The Right Mobile Home Heat Pump

  • April 8, 2020
  • By MR COOL

Do you need heating and cooling for your mobile or manufactured home? A mobile home heat pump gives you all the advantages of air conditioning along with effective and efficient heating. It also means you don’t have to install a standalone electric heater or furnace that takes up precious interior square footage. 

MRCOOL has a lot of heat pumps. There are central heat pumps, ductless heat pumps, and awesomely efficient geothermal heat pumps. Some of these products will fit your lifestyle and home needs better than others. 

But which one?   

Mobile Home Heat Pump Types

Many of the same buying considerations you would have for a typical air conditioner can be applied to a new mobile home heat pump. You need to consider climate, insulation, interior space, and the price point that will keep you financially comfortable.

Broadly speaking, there are three types of mobile home heat pump from MRCOOL:

Package Heat Pump

A central heat pump for a mobile or manufactured home is typically a package unit. Packages units contain all the essential components such as the coils, compressor, and fan inside a single cabinet. They are installed outside the home, and connect to the air ducts. 

Package units can make a great manufactured or mobile home heat pump. They’re easy to install, since the homeowner only has to connect the electrical. There is no need to vacuum, charage, or handle refrigerants in any way. For those with existing air ducts in good condition, a package unit may be the right option. 

Ductless Heat Pump

A ductless heat pump consists of an indoor air handler, usually wall mounted, and an outside condenser. Often referred to as a mini-split, a ductless heat pump is smaller than a typical central heating and air conditioning split system. However, some MRCOOL models can connect up to five interior air handlers to a single condenser, and that is more than sufficient to compete with a central air unit in anything but the largest buildings. 

The other advantage of a ductless mobile home heat pump is that it can be installed without having to rely on ducts that might be old or damaged. You can put the air handler on any wall you want to ensure you get the right air comfort in spaces you use the most. Plus, thanks to our DIY technology, a ductless mobile home heat pump is one that just about anybody can put in without expensive HVAC tools or specialized training. 

Geothermal Heat Pump

Sometimes known as a ground or water source heat pump, a geothermal heat pump is easily the most energy efficient mobile home heat pump option available. Now, that being said, these units do have some very specific operating requirements. 

First, you can’t just put a geothermal heat pump anywhere. Most installations require a significant amount of outdoor surface area or depth. Because you’re most likely going to have to install a horizontal loop system or a vertical loop system in the ground around your house. 

Horizontal loops need significant space. Vertical loops go down deep. If you don’t have a big lot, horizontal isn’t an option. If you have very rocky ground, vertical is out. If you don’t have either of those things, then a geothermal heat pump is most likely not going to be your next mobile home heat pump system. 

Plus, installation is not cheap even if you meet all the requirements. It can cost $20,000 or more to have a geothermal heat pump installed. The average price of a double-wide manufactured home in the US is roughly $105,000, so when you factor in that a geothermal heat pump costs almost a quarter of the amount, you can see why this is not the most popular option.  

Now, all that being said and with the installation requirements in mind, geothermal heat pumps simply are some of the best and most energy efficient heating and air systems available. Some homeowners reduce their annual utility costs by up to 75%. Which is a whole heck of a lot. So, if you live in a region with high electricity bills and you can take advantage of lucrative geothermal incentives, then a geothermal mobile home heat pump should be a serious consideration. 

Other Factors to Consider

Once you figure out the basic type of mobile home heat pump you want, here are a few other considerations to keep in mind: 

Energy Efficiency

Heat pumps have two energy measurements because they cool and heat. The cooling element is measured by Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER) which is the same as air conditioners. As with air conditioners, the northern states have a minimum SEER of 13, while the mid and southern states have a minimum rating of 14 SEER.

When it comes to generating heat, these systems get measured by something called Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), and the minimum federal rating for a heat pump is 7.7. 

In warmer climates, a higher SEER is more crucial while in colder environments, a higher HSPF is better. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy states that you should consider buying a heat pump with a minimum SEER of 15 and a HSPF of 8.5. 

Installation Location

Just like air conditioners, the location of your heat pump can affect the performance and efficiency. When you are picking the spot for any outside mobile home heat pump components, choose a place away from the elements, especially high winds. Placing a small fence in front of the coils can help, but don’t get too close or you’ll obstruct air flow (which is bad). 

