Overview
According to data from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), manufactured homes (also commonly called “mobile homes”) are an essential form of affordable housing. However, they often use large amounts of energy due to poor insulation and outdated heating equipment, resulting in high energy costs for residents.
Ray Tetu, a landlord and property owner in Hudson, New Hampshire, faced these exact challenges with his 1969 mobile home. The home was equipped with an inefficient furnace and lacked adequate insulation, driving up energy bills. Realizing the need for improvements, Ray sought out solutions that would both address the current issues and offer long-term energy efficiency benefits for his other rental
properties.
After learning about the NHSaves® Home Energy Assistance (HEA) program, he decided to fill out an application to get started on his energy efficiency journey with Eversource. The HEA program covers 100 percent of the costs of weatherization and replacement of inefficient equipment for income-eligible homeowners and renters, making it the ideal solution for Ray’s property on Mobile Drive.
Goal
Ray’s primary goal for the Mobile Drive property was to address its failing and inefficient furnace. As a landlord and owner of multiple rental properties, he also sought to evaluate how energy efficiency programs could benefit his other properties, reduce operational costs and improve tenant satisfaction.
Result
Ray’s application for the HEA program was approved and he was connected with Resilient Building Group, an Eversource-approved Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified contractor.
Resilient Building Group began by conducting a comprehensive home energy audit and developed a customized plan that included:
- Installing a new, energy-efficient furnace
- Air sealing cracks and gaps to prevent energy loss and reduce drafts
- Reinsulating the mobile home’s underbelly to prevent heat loss
- ENERGY STAR® certified appliance upgrades
Resilient Building Group installed 600 square feet of blown fiberglass insulation in the mobile home’s underbelly, the space between the floor and frame of the home. Properly insulating this area is as important as the walls and attic area, as it creates a barrier against moisture and air infiltration. It also helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Blown fiberglass insulation was selected because it is lighter and less likely to absorb moisture.
A new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator and a smart thermostat were also installed. Over its 12-year lifespan, the refrigerator is expected to save more than $220 in energy bills and the smart thermostat will allow the tenant to adjust the home’s temperature remotely, optimizing energy use and savings with recommended settings and schedules.
Approximate energy savings:
- Annual gallons of oil reduced: 328
- Incentive received: $17,500
Ray received an incentive of $17,500 from Eversource and, following these upgrades, is expected to save about 328 gallons of fuel oil annually. The improvements not only increase the comfort and livability of the home for Ray’s tenant but also reduce maintenance costs and support long-term property management goals.
“My tenant is very happy with the upgrades. I really kick myself for not taking advantage of the NHSaves programs sooner. Eversource and Resilient Buildings Group were easy to work with, and because of this positive experience, I have already started energy efficiency upgrades at my other properties.” – Owner, Ray Tetu.