Summer is creeping up on us fast. For many of us in the US, that means scorching hot days and a soaring electric bill. Have you noticed the increase in electricity you use during the summer? And, despite consuming all that additional electricity, is your A/C still struggling to keep your mobile home cool?
If so, let’s talk about how you can resolve that issue and stop stressing about the money you’re spending on keeping cool each summer. If you’ve ever thought, “Surely there must be a way to fix this!” then you’re on the right track. The good news is, there are actually quite a few ways to fix it.
#1 Insulate efficiently
One downside to mobile homes is their cost-saving construction. Unlike stick-built homes, mobile homes have thin walls, a relatively exposed underside, and cheap windows. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to repair these problems.
First off, simply installing more insulation in the ceiling and walls can help tremendously. If you’re planning a renovation, that could be the perfect time to crack down on sub-par insulation situations. Get an expert to help you determine where to place insulation to help with heat reduction.
Installing high-quality skirting, such as insulated skirting, is a great choice if you don’t have an entire renovation in the works. Insulated skirting will help prevent cooled air from leaking from the bottom of your mobile home, so it’s well worth the effort. You should also consider investing in better, more energy-efficient windows and caulking them tightly so no cool air escapes.
#2 Create shade
There are endless options for creating shade in and around your mobile home, so your choice will depend on your budget. For a small budget, install heat-controlling window film, blinds, or curtains. Be strategic. If a certain window in your home gets a lot of sun throughout the day, clear window film will keep the glaring rays out, and you won’t have to worry about running around closing blinds at certain times of the day. Or, if you prefer blinds or curtains, keep an eye out for when the sun is brightest on different sides of the house. Then, open and close those curtains accordingly.
Other shade-creating ideas that cost a little more could include planting trees and installing awnings or shutters.
#3 Repaint your siding
Have you ever owned a black car that just about cooked you whenever you drove it in the summer? Dark colors absorb sunlight, and that could be happening to your mobile home right now. A simple change of paint color, from dark to light, can cool your house by reflecting light instead of absorbing it.
#4 Cook outdoors
If you don’t have a grill, you need one! If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen on a scorching day baking and cooking for all you’re worth, you know how flushed and hot you can get. But it’s not just you who’s taking a beating from the heat of the oven. Your A/C is also struggling to keep up.
This can be fixed by switching the majority of your cooking to the grill in the summertime. Not only will you be thankful you made the change, but you’ll also be taking a stab at lowering your electric bill.
#5 Open your windows and turn on the fans
Turning on the A/C and opening the windows, especially early in the morning and at night, will greatly reduce the time that you have to depend on artificial cool air. Install windows with safety locks that allow you to keep the windows open a little all night yet still secure from home invaders. Utilize box or standing fans and, if you can, use ceiling fans as much as possible. Be sure your fan is rotating counter-clockwise, as that will ensure the cool air is being pushed downwards and cooling the house.
#6 Upgrade your thermostat
Upgrading your old thermostat to a digital model can actually have a bigger impact than you would think. Digital thermostats have a myriad of different settings that allow you to choose which times of day the A/C comes on. A better thermostat can help you keep your home at a consistent temperature. Some smart thermostats even allow you to control the temperature of your home while traveling. Besides saving money, programmable thermostats are simply easier to use!
#7 Clean your A/C
For our last tip, here’s one that you can do right now without spending any money on gadgets and projects. Go clean out your A/C unit. Whether you have an outdoor HVAC unit or portable room air conditioners, both need regular maintenance in order to run properly.
Keeping your electric bill low
We hope these tips have opened your eyes to the many energy solutions you have at your fingertips. Your mobile home electric bill can benefit when you invest a little time and money in permanent fixes. And your electric bill will also thank you for becoming more aware of the time of day that the sun starts heating up your house.
Whether you choose a simple or complicated solution to the problem, we hope your journey to keeping electricity costs low is successful. And if you opt for changes that include some type of renovation, take a look at these six additional ways to upgrade your mobile home this year. You may find a few other projects you’d like to take on.
About EZ Homes Design Team
