September 27, 2022 – Home Owners, Outdoor Living Tips, Safety
Propane is a great way to heat your mobile home efficiently and reliably. It can be especially challenging for mobile homeowners when a good fuel source isn’t being used, heating elements are not working, or insulation is inadequate.
Mobile home furnaces deliver heat by burning natural or propane gas, oil, or electric heating — and propane is a favorite for a reason. An extremely dependable, versatile, and convenient fuel source, propane for mobile homes can keep you warm and comfortable.
Propane systems can last twice as long as electric heating systems while dispersing heat more evenly and at a fraction of the cost. Homeowners may also be able to reap additional rebates and other financial incentives when installing a propane heating system.
Mobile home furnaces are smaller than those used in traditional homes and are stored in an allocated area, usually one of the home’s closets. Consumers can find propane furnaces starting at approximately $650.
Propane also works with traditional forced air heating systems and more eco-friendly hydronic systems like baseboard and radiant floor heat radiators.
Here are some ways to keep your mobile home or RV nice and comfortable:
Insulation
This is key to any home’s energy efficiency, whether mobile or standard. The most evident signs that your mobile home is not well insulated are high fuel bills, persistent fluctuations of the home’s inside temperature, uninvited pests, or that the home’s floors, ceilings, or walls feel cold to the touch.
Defend your home against drafts!
When it comes to insulation, do not overlook your doors and windows. Over time, their ability to seal tightly may decrease. Regularly check your windows and doors for cracked seals and gaps that could let uninvited outdoor elements into your home. Those cold drafts mean your heater must work twice as hard to keep your home warm.
An easy way to check for drafts and cold air currents is to use a very light object, like a feather or candle, to check for air movement. You can also use your sense of touch and hearing — run the back of your hand around your window and door frames to feel for cold breezes. You might also be able to hear subtle whistling or swooshing sounds of air coming through the cracks.
If you cannot seal things up by simply tightening the door or window, consider caulking, foam tape, or another weather-stripping mechanism to keep your home draft free. For a quick and temporary fix, roll a towel along the bottom of any doors and windows where drafts enter from the bottom.
Skirting
Skirting is a solution using a strip of material, often wood, to cover the lowest part of an interior wall. Its purpose is to cover the joint between the wall surface and the floor and the uneven edge where the flooring meets the wall.
Skirting protects walls from kicks, abrasion, and furniture. It serves as decorative molding and covers the open space underneath the mobile home from cold air entry.
A mobile home without skirting is at risk of hot water depletion since the pipes are under the home where the air is colder and damper and, therefore, more susceptible to freezing. Insulated skirting may be an essential home improvement, offering peace of mind and not having to worry about freezing pipes. Skirting installation generally provides more energy efficiency and protection against harsh temperatures.
Furnace Maintenance
Regular furnace cleaning is integral to ensuring your system is functioning correctly and helping to reduce your energy bills, which is essential for older furnaces. All warm air systems have filters to screen out dust and other impurities.
The good news is that propane furnaces require very little maintenance.
A clean-burning alternative to oil, there is no required boiler maintenance or dirty soot to clean up with propane. To get the most out of your propane furnace, if you have a standard throwaway filter, replace it once a month throughout the year. Make sure your furnace is off before changing the filter.
Once changed, make sure the furnace door/panel is closed correctly. Higher efficiency air filters require less maintenance and can be replaced and cleaned. Make sure to vacuum up any debris, quickly done using your vacuum’s brush attachments.
As for general convenience, flexibility, and versatility, with propane, there is no need for several fuel sources. Propane can power your other high-efficiency appliances like ranges, clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, and more – making propane your one-fuel stop.
Contact us to learn more about propane’s benefits for your mobile or manufactured home.
What kind of a propane heater can be used in a Mobile Home? Does the heater have to be direct or Ceiling Vent?
Hi Wanda! Depending on local jurisdiction most mobile homes would require a vented heater. Ventless heaters also cannot be the primary heat source in the home. There are several other regulations that relate specifically to equipment for mobile homes. Our recommendation would be to reach out to a vendor that specializes in equipment for mobile homes to set up a visit.
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