MOBILE HOME Electric/Gas FURNACE [Review]

Purchasing a mobile home furnace requires a very careful consideration and research. Furnaces designed for mobile homes function quite differently than those designed for traditionally constructed houses. Mobile homes furnaces require unique ductwork, vents, and are installed differently than standard residential furnaces in order to keep the residence and its occupants safe and fine. But choosing a high-efficiency mobile home furnace can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for in your desired appliance. In this article, we’ll try to review the different types of furnaces, their costs and some of the top brands available on the market. You’ll also learn how to save money on your mobile home furnace and installation costs if you want low budget things.

Brands of Furnaces Built for Mobile Homes

Many of the same manufacturers that make furnaces for normal homes also sell models for mobile homes. Some brands that are available on the market include:

• Axeman Anderson
• Bryant
• Coleman
• Evcon
• Goodman
• Intertherm
• Miller
• Nordyne

Furnace Costs

Purchasing a new furnace for your mobile home will cost, on average around $1,075 according to ImproveNet. You may however, expect to spend anywhere from $800 to $1,100 on mobile home furnace installation, with the average cost in 2019 averaging out around $950.

The installation fee usually covers the cost of the HVAC contractor’s labor, job setup, required fabrication of material, finishing, and installation of the unit.  In certain circumstances, the complexity of the installation can increase its cost. If your mobile home is brand new and having its first furnace installed, more time will be required of the contractor to establish the initial fittings, thus increasing labor costs and making it expensive.

Despite the high cost of installation, it’s important to work with an HVAC professional throughout the furnace installation process for accuracy. A trained technician will make sure that the furnace is installed correctly, the materials are functioning as they should be and that the heating system is working properly because no one wants to spend so much on an appliance for it to not work. Before hiring an HVAC professional, make sure that you speak with references for the contractors that you are thinking about hiring for further assistance. Shop around for quotes from different contractors, and ask for a free estimated cost. Read this helpful guide on choosing a heating or cooling contractor before making a final decision about your product.

The total cost of installing a new furnace includes the labor cost or technician and the equipment cost.

Equipment costs:

Oil furnaces operate at about 80% efficiency, and costs an average of $1,500.

Natural gas / propane furnaces start at an average of $800 for an 80% efficient furnace, and range up to around $1,300 for a 95% efficient working furnace.

Electric furnaces for manufactured homes start at an average of $600

Types of Furnaces

Natural gas furnaces

Natural gas furnaces work by converting provided gas into heat and are the most popular choice for the majority of mobile home owners because of its feasibility. This type of furnace has a pilot light that ignites burners inside a combustion chamber and drives heat to the heat exchanger. From there, blowers propell the heat through the ducts and into the room. Natural gas furnaces tend to be very reliable and are less noisy than other types of furnaces.

Oil furnaces

Oil furnaces rely on the fuel being sprayed into a combustion chamber at high pressure and ignited manually. This oil mist burns, creating heat to be distributed all around the space. The heat is then sent through ducts and released into the mobile home, most commonly through floor vents. Oil heaters come with a few tradeoffs. They tend to be cost-effective, but homeowners have to buy oil regularly to keep it running which is hectic. Oil furnaces are also long-lasting and durable, but are generally more costly to fix when parts need to be replaced. 

Electric furnaces

Electric furnaces are highly efficient, operating at close to 100 percent efficiency, but can be more expensive to run than a gas equivalent because of electricity bills. An electric furnace works by drawing in cold air and pushing out the air through a heat exchanger to the home. The electric components heat the air and the blower propels it into the air through the ducts. Keep in mind that homeowners in colder climates will likely see their electricity bill rise quickly in the winter months if they have an electric furnace and it will cost them much.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps transport warm air from one place to another depending on where it’s needed (even in cooler air, heat energy is present and can be used for warmth). Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than other systems but can be more expensive to buy just like electric furnaces – mostly due to the fact that they include an air conditioner as well. So total heating and cooling costs may be lower with a heat pump and that too is feasible. You should also consider that these units work best in moderate climates and additional heat sources may be needed in extremely cooler regions.

Mobile Home Furnace Accessories

The HVAC contractor may recommend additional accessories to maximize the output of your furnace, such as:

Concentric Vent Kit – Allows air input and the exhaust vent to pass through one single roof.

LP Conversion Kit – Switches your furnace from natural gas to propane giving it more life and durability. 

High Altitude Pressure Switch – Depending on where you live, and the temperature fluctuations you face, you might need this switch on your furnace so it operates safely.

Blower – Transports warm air from the furnace throughout the home. The blower is the part of your furnace that works the hardest and regular maintenance is a must needed thing. Should your blower break down, you will need to replace this promptly with prices ranging around $245-610 depending on your furnace.

Roof Jack – Vents emissions from the furnace. Varying in size, you should discuss this with your requirements with your HVAC contractor. A hydroment sealing can be used to fill the gap between the roof jack and your roof.

Duct Connectors – Join two pieces of ducting together and are designed to isolate or minimize noise.

Buying a Furnace

The most important criterion when buying a mobile home furnace is the type of fuel source used for the functioning (natural gas, oil, or electric). From there, you will need to decide what furnace is right for you based on the size, efficiency, and its cost. Manufactured home furnaces range in efficiency around 80% – 95% AFUE. It’s important to have your furnace sized before choosing a heating system for you home. To determine exactly what BTU your mobile home needs in a furnace, you’ll want to work with an HVAC contractor who can advise you on size, efficiency, and your estimated costs. Be sure to also discuss furnace compatibility with your existing ductwork and ventilation system.