When summer comes into full swing, the last thing any of us want is for our home to be as hot or hotter than the outside temperature. If you live in a manufactured home, this can become a challenge. Lighter materials absorb and retain heat more quickly, making them hotter than traditional homes. Luckily, staying cool doesn’t have to require expensive solutions or major renovations.
This guide provides the top cooling tips for manufactured homes in the summer, helping you beat the heat and enjoy a comfortable living space all summer long.
Adding insulation to a manufactured home helps keep the cool air inside your home by serving as a barrier to outside air. This results in a more consistent temperature inside your home and helps reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your property.
In a manufactured home, you’ll have to use specific insulation options such as:
When it comes to insulation, the type you choose will depend on several factors, including your budget, climate, and the specific areas of your home that require insulation.
Air leaks around doors, windows, and vents greatly impact your home’s ability to stay cool. These gaps allow warm air to enter and cool air to escape, forcing your cooling systems to work harder, which also means more expensive energy bills. Fortunately, you can seal air leaks with a variety of affordable options, including caulk, weatherstripping, or spray foam. As you seal air leaks around the home, pay attention to areas where pipes or wires enter your home, as these can also be sources of leaks.
Reflective window film helps minimize heat inside your home by reflecting sunlight away from the windows. To use this cooling method, you will need to purchase reflective film for windows, which you can find at most hardware stores. Simply cut the film to fit your windowpanes, spray the glass with water, and apply the film. Use a squeegee or credit card to smooth out any air bubbles.
If you don’t want to put the film on your window, you could opt for blackout curtains or blinds. Their dense material blocks direct sunlight, preventing heat from entering your living spaces. Keeping these curtains or blinds closed during peak daylight hours, especially when the sun is strongest, makes a noticeable difference in temperature.
As you shop, look for options labeled as thermal or blackout. These differ from traditional options. These specially designed curtains and blinds feature multiple layers of fabric, including a layer often made of white or silver to reflect sunlight.
Ceiling fans are a cost-effective way to improve air circulation and reduce reliance on air conditioning. Setting your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise during the summer creates a downdraft, which helps ensure a cooling breeze throughout your home. For manufactured homes with smaller spaces, strategically place fans in main living areas to optimize air movement.
If you can’t or don’t want to install ceiling fans, consider using floor fans instead. You can move these throughout your home to create the right cross breeze or cool the area you’re in. Moreover, you can position box fans in windows to pull in cooler evening air or push out hot indoor air, enhancing ventilation.
Another cooling tip for manufactured homes in the summer is to invest in a dehumidifier. High humidity levels can make your home feel warmer even when the temperature is relatively low since moist air hinders the body’s ability to cool itself through sweat evaporation.
A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air, creating a more comfortable and cooler indoor environment. This is especially beneficial in regions with high humidity, as it can significantly reduce the muggy feeling inside your home.
Portable dehumidifiers are ideal for manufactured homes due to their compact size and effectiveness.
While this may sound counterintuitive, opening your windows can help cool your home if the outdoor temperature is cooler than the indoor temperature, especially during the evening or early morning hours. Create cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your home to allow fresh, cool air to flow through and push out warm, stale air. This method works particularly well in manufactured homes with smaller spaces, as the airflow can quickly refresh the indoor environment.
Opening your windows can be especially helpful on cool nights once the sun goes down and the outdoor temperature drops.
Older air conditioners tend to consume more energy while delivering less effective cooling. Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient appliances ensures better performance with lower energy consumption. Plus, you can program your mobile home HVAC system to maintain a consistent temperature and reduce the load on your AC unit.
An AC with a smart thermostat is an ideal option for those seeking to optimize energy usage. You can control these thermostats remotely using a smartphone, and some models even utilize sensors to adjust the temperature according to your schedule and whether anyone’s actually home.
Keeping your manufactured home cool in summer doesn’t have to rely on just one solution. By combining multiple strategies, you can maximize their effectiveness and create a comfortable indoor environment.
For instance, you could buy blackout curtains to reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, then buy a new air conditioner to cool it. Additionally, you could also use a ceiling fan to help circulate the cool air from the AC unit and keep it evenly distributed throughout your home.
Keeping your manufactured home cool during the summer shouldn’t be a constant battle. By experimenting with options and combining methods, you can create a more efficient cooling system for your home.
Capitol Supply and Services is an HVAC installation and repair company that understands how these appliances work in manufactured homes. Whether you need advice, upgrades, or maintenance, their team has the expertise to ensure your cooling systems run smoothly. Don’t sweat through another hot summer!