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, 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 what size and capacity mobile home air conditioner you will 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
This question can be answered in several ways. Where you live, which way your mobile home faces, which room is the air conditioning for, and how well insulated is your home? 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
These 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 is a measure of 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- Can be placed in a window or through a wall and take up zero floor space.
- Are semi-portable, in that window units can be fitted to other windows in the home.
- Not aesthetically pleasing and block the view from the window.
- They only cool one part of your home.
2. Portable Air Conditioners
This is probably the cheapest option, and ideal if you have a smaller room, like a bedroom that needs cooling. Because they are standalone units, they are perfect for as 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- They can be moved from room to room.
- They are the cheapest option.
- They take up valuable floor space.
- They aren’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, since space doesn't have to be allocated for ductwork. For many, the compact footprint and shallow silhouette make a ductless mini-split a 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. However, installers may increase the amount 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- This is the quietest of all the air conditioner options.
- Easy to install in mobile homes.
- Multi-zone systems allow for total-home comfort.
- The 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 are going to 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 mobile home air conditioner, package unit, or anything else. What the government calculates is that the efficiency increases will decrease the number of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere and help to reduce energy consumption. Long term, improving national efficiency helps control energy costs.Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating is a measure of the cooling output during a typical session versus the watt-hours consumed. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner.Learn More: EER to SEER Conversion
