Manufactered homes are built differently from houses built on-site.
Although most of the components and parts of a cooling system for a manufactured home are the same as any other home, there are some important differences. Asking about the proper installation and maintenance of a manufactured home's air conditioning system will prevent you from purchasing a home with a system that will break down quickly and require expensive repairs. Does this Spark an idea?
Who Installs What?
The experts at Mobile Home Doctor say that as many as four or five different contractors may work to install the air conditioning system in your manufactured home. The furnace and basic wiring are installed at the factory, but an independent air conditioning contractor connects the lines and wires the system. An electrician may assist him with the wiring as well, and the setup crew who connect the parts of the manufactured home connect the ducts. Problems can occur at any point in this installation process, and knowing whom to call about what problem will make the repair process much easier.
Where Are the Ducts?
The location of the air ducts in your manufactured home can drastically change the efficiency of cooling your home. Ducts are most commonly installed underneath the home down the center of the floor plan, according to InspectAPedia. Homes with ductwork installed around the edges of the home are much more efficient at cooling the house quickly, since the cool air is automatically moved around to the vents in different rooms. For hot climates, the best location for the duct work is in the ceiling, so cool air can flow down into warm rooms. However, this can change the wind rating, because it puts more weight at the top of the home.
What Is the Condition of the Crossover Ducts?
The crossover ducts are large ducts installed below a double-wide or larger manufactured home, according to the Mobile Home Doctor website. Theses ducts are designed to move warm and cool air around to the two sections of the house. If one side of your home is cool, but the other doesn't seem to get the same amount of cooling from your air conditioner, the crossover duct is likely leaking or detached at some point. Ask about the condition of the crossover ducts if you are purchasing a used manufactured home. Check the ducts when a new manufactured home is first installed to be sure the contractors properly sealed and attached them.
Tags: manufactured home, your manufactured home, conditioning system, crossover ducts, Home Doctor, Mobile Home