Living in a mobile home ... how to beat the heat ?

Question

with the rise in electricity cost, we have put the central air unit on the recommended 78 degrees. placed aluminum foil on the windows, and changed all light bulbs to the energy saver bulbs.

is there any other ways that you beat the heat if you are in a similar situation ?

Answer 1

I doubt if it would be cost pheasable now days but years and years ago in the hot Texas summers we used to put the small circular(cheap) plastic  water sprinklers on top of our metal roofed mobile homes and run them during the heat to cool the roof off and keeping alot of heat from building on the metal roofs  and keeping it cooler..water was a minimal cost them days and not lke today though..Now days on our water bills the sewage treatment part is about three times the cost of the actual water bill. I do not think it would be reasonable to do so today..The sewage cost of using all of that extra water would probably triple the bill and make it cost more than what you would save on electricity...If on metered water, you have to pay for the treatment of all water used and ran through your meter..even if it was watering your lawn and things of the sort and it is not actually have to be tyreated through the sewage system..Kind of a rip off I think...So actually.. I do not think this would save any money at all in these days and probably end up costing more..

Answer 2

I recently heard that a main place where people loose air conditioning is in the air space around the air conditioner. Use caulking around air exchange vents that go to the outside and also as much as you can around windows.

Put a roof on that has an air space. It will pay for itself over 5 years and it makes it look more like a home or house. You can also see if you can find a overhang material that could attach to the new roof that you can create shade with especially on the east or south side and make this a patio or deck area.

  Plant trees or bushes around the perimiter of the home.  Evergreens like Hemlock or Rhododendron will create an insulating barrier. Plant tall trees that create a lot of shade nearby that also grow fast. Like a maple variety. Here is a link to some plantings

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendro...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=can...

http://www.eburgess.com/prodnav.asp?cat_...

Besides the trees use wood chips around the perimeter of the home or mulch. This becomes a cooling buffer zone that holds moisture which while evaporates has a cooling effect. Many home owners have learn to use this to help cool down their foundation in the summer. Turn these areas into flower beds.

Plantings on the south and east side will help to get rid of direct sun through out most of the day

If your lease agreement doesnt allow for planting you should be able to use giant pots. I picked up some real nice big planting pots in Kmart's Garden Center. I am growing tomatoes on my patio in them. You could grow dwarf bush varieties in these of something like boxwoods or Arborvatae.

Or fountain grass which grows fast and is hardy. Links to those here:

http://www.eburgess.com/detail.asp?pid=3...

http://www.aboutarborvitae.com/

http://www.eburgess.com/detail.asp?nav=&...

Good luck!

Answer 3

Be sure to use fans--ceiling fans, box fans, or oscillating fans--to circulate your cooled air.  Moving air feels cooler than stagnant air, and it will help your air conditioner work more effectively.