Key Points
- Any central AC systems must be mobile home rated for safe, approved installation in manufactured housing.
- Ductless mobile home AC options include wall and window units, portable air conditioners, and mini split heat pumps.
- Factors that influence which AC condenser is best for your mobile home are the climate zone, the unit’s efficiency, the installation location, and number of occupants.
The United States is a vast country with harsh winters in the north and warm climates in the south. New York regularly sits under a couple of feet of snow when January rolls around, while coastal California stays temperate thanks to the Pacific Ocean. According to the US census, there are 8.5 million mobile homes, so keeping cool is big business, and where you live determines the size and capacity of the mobile home air conditioner you need. As we’re looking at mobile home air conditioner units, we decided to give you the lowdown on the pros and cons of each type of unit, to help you decide which one is right for your home.
Types of Mobile Home Air Conditioners
Consider where you live, which way your mobile home faces, which room the air conditioning is in, and how well insulated your home is. All of these factors determine which type of mobile home air conditioner is right for you. There are three styles of non-ducted mobile home air conditioner units:
1. Through the Wall / Window Air Conditioners
Through the wall and window units are designed to cool one room or open space, making them a popular choice for mobile homeowners. They come in varying capacities, ranging from 5,000 - 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) to larger units that typically generate 18,000 BTUs. The BTU is essential because it measures how many heat units the air conditioner removes every hour. The higher the BTU count, the more effective the mobile home air conditioner. You can pick up a through the wall or window air conditioner for between $600 - $1,200.
Pros of a Through the Wall or Window Air Conditioner
- Can be placed in a window or through a wall, which takes up zero floor space.
- Is semi-portable, in that window units can be fitted to other windows in the home.
Cons of a Through the Wall or Window Air Conditioner
- Not aesthetically pleasing and blocks the view from the window.
- Only cools one part of your home.
2. Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners are probably the cheapest option, and ideal if you have a smaller room that needs cooling, like a bedroom. Because they are standalone units, they are perfect for a mobile home air conditioner, since they require no installation. They aren’t as efficient as window units, although they still generate 9,000 - 12,000 BTUs. The beauty of a portable unit is that it can be moved around the house. You can purchase a portable air conditioner for between $300 - $600.
Pros of a Portable Air Conditioner
- Can be moved from room to room.
- Is the cheapest option.
Cons of a Portable Air Conditioner
- Take up valuable floor space.
- Isn’t attractive to look at.
- While they are portable, some units can weigh upwards of 25 lbs.
3. Ductless Mini Splits
The best combination for comfort and value may be found in a ductless mini-split heat pump or air conditioner system. Ductless systems are well-suited as mobile home air conditioner units because space doesn't have to be allocated for ductwork. For many, the compact footprint and shallow silhouette make a ductless mini-split the preferred choice. These air conditioners allow you to mount several encased blowers, typically a wall or floor-mounted air handler, in multiple rooms, all powered by one system. There are limits to the number of air handlers you can fit. Typically, a single condenser can handle four air handlers at maximum, but advances like the MrCool DIY Multi Zone Mini Split can accommodate up to six zones. Installers may increase the number of air handlers with accessories like a Y-branch or a branch box. This type of air conditioner is the most expensive to install, costing more than $1,000. This cost will rise if you opt for multiple air handlers.
Pros of Ductless Mini Splits
- Quietest of all the air conditioner options.
- Easy to install in mobile homes.
- Multi-zone systems allow for total-home comfort.
Cons of Ductless Mini Splits
- Most expensive of the options, especially when you factor in multiple air handlers.
- May require a professional to install the unit, which brings extra costs.
Other Mobile Home Air Conditioner Factors to Consider
Where You Live
In 2015, the Department of Energy (DOE) divided the United States into zones based on climate, elevation, and proximity to the sea. It means that if you live in the northern states, like North Dakota, you will need a mobile home air conditioner with less capacity than if you lived in Florida. Also, the Department of Energy recently raised the national SEER standard to 14 from 13 for most states. Only homeowners in the northern zone can still purchase and install a 13 SEER air conditioner or heat pump. So, from California to Carolina, 14 SEER is the standard whether you're installing a ductless mini split or a mobile home package air conditioner, or anything else. Efficiency increases will decrease the number of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere and help reduce energy consumption. Over the long-term, this is intended to improve national efficiency and control energy costs.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating is a measure of the cooling output during a typical season versus the watt-hours consumed. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner.
How Loud Are Air Conditioners?
Most window air conditioners run at about 75 - 80 dB. That’s less than a standard vacuum cleaner. Portable air conditioners are noisy, too. Comparably, a mini split ductless system barely makes a sound. Choosing the quietest option means that you can have your unit running at night to cool a bedroom, and it won’t disturb the neighbors.
Look For the Energy Star Rating
Energy Star ratings are adopted in the US and across Europe and Australia as the standard rating of all energy-consuming products. If the air conditioner you want does not have Energy Star recognition, then maybe you should think again before you buy. Efficiency is vital, especially if you live in a manufactured or mobile home. Unlike brick houses that retain heat better, mobile homes—older models in particular—are prone to inefficient insulation.
Location of Your Mobile Home Air Conditioner
Where you install your mobile home air conditioner is vital to its performance and energy consumption. Size the unit correctly. Measure the length by the width, and don’t just buy an air conditioner based on the BTUs. There are several factors at play here.
- South-Facing Mobile Home - If you are cooling a home that directly faces the sun, you need to increase the capacity of your air conditioner by around 10%.
- North-Facing Mobile Home - If you are placing the air conditioner in a home that is shaded, then it would be wise to reduce the capacity by 10%.
- Kitchen - If the unit is for use in the kitchen, add 4,000 BTUs to the capacity. The kitchen, with cookers and lots of heat-emitting electrical appliances, is often the hottest room in the house, and the air conditioner will have to work harder.
- Number of Occupants - People generate heat, so if more than two people occupy the space you want to cool regularly, add 600 BTU per person.
Get a New Mobile Home Air Conditioner From IWAE
With a significant number of people living in mobile or manufactured homes in the US, cooling these spaces has never been so important. In some ways, fitting a mobile home air conditioner is easier and more budget-friendly than installing one in a standard house. The wall material is easier to work with, they tend to be smaller, so the cooling efficiency increases, and mobile home air conditioner systems are a lot cheaper than those intended for on-site homes. Whichever variety of mobile home air conditioner you choose, make sure you get professional advice. The experts at IWAE can steer you towards the right option, saving you money and increasing the efficiency of your mobile home air conditioner. Give us a call at 270-575-9595 today to parse out which mobile home air conditioner will be best for you.
