Air Conditioners and Modular Homes
While summer isn’t quite around the corner, it is never too early to prepare yourself for the onslaught of summer heat in your Palm Harbor modular home. If you’re among the lucky who live in areas where the only cooling system needed is an open window, bully for you. Unfortunately, many of us live in areas where it feels like we’re truly stepping out of the frying pan and into the fire by 9 a.m. on a scorching July morning. Knowing the best way to keep your house cool efficiently will go a long way toward making your life in your new home a lot more comfortable.
Whether you plan to use window units or giant outdoor systems, there are things you should know before spending money on a new cooling system for your modular home. The size of the system you need depends on the BTU output needed. A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. A small room that is less than 150 square feet needs a system that puts out 5,000 BTUs. A home with 1,000 to 1,400 square feet needs 24,000 BTUs. If you expect two or more people in the room on average, add another 600 BTUs.
When shopping for a new A/C unit, be sure to look at all the new advances that have been made in energy efficiency. Not only will this help your modular home stay cool for less, but it will also help your home be more eco-friendly. Even if you don’t fully subscribe to the whole new “Green Movement,” there’s nothing wrong with saving a bit of money every month on your electric bill. Look for units with an EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) of 9.7 as well as Energy Star-rated products. Products with Energy Star can be up to 10 percent more energy efficient at keeping your modular home cool.
If you are looking for a new modular home, then be sure to check us out at PalmHarbor.com. If you already have a Palm Harbor Home and are looking for more tips on how to enjoy your home to the fullest, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
