Mobile Home Furnaces
Furnaces used in mobile homes are different from conventional furnaces designed for traditionally constructed houses. When purchasing a mobile home furnace you need to find one whose cooling and heating systems suit the size and type of your manufactured home.
Mobile home furnaces can either run on gas, oil, or propane.
Unlike standard residential furnaces, mobile home furnaces need to be vented, ducted and installed differently. For one, the ducting system in a site-built home is larger than in a mobile home. Mobile homes use a venting system known as sealed combustion.
When used in mobile homes, standard furnaces pose a serious danger as mobile homes have tighter corners and smaller air ducts that restrict the flow of forced air.
Why You Cannot Install A Regular Furnace on a Mobile Home
Unlike conventional homes, mobile homes have some unique features which make it necessary to install a furnace that is designed for their use. Due to the high amount of input produced by a furnace designed for site-built homes, it would be dangerous to use them in mobile homes.
Cost of a Furnace
On average, a mobile home furnace goes for $1,000. However, you should expect to spend more on the installation of the furnace approximately $ 1,800. Some factors that might affect the cost of installation includes the age of your manufactured home. If your mobile home is new and is having its very first mobile home furnace installed, you might need to fork out more since the contractor will have to establish initial fittings.
Types of Furnaces
There are some similarities between furnaces designed for site-built homes and mobile home furnaces. For instance, the type of furnace you decide to have in your mobile home will be determined by the fuel source.
For a majority of homes, natural gas furnaces are the most preferred. Most natural gas furnaces have an efficiency of about 80% and you can expect their price to start from $850. There are furnaces that have an efficiency rate of 95%, however, you should expect to pay more as most of them have a price point starting from $1,300.
Similarly, oil furnaces have an efficiency rate of 80% and start from around $1,500. When fuel is injected into the combustion chamber as a spray, the fuel combusts and in the process creates heat that is distributed throughout the home.
Unlike oil and natural gas furnaces, electric furnaces are very efficient. In fact, they operate close to 100% efficiency. However, that efficiency comes at a cost and are more expensive to run than an oil furnace. Thankfully, they are much cheaper to purchase; prices start from $600.
Accessories
To maximize the output of your mobile home furnace you might want to consider utilizing some accessories such as:
- LP Conversion Kit – This conversion kit is responsible for switching your mobile home furnace from natural gas to propane. Some manufacturers include the LP conversion kit with every purchase of a mobile home furnace, so check to see if the unit your buying comes with one.
- Concentric Vent Kit – This component can only be used with furnaces that have an efficiency rate of 92% and above. Furnaces that have an efficiency of 80%, have to use a metal vent going out the roof of the mobile home.
- Blower – The blower is responsible for transporting warm air produced by the furnace throughout the home. The blower is the most hardworking component of a furnace and requires regular maintenance. In the event that your blower breaks down, you will have to replace it immediately. Depending on the type of furnace you have running in your home, replacement costs range between $250 and $400.
- High Altitude Pressure Switch – You might need to purchase a high altitude pressure switch to ensure the safe operation of your furnace. This will largely depend on where you live.
- Duct Connectors – If you would like to minimize vibrations and noises, then you will definitely need duct connectors, which are used to join pieces of ducting.
- Roof Jack – Roof jacks are responsible for venting emissions from the furnace. Because they come in different sizes, you would need to consult an HVAC contractor first. To fill the gap between the roof and the roof jack, a hydroment sealing is used.
How To Buy A Furnace
If you are in the market for a furnace, the most important thing to consider is the type of fuel used, that is, is the mobile home furnace powered by oil, natural gas, or electricity. Other factors to consider include cost, efficiency, and size.
Prior to choosing a heating system, it is important to have your furnace sized.