To avoid unnecessary noise pollution, place the heat pump away from windows. While they are quieter than air conditioners, they still operate at around 70 dB, which is just below the noise level of a vacuum cleaner. You don’t want that kicking on right outside your bedroom window in the middle of the night. 

Insulation

Insulating your mobile home will increase the performance of the heat pump while reducing running costs. Historically older mobile homes have poor insulation, so it may be worth tackling that task before you invest in a heat pump. In essence, your heat pump is only as efficient as your home. Also, installing programmable thermostats can increase efficiency by automatically adjusting the temperature according to the climate, saving you as much as 10% annually on your heating bill. 

Final Thoughts

A good MRCOOL mobile home heat pump is worth every cent. Not only will it keep you cool in the summer, they will also keep you warm in winter. Plus, they dehumidify, removing as much as 4 liters of moisture from the atmosphere every hour, depending on the model you choose. Mobile homes don’t breathe the same way that stick built houses do, so humidity is a problem you want to maintain a handle on. 

Do you have questions about any of our products? Just ask us in the comments section.


56 thoughts on “The Right Mobile Home Heat Pump”

  1. I have a 2200 squ ft mobile home around Okc . I would like to replace the unit where the furnace is at and outside unit. It is a down draft system. What would you recommend to put in

    1. If you want to get rid of any interior units entirely, you could consider a Signature Series Package Heat Pump. Check them out here.

  2. Almost every mobile home I’ve ever seen has smaller rectangular duct requiring a high static blower motor do you guys have those set up in your package units already? Or is that something that you have to have as an add-on?

  3. I have a 1500 sq ft manufactured home that I am going to add a couple rooms to. I am already due for a new system (currently an old r22 split system) but I am not happy with air distribution as it is now but when I add two rooms the already small ductwork wouldn’t handle the additional rooms. I have been looking at Mr. Cool with multi zones or even 2 separate dual or triple zones units. I am concerned with the air distribution of only 4 or 6 inside units covering the whole house. I am having a hard time finding anything that details that. Can You advise?

    1. You could heat and cool your home using mini splits! You’ve stated that you’ve considered multi-zones and multiple single units, which are both viable options. Whole home cooling and heating with mini splits works wonderfully in an open-concept home, but with smart placement of a mini split, it can cover a number of different areas, especially if doors are left open to allow the mini split to do its work. On https://mrcooldiy.com/, we have more information regarding DIY mini splits, as well as multi-zone mini splits and pricing.

  4. So I have a double wide mobile home…30 X 80…I have an existing 4 Ton AC unit that is paired with a Nordyne furnace…it’s one where during the winter I light the furnace and during the summer the furnace is off…it is downdraft and the cooling coils are in the same compartment as the furnace, right underneath it. I need a Mr. Cool system that is the same setup, as my ducting is still in great shape. Anything?

    1. We have a number of different combinations of air conditioning condensers, coils, and gas furnaces in our Signature series. We do have a 4 ton split system with vertical airflow. You can also purchase the units by themselves if you just need one unit. Check out https://mrcool.com/ac-condensers-mac16/ for more information on our condensers, https://mrcool.com/mrcool-signature-series-95-gas-furnace-mgm95-mgd95/ for more info on our furnaces, and take a look at our Signature series products featured on Home Depot, Lowe’s, and IWAE.com.

  5. Hello, I have a 24 x 40 older 1995 mobile home in Naples Florida in direct sunlight.. The current air never cools off below 80 during a hot afternoon. Will finally cool down after sun down.. I beleive my old air is a 2 ton..1995 model package air and heat..I know my sq ft is only 960..Should be a 2 ton unit..I wonder if I should step up to a 2.5 ton. MPH301M414A. UNIT Would be best????

    1. It’s possible that you may just need to update your heating and cooling system, but sizing up could possibly help combat the warmer climate you live in as well as the direct sunlight your home experiences. What unit you decide on also depends on what insulation you have.

  6. I have a $l2,300 square foot double wide mobile home with a downdraft split system I’m trying to find a efficient system to work with that setup any ideas all electric

  7. We are purchasing a brand new 1600 square foot double wide to be placed in Tennessee. Humid summers and cool winters (but not as bad as the midwest ;}), and it doesn’t come with a heat pump. I have no idea what kind of duct work it has, but I am assuming it is all pretty standard. I get confused with all the terminology but since I love your commercials, and my son highly recommends your product, I wanted to check it out. Recommendations, please?

