Seven Ways to Keep Your Manufactured Home Cool This Summer

Summer is almost here, and we all look forward to the barbecues and sunshine that come with it. However, electric bills also peak during the summer months making those longer, hotter days and nights a source of stress for people on a fixed income. An overheated, stuffy home can take the fun out of summer, as can a sky-high bill from the power company.

Luckily, there are ways to keep your manufactured home cool and comfortable during the warmer months without blowing your budget. With these seven tricks, you can beat the heat and enjoy all that summer has to offer.

1. Portable Fans

Portable fans are an easy and inexpensive way to keep cool air circulating in a manufactured home. Features to look for in a portable fan include the ability to change oscillation patterns or speeds, programmable timers, adjustable airflow direction, low noise output and more. Also keep in mind that fans cool people and not rooms, so turn them off when you leave the room to save energy.

2. Install Heavy Curtains

You may love the look of sheer curtains, but consider swapping them out for heavier drapes in the summer. Sheer or light curtains let in bright sunlight that can overheat your home. When you hang heavy curtains or drapes, it’s easy to close them during the day to block out the sun and keep cool.

3. Use Solar Screens

Installing solar screens or other heat reflectors over your windows is another great way to block out the sun’s heat and keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Solar screens block 65-90% of UV rays while blocking only 15-40% of visibility, so you can let the light in without heating up your home. 

4. Try a Dehumidifier

Humidity can make a hot day feel unbearable. Reduce humidity and stay dry with a dehumidifier. It’ll keep the air feeling cool and fresh in your manufactured home. 

5. Awnings

Installing awnings on the outside of your windows can make your home look more attractive and help deflect the sun. It’s two benefits in one!

6. Cook with Care

Avoid using the oven or the stove between noon and 3 p.m. to reduce heat during the hottest parts of the day. This can be a great time to bring out the grill and cook outside!

7. Open the Windows 

It sounds obvious, but many people overlook opening their windows to cool down their home. It’s a simple way to circulate air in your manufactured home and take advantage of the breeze.

You don’t have to dread hot days when you live in a manufactured home. Remember these methods to keep your home cool, and you can stay comfortable all summer long.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.