Mobile Home insulation specs: questions

[Bro. Williams]

Okay, I hope terminology is similar, and that I don't say things backwards....

I live in KY, in Zone II in regards to mobile home insulation. I have been told that up in northern IN and OH they build them to a Zone III. Anyways, a mobile home dealer locally has both models to sale, brand new. Some are zone II homes and some zone III's, but of course the zone III's are more, about 8,000 more, and they have the thermal pane windows, where the other zone II's have only regular windows with storm windows.

I don't know if getting the lesser model (zone II and non-thermal) is that big a deal. I don't know how much it would save me a month to get the better insulated, and how long it would take me to balance out the extra cost of spending more initially.

Suggestions, equations, etc.

[Beeman]

Better windows and upgraded insulation are a great improvement on a mobile home. I wouldn't pay 8k for it. Upgrading yourself is a pain in a mobile home. The wall insulation is probably the same, improvement there might be Tyvec wrap or different siding. Roof insulation is most likely the upgrade part and since access is nearly impossible on a mobile it about has to be built in.

I'd bet his business is slow, negotiate!

[WisJim]

They should be able to tell you exactly what the differences are in insulation, window quality, etc. Otherwise it would be hard to tell things like how many inches of what kind of insulation are in the walls ceiling floor, etc.

[arabian knight]

Well the better it is insulated and upgraded the better it is for not only heating but cooling as well. So imo it would be well worth the extra to get Zone III no matter if you are in Zone III or not.

[haypoint]

I can tell you how long it would take to make the extra insulation and better windows pay for themselves. First, tell me how much propane will cost in 2019.

[Ken Scharabok]

Take the specifications from each in to your local electrical company and ask one of their engineers for their opinion.

Say your average monthly electric bill for a II was $200 and for a III $150. $50 a month difference, or $600 per year. At an additional $8,000, that is a payback of about 13 years at current rates. And, if you have to finance, that extra $8,000 will cost more in the long run.

One of my sisters and her husband are in the process on rehab-ing a 2001 model 16' x 80'. They are taking off the paneling to add 2" x 2" studs and then replacing the insulation with 6" and 1/2" drywall. How what they are pulling out can be called insulation is beyond me.

As has been noted in the past, most mobile homes are made from the cheapest material possible.