When you get your mobile home ready for winter, you not just reduce your heating cost but also ensure that you have comfortable indoor air quality and temperature. Winterizing your house also prevents costly damage such as freezing and bursting pipes, holes in your roof, and cracks in the concrete.
Contrary to popular belief, in most cases, you won’t need a pro to winterize your Bakersfield mobile homes unless you need to replace your insulation in the attic, roof, or wall. Read our simple hacks to get your mobile home winter-ready.
Inspect your skirting vents
Professionals recommend that mobile home skirting have at least 1 square ft. ventilation for every 150 square ft. of floor space. That being said, your vents should be placed around 3 ft. apart to prevent dead air pockets under your house.
In the summer, you want air to continuously circulate around your home. But in winter, you don’t want a draft from circulating beneath your floor because it reduces the energy efficiency of your house; this means you need to close the vents when the outside temperature gets too cold.
A good rule of thumb is to close the vents but still allow a bit of ventilation in your skirting, which must be secure but not too tight that it completely cuts the air flow. Thus, make sure that you inspect the exterior siding and replace any damaged or missing screws and fasteners.
When the snow arrives, make sure that you shovel the ice away from your skirting to prevent damage.
Seal drafty areas
You may not be aware of it, but your electrical outlets are one of the areas where significant heat loss happens; this is especially true if your mobile home does not have exterior sheathing. Cracked or damaged sockets are particularly problematic because they allow more cold drafts to creep into your house.
To fix your drafty outlets, you have two options, which you can combine for better results: first, install insulation boards or pads behind sockets, and second, seal them with caulk.
Seal your chimneys
While fireplaces and chimneys give warmth, a poor design can lead to significant heat loss. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune just to “seal” these areas. Simply buy glass doors, which not only keep embers off your floor but also prevent cold air from creeping into your house. For additional energy efficiency, you can add a fireproof seal around the edges of your glass door.
Another option is to invest in an electric fireplace, which is known for its energy efficiency and more affordability compared to the central heating installation.
Winterize your doors
There are many ways to seal your exterior door:
- Install a door snake at the bottom of your door. This acts as a draft guard that prevents cold air from entering your home. Or if you don’t want to spend on this, you can simply roll a towel and fit it into the gap between the door and the floor.
- Use a deadbolt. Did you know that simply tightening the seal can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your door?
- Install door gasket. Rubber gaskets can be installed to the frame or door stop molding to create a stronger seal.
- Install a weather-proof pet door. You may want to invest in a pet door that offers a weather-tight seal when not in use.
Winterize your windows
Just like your exterior doors, you can winter-proof your windows with some simple DIY projects:
Install window films. This is an easy DIY task that you can do all by yourself, although it’s nice to have someone who can hold the plastic film while you apply it to the inner side of our window.
Use cellular shades. Also called honeycomb shades, these window coverings are used to block light and insulate windows by trapping air and creating a barrier between the room and the window surface.
Install storm windows. They don’t just protect your windows from inclement weather but also prevent drafts.
Hang thermal drapes. They work best if you hang them very close to the window surface. While they are a bit more expensive than film insulator kits, they are a good investment because you can use them for many years to come.
Insulate your water heater closets
Use insulation jackets or covers to protect your exterior water heater closets from freezing temperatures. Another option is to add foam insulation around the closet walls, door, and ceiling so your heater won’t have to work more than necessary just to keep your shower warm.
Final Word
Now that you know how to winterize a mobile home without breaking the bank, why not check out Smoke Tree Mobile Estates, which is one of the most stunning mobile home parks in Bakersfield, CA?
This beautiful, sunny community offers amenities, including a clubhouse, a spa, a swimming pool, and on-site car wash and laundry facilities. It is also near Sequoia National Forest, McMurtrey Aquatic Center, and Beale Park Amphitheater, making this neighborhood ideal if you’re into water sports and outdoor activities.
We’re here to help you find the best mobile home community in Bakersfield, CA for you and your family. Leave a message on our website, and let’s get started.
