wait a long time for hot water and water cools off quickly between uses You have to set the thermostat below 70 to stay cool in the summer You have trouble keeping your home warm in winter There are large fluctuations in your utility bills from month to month USING THIS GUIDE NAVIGATING THE CHOICES The energy efficiency retrofit ideas described in this guide have been selected because they provide excellent energy savings In general more expensive techniques result in greater savings but some inexpensive techniques described here can also lower your energy bills substantially This guide will help you choose the most cost effective ways to reduce energy use that f
61. tric fur nace turn off the emergency power switch first Bottom board Main duct Patch sealed with mastic 0 Cracks in areas with the high est air pressure closest to the furnace fan will leak the most air sealing them will have the biggest impact on energy sav ings A Air needs a path to get back to the furnace Never block the louvers or grilles in doors or walls enclosing the furnace 13 Al IMPROVE LIGHTING EFFICIENCY Description Lighting is responsible for about 12 of energy used in a typical American home Goal Nearly every home can benefit from improved lighting efficiency No hagi matter the type of lighting in your home ceiling fixtures table lamps track lighting etc there are opportunities to lower your monthly energy costs by reducing your electricity use for lighting And E TS the quality of light can often be improved at the same time I ndicators The average home has nine lights left on for more than three hours every day Any light bulb burning more than two hours per day on average is a good candidate to be replaced with a compact fluorescent lamp see below Techniques These simple techniques to lower lighting costs and improve lighting quality can be done with little or no skill and low cost Replace incandescent light s with compact fluorescents low skill Compact fluorescent lamps CFLs use one third to one quarter the ener gy of incandescent bulbs and last
62. trofit Low flow aerators screw into standard faucets to reduce the flow and aerate the water so that it still feels like a full flow These cost just a dollar or two and can pay back the expense in just a few months a Low flow showerhead Replace your water heater PRO If warranted replace the water heater with a new more efficient unit If a water heater was manufactured before 1980 it may be cost effective to replace it with a more efficient model Always check the EnergyGuide label to determine the unit s energy efficiency EnergyGuide labels help you identify ener gy efficient water heaters 18 7 REDUCE SOLAR GAIN Description Sunlight coming in through the windows is a major contributor to cooling costs in hot and sunny climates such as Arizona and Florida Trees and other foliage can be very effective in shading a home but there are other relatively simple options available to reduce solar gain while maintaining views Additional benefits of blocking sunlight from entering windows include less fading of furniture and carpets more comfortable temper atures in rooms with large windows and less glare Goal Following these tips will reduce the cost of cooling your home and make it more comfort able during the hottest parts of the day Indicators If you answer YES to any of these questions you should consider ways to reduce your home s solar gain vV Are you in a hot climate V Do you find i
63. want to remove some of the storm windows so you can open the windows for ventilation on days when air conditioning isn t needed even if you re primarily relying on air conditioning During the heating season 1 Open the drapes or shades on the sunny side of the house during the daytime to gather as much solar heat as possible then close those drapes or shades at night to reduce heat loss Set back the thermostat at night and when the home is unoccupied J Every degree the heat is lowered saves you up to 5 on heating costs a Heat pumps should only be set back 5 to prevent excessive use of the built in backup electric heating A programmable thermostat can serit automate this process and offers options for multiple settings to fit your family s lifestyle Programmable thermostat To prevent heated air from going up the chimney keep the fireplace damper closed except when you re using the fireplace If the fireplace doesn t have a damper the fireplace opening can be sealed with a snug fitting cover All year long 2 When the air conditioning or heat is on keep windows and doors closed Wash only full loads of laundry in the coolest water practical and rinse in cold water Clean the clothes dryer lint filter after every load to maximize drying efficiency and dry only full loads of clothes but don t overload Run the dishwasher only with full loads and select an air dry dishwasher cycle so that electric heati
64. with a track record of satisfied customers and plenty of experience with your type of project Questions to ask a prospective contractor Ask for a written estimate of the work based on a set of plans and or written specifications If you are comparing estimates be sure they are based on the same specifications and scope of work Beware of an exceptionally low price Find out whether the contractor uses a detailed written contract that protects both of you and that complies with all laws The contract should spell out the work that will and will not be performed and provide a fair payment schedule Ask the contractor if they offer a warranty and if so what kind and for how long Professional contractors should carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or jobsite injuries Ask for a copy of the contractor s insurance certificate Double check your prospective contractor s qualifications Check with your local or state office of consumer protection and the local Better Business Bureau Ask if they have had any complaints about the contractor and if so whether they were resolved satisfactorily Check with your state s licensing agency and the state and local building inspectors to see if they have received any complaints about the contractor and to verify that they have the appropriate licenses and registrations IMPROVE HEATING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE Description J Most manufactured home heating systems

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