MANUFACTURED HOMES
Manufactured homes have special considerations. Often times you will be sold a home that is "heat pump ready." This is a term that sometimes mean different things to different manufacturers. Here are some questions you may need to ask:
- Is natural gas available at your site location?
- Does it have a heat pump thermostat or a standard heating/cooling thermostat?
- Is the return air sized correctly?
- Is the blower large enough (have enough horsepower) to support a heat pump or air conditioner?
If you own a manufactured home and you call a heating and air conditioning contractor for a quote, there are some considerations you need to be aware of:
- Beware the contractor that gives you a quote over the phone. There are just too many variables to consider. An on-site inspection of the home is necessary if you want the job done right.
- Does the home have a lot of glass or skylights? Occasionally a manufactured home will have a lot of glass and that glass may be oriented towards the south. If this occurs, the home may actually need additional ducting.
- If you will be installing a heat pump (much more economical to run than an electric furnace), you may need to replace the thermostat that came with the home. They are wired completely differently.
- Often the return air grill (and ducting) is not sized correctly for the amount of air necessary to adequately "feed" a heat pump or air conditioner. It is vital that this be sized correctly for maximum efficiency. A too small return can literally "starve" your system, making it run poorly and contributing to frequent breakdowns and early failure. Having a too small return is sort of like trying to breathe through a straw while you are jogging.
- All too often, the blower on the existing furnace is not powerful enough to move the amount of air necessary to adequately cool the home. When this is the case, the blower must be replaced. The only way to know is to inspect it.
Natural gas is always the most economical and efficient way to go if you have the choice. Natural gas furnaces must be approved for use in manufactured homes. In other words, you can't just put any natural gas furnace into a manufactured home, your choices are much more limited. But, you do have some choices. Beware the HVAC contractor that will not even explain your options.
Today's manufactured homes are better than they have ever been and more energy efficient than ever. Yet, they can't possibly include everything. If you need any heating or air conditioning work done or added to your manufactured home, call a professional like Rogue Valley Heating and Air (the Home Comfort people that really care!).