    1. The factory-standard ductwork for a mobile or manufactured home is generally not compatible with typical central air systems. You would need a unit designed for those applications. Any of our package units should work. And, of course, our ductless mini-splits would be effective as well.

  8. I have a small cabin (16×40) with cathedral ceilings in Vermont. We use it in the winter for skiing. The walls are insulated well but the roof not so much. We have a wood stove for when we are there. I would like to keep the house from freezing when we are not there during the week. Is a DIY 24000 unit an option for me?

    1. The DIY 24k could be an option. The best mini-split we have for winter heating is the Olympus Hyper Heat. It is ideal for cold climate heating.

  9. 1991 14×70 mobile home. I want a self contained heat pump unit. I live in Reedsville Ohio Meigs County. What size unit should I go with? Thanks.

    1. To use your ductwork, you should look at our Signature Series packaged units. If you want to a ductless option, I would recommend our DIY mini-splits. You would likely need at least 18k BTUs to cool a space that size. The best way to know what you need is by having a Manual J load calculation performed.

  10. We are purchasing a new 2021 Golden West Manufactured home, 1500sft. We live in northeastern Washington State, cold winters, right now, is 21degrees, summers occasionally get onto the 90s. Can you recommend a Mr cool system for this unit which will come a/c preped.

    1. Our easiest system to install is the MRCOOL DIY. However, the best for cold winters is the MRCOOL Olympus Hyper Heat.

  11. Hello , I found this site while during an internet search for Mr. Cool products used in a mobile home . I have a Mobile home and our current 20YM old system need an update . Our home is 16wx80L, 3 bed – 2 bath. The current system is split with the Fan , Air handler / Furnace on the inside . Which Mr. Cool product will work with a mobile home .Thank you

    Richard

      1. Our mobile home is single wide, also 16×80. The front half is living area and kitchen. The back half is a long hallway with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath on the side, ending in a larger BR and bath that is the width of the trailer. Do we need to put a mini-split in each bedroom and bathroom?

        1. If you want the spaces to be heated and cooled when doors are closed then you may want to consider putting an air handler in the bedrooms. We would not recommend putting an air handler in a bathroom, because it is an area with high levels of humidity, which would eventually negatively affect the operation of the unit. If you want heating and cooling in the bathroom, we might recommend installing an air handler near the bathroom and leaving the door open when not in use.

  12. Almost every mobile home I’ve ever seen has smaller rectangular duct requiring a high static blower motor do you guys have those set up in your package units already? Or is that something that you have to have as an add-on.

    1. You are correct, most manufactured homes have undersized ductwork that requires high static blowers. High static blowers are not standard. The best application would be in a mobile home that has retrofitted conventional ductwork.

  13. I have a 28 x 72 mobile home, I have been looking and considering a multi zone for some time . My only reservation is in mobile homes there’s not much access to the attic . Is the attic the only option for running the lines to the air handlers

    1. No, in fact you don’t have to use an attic at all. The lines on a multi-zone can be run the same way they are on a single-zone: out through the wall behind the air handler and then outside the home to the condenser.

  14. I was looking into a MRCOOL 3-ton 14-seer central air conditioner. However, i live in a 1996 doublewide
    can this unit be installed with no issues?

  15. I need to know if the mr.cool heat pump would be a good fit for a mobile home 24×40. I live in west Tennessee, very humid here.

    1. If you’re interested in the MRCOOL DIY ductless mini-split system, you might find that a DIY 24k BTU system could work for you. You may want to size up, though, depending on factors such as insulation, sun exposure, the number of people in your home, climate, and other things. The DIY will also absorb humidity during its cooling operation.

  16. I have 1997, 1200 square foot manufactured home. In Southwest Michigan. We get some -0 degree days in winter and near 100 degree days in summer. Wondering what size Mr cool heat pump setup would be best for me? Thanks

    1. Depending on factors such as insulation, sun exposure, climate, and many other things, we might recommend a 3 Ton Universal. The Universal has a 100% heating capacity at -5° Fahrenheit, and it has a 78% heating capacity at -22° Fahrenheit. It also has a 100% cooling capacity at 115° Fahrenheit, and a 78% cooling capacity at 130° Fahrenheit.

