Mobile Home Remodel Log Cabin: How to Improve Energy Efficiency

As a mobile home owner, you're likely looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of your log cabin-style manufactured home. With rising energy costs and growing concerns about climate change, it's more important than ever to make your home as energy-efficient as possible.

One way to do this is by installing renewable energy systems. These systems are best suited for manufactured homes that are not frequently moved, such as those built on a permanent foundation. Lightweight roof-mounted air collectors can be used for water heating, while liquid-type solar collectors can be installed on the ground. Additionally, passive solar design techniques like adding a sunspace, orienting your home to maximize solar exposure, and using shading devices can help reduce energy consumption.

Another option is to install a geothermal heat pump (GHP), also known as a ground source heat pump. This system uses the natural temperature of the earth to provide space heating and cooling, making it an efficient and cost-effective way to heat and cool your home.

In addition to these systems, there are several other ways you can improve energy efficiency in your log cabin-style manufactured home. One simple step is to use energy-efficient lighting and appliances. You should also consider air sealing any openings around plumbing fixtures and ducts, as well as caulking and weatherstripping windows and doors to prevent heat loss.

If you're looking for more extensive energy improvements, there are several options available. For example, you could add insulation to your roof or install a roof cap. This can be done by drilling and tube blowing from the inside, top, or by rolling back the roof and blowing into the cavity. Alternatively, some installers prefer to use roof caps for insulating.

Filling existing cavities with insulation is difficult due to the narrowness of the wall and roof cavities. However, conducting experiments on pre-1976 manufactured homes has shown that these retrofit measures can result in a 31% reduction in heating fuel usage.

Additional energy efficiency improvements you can make include making general repairs such as caulking, ducts, etc., installing energy-efficient windows and doors, and adding insulation to your walls. With these tips, you can improve the energy efficiency of your log cabin-style manufactured home and start saving money on your energy bills.

Mobile home remodel log cabin