WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Mobile Home Training Weatherization Assistance

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Mobile Home Training Weatherization Assistance Program Standardized Training Curriculum August 2010 1 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

MOBILE HOME TRAINING Introduction to Mobile Homes WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 2 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Learning Objectives INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES By attending this session, participants will become aware of: • The history and development of mobile homes • Construction details and materials related to mobile homes • Problems related to energy efficiency of mobile homes • Differences between pre- and post-1976 mobile homes • Standard weatherization priorities for mobile homes • Opportunities for improving comfort, safety, and energy efficiency • Benefits of various retrofit options 3 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

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Opportunities INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES • Mobile homes comprise at least 25% of the households that qualify for Weatherization nationwide Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy • Advances in Weatherization materials and retrofit techniques open up huge opportunities for energy savings 5 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Some Mobile Home Characteristics INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES • Wooden frame bolted to a steel chassis • Constructed in long narrow segments in a factory; delivered and completed on site • Shallow roof cavities • Interior panels provide structural rigidity • Single framing for door and window openings • Sealed combustion heating systems 6 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Mobile Home Belly System INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Photo courtesy of PA WTC 7 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Mobile Home Components #1 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES 1. Main beam 2. Outrigger beam 3. Rodent barrier 4. Floor joists 4 Lengthwise Floor Joist System 1 3 2 Crosswise Floor Joist System 8 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Mobile Home Components #2 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES 11 12 8 8 4 7 9 3 6 10 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 5 2 Main beam Band joist Rough window opening Bowstring trusses Floor joists Heating/AC duct 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Top plate Ceiling joist cavity Wall section Rough door opening Vapor barrier Blown-in insulation 9 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Mobile Home Components #3 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Wall Detail Photo courtesy of PA WTC Furnace Installation Photo courtesy of PA WTC 10 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Problems and Opportunities #1 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Mobile homes built before 1976 consume 1. 5 to 2 times more energy than a site-built home. Why? – Low thermal mass (thin and poorly insulated floors, walls, and ceilings) – Conductive materials (metal windows and door frames) – Large open areas and penetrations in the floor system – High surface-to-floor area ratio – Poor duct design, components, and installation Photos courtesy of PA WTC 11 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Problems and Opportunities #2 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Photo courtesy of PA WTC 12 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Problems and Opportunities #3 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Photo courtesy of PA WTC 13 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Problems and Opportunities #4 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES How many mobile home junk yards have you seen recently? Photo courtesy of PA WTC 14 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Problems and Opportunities #5 INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES “Oh boy, do we have deal for you!” Photo courtesy of PA WTC 15 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Mobile Home Construction Eras INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Construction era should drive retrofit strategies Pre-HUD Code (before 1976) – Little or no insulation (less than R-6) – 2 x 2 or 2 x 3 stud walls – Jalousie windows Photo courtesy of PA WTC HUD Code and upgrades (post-1976) – Set insulation standards per climate zones – 2 x 4 exterior walls and single-hung slider windows – Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans – Vapor barriers in ceiling – R-8 or better insulation levels 16 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Determining the Construction Era INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Identifying post-1976 HUD Code (mobile) homes Data Plate Certification label 17 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Sample Measure Selection Priority List INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES MECHANICAL RETROFITS Repair or replace furnaces per health, safety, and efficiency protocols MOBILE HOME SHELL AND DUCT RETROFITS Air seal per blower-door-guided protocols and targeted air leakage reductions Duct seal per blower-door-guided and duct diagnostic protocols Insulation Component No Insulation Floor System Wall System Roof System Pre HUD Code with minimal existing Insulation Post HUD Code with higher insulation levels Fill cavity where dimensions allow Add R-11 -13 batts Add R-13 batts where dimensions allow Fill cavity where dimensions allow BASELOAD MEASURES Lighting Replace incandescent and halogen lamps with CFL lamps Domestic Hot Water Measures Add R-11 wrap, pipe insulation, and other water heating measures where manufacturer specs allow Refrigerator Replacement Replace as per DOE and state standards WINDOWS AND DOORS Deteriorated window units beyond repair Replace with factory replacement slider or double-hung units and self-storing storm windows Deteriorated doors beyond repair Replace with factory replacement types 18 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Retrofit Options – Duct Systems INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Open ended duct Performance-based duct treatments are challenging but very important. They include: • • Visual and diagnostic assessment Sealing and repair Converting belly return system Photo courtesy of Tony Gill Cleaning Repair Removing obstructions System balancing Replacing damaged registers Post-repair diagnostics Challenging but very important! Photo courtesy of Tony Gill 19 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Retrofit Options – Heating Systems INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Heating system retrofits include: • • • Visual and diagnostic testing • • Adjusting operating temperatures Cleaning dirty burners Cleaning and adjusting blowers Replacing furnace filters Repairing excessive temperature rise problems Replacing unsafe or inefficient furnaces Should only be attempted by qualified heating technicians Photo courtesy of WV GOEO 20 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Retrofit Options – Belly Insulation INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Re-insulating the mobile home belly is almost always cost-effective Benefits: • Increases thermal performance • Air leakage reductions between 25% and 50% are possible • Enhances occupant comfort Very challenging but achievable with the right tools and good training Photo courtesy of PA WTC 21 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Retrofit Options – Sidewall Insulation INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Re-insulating sidewalls is also usually a very cost-effective retrofit Benefits: • Increases thermal performance • Reduces air leakage • Reduces noise Photo courtesy of Tony Gill Technically not difficult or time consuming 22 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Retrofit Options – Roof Insulation INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES Re-insulating roof cavities on mobile homes is typically cost-effective Benefits: • Increases thermal performance • Provides cooling savings • Reduces roof rumble Moderately challenging but achievable with the right tools and good training Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy 23 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Retrofit Options - Other Measures INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES • Window and door replacement • Hot water conservation measures • Health and safety measures • Standard base load measures • Cooling measures for hot climates, including: – Reflective roof coatings – Shade screens and awnings – Window films Photo courtesy of WV GOEO • Incidental repairs 24 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Sequence of Retrofit Options INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES • Perform blower door-guided air sealing • Diagnose, repair, seal, and improve duct systems • Diagnose, repair, or replace furnace • Prepare and insulate the belly cavity • Prepare and insulate walls • Prepare and insulate roof cavity • Inspect and apply domestic water heater improvements and standard base load measures • Inspect and repair, or replace windows and doors 25 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov

Summary INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE HOMES • Mobile homes are throughout the U. S. and are here to stay. • Mobile home construction details differ depending on the era the home was built. • The year the mobile home was built drives the retrofit strategy. • Huge opportunities exist for improving the efficiency of these structures through well-thought-out weatherization measures. • Weatherization technicians should apply cost-effective retrofit options. 26 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere. energy. gov