Electric Co-op Today

CLEVELAND―When it comes to energy efficiency, manufactured housing can present tough challenges. But some co-ops are meeting the challenge those units present by finding ways to help consumer-members save money, as they work to reduce overall demand.

A technician examines a badly compromised crossover duct under a manufactured home in North Carolina. (Photo courtesy of Tideland EMC)

“We identified more than 100 electric co-ops that likely have more than 25 percent of their consumer-members living in manufactured housing units,” said Eric Cody, a Cooperative Research Network consultant.

CRN published “Retrofitting Manufactured Homes for Improved Energy Efficiency” in June. The report is available through the CRN section of cooperative.com.

Cody, who authored the report, participated in a panel discussion entitled “Lessons Learned: Energy Efficiency for Manufactured Homes” at the CRN Summit, July 20, where the audience got some ideas to improve efficiency in manufactured housing.

“Many of these units are extremely inefficient,” said Cody. “In some co-ops, 25 to 30 percent of their customers live in manufactured homes, but generate 90 percent of the high-bill complaints.”

But energy-efficiency retrofit programs developed for site-built housing frequently fail to address the design differences of manufactured housing. Insulation batting might be outsized, foundation and roofing designs are different, and occupants often can’t afford meaningful upgrades.

Some co-op member services staffers are proving that with the right skills, knowledge and attention to detail, many units can be successfully retrofitted for improved efficiency.

Columbia, S.C.-based G&T, Central Electric Power Cooperative has developed an energy-efficiency program that includes manufactured housing. So far, more than 800 units have received audits and upgrades, financed in part with federal stimulus funds.

“Our focus has been on weatherization,” said Michael Smith, the co-op’s energy programs manager, adding that this approach pays off in both winter and summer. “Sealing up the homes so that the air does not travel in and out keeps the cold air in and the warm air out,” Smith said of the summertime benefits. “It also keeps the humidity out.”

The co-op continues to track energy usage as part of bill evaluations on the completed projects. It recently launched a pilot program that allows members to finance some of the improvements with payments included in their monthly utility bills, said Smith.

“We’re focusing on some of the most effective things we can do in manufactured housing,” said Smith. “Those include duct work improvement, HVAC improvement, primarily replacement of electric furnaces, and air sealing.”

Related content: 2011 CRN Summit

Tags: 2011 CRN Summit, Consumer Outreach, Cooperative Research Network, Energy Efficiency