  17. Last fall I bought a new, well insulated, 4×40 560 sq.ft. manufactured home with a pitched ceiling. It has just one bedroom and combo kitchen/living room, a bathroom. and a short hall way where there is an electric furnace with a downdraft fan going to the floor air vents. There is also a ventilator fan inside the ceiling. The furnace seems way too powerful for the size of home. It really blasts and is very loud. Is there a way to hook an HVAC heat pump system to this? And would it be quieter? I live in the PNW and heat-pumps work well in my area and are very cheap to operate.

    1. You may be able to add one to your system, or you can replace your entire system with a heat pump. It really depends on your current wants and needs! If you decide to keep your furnace, it will act as the system’s blower, which means that the system will be as loud as your current furnace blower. Check out https://mrcooluniversal.com/ for more information!

  18. I plan to buy a new 24’ x 40’ ft manufactured home in Tucson, AZ . 2 Bed, 2 bath 730 sq. ft. It will be occupied year round as a primary residence. It comes with an FAU (furnace air unit) in the floor plan. I’m leaning toward an external heat pump to keep the noise down, and use the interior space for something else. Can you tell me: what is the difference (if any) between a heat pump and a gas pack? Will the manufacturer’s ductwork work with a heat pump, or do I need the dealership to install different ductwork? If so what do I tell them to do?

    1. The ductwork should work to support whatever unit (provided that it is suitable for manufactured homes) that you purchase. To make sure, you may want an HVAC professional to inspect your ductwork. This would be a good idea no matter what if you are changing your central HVAC unit. A heat pump will heat and cool using only electricity. You will need a fuel source, either natural gas or propane, to operate a gas HVAC unit.

  19. I have a 1996′ 28’x76′ mobile home with original Nordyne ac and electric heat. The unit is a 3.5 ton and has never really cooled the house on 90+ degree days since purchase. The data plate says my ductwork can handle up to 57,800 btus and it is in good shape. Trying to decide between a split or package system with high static blower.What size and type of MRCOOL system would you recommend?

    1. If you feel that a 3.5 ton unit is not powerful enough for your home, we might recommend a 4 ton Universal central heat pump split system. This system can cool in temperatures up to 115° Fahrenheit at a 100% cooling capacity, and it can cool at 130° Fahrenheit at a 78% cooling capacity. It can also be installed using pre-charged line sets. Take a look at https://mrcooluniversal.com/ for more information.

  20. 1600 SF mobile home in climate zone 5, normally very low humidity. Older inefficient gas furnace (75 AFUE, burning LPG) actually keeps us plenty comfortable, but at a cost. Pretty happy with our window-mount evap cooler for all but the hottest days. We only have 100a electric service, and I’m not sure that would be sufficient for 100% electric heating, long way to the power company’s lines, so upgrading service probably more than we are willing to spend. Considering addition of a slightly undersized mini split and keep the furnace too for when the heat pump by itself doesn’t quite cut it. Feasible?

    1. It could be! Our largest DIY ductless mini-split is a 36k BTU DIY ductless mini-split system, which can normally handle around 1,500 square feet. If you want it to heat and cool the entire space, this would be slightly undersized, as you would like. If you want to just heat and cool a specific room, you would need the square footage of that specific room.

  21. I have a new 16×76 manufactured home with upflow air. I ordered without an AC or heat pump. An electric furnace with blower was included. i want to install a heat pump and the easiest way would be to install an A-coil om the existing furnace along with outside condenser.

    I’d like to have the efficiency, quiet operation, and reduced startup surge of a mini split style outdoor unit and the easy install of the Mr Cool quick connects. I see that Mr Cool offers an A-coil now, but i dont think the enclosure for it will fit in my furnace. Is it possible to remove the A-coil from the enclosure and install in my existing furnace? It fits a 17.5″ A-coil. (2-3ton)

  22. I believe my mobile home is 1400 square feet, it’s a 2001 double wide home 18′ X 48′. It has the original oil fired furnace, although it had little use for 7 or 8 years as we had a pellet stove. I also have a 2 ton A/C unit installed around 2023. We live in New Hampshire, so winters here are cold. I would like to use the existing duct work, the floor is insulated from the manufacturer, but the crawl space isn’t. What would keep us comfortable both winter and summer?

    1. While the only way to know what size system you need is through having an HVAC professional perform a Manual J load calculation on your home, we might recommend the Central Ducted System for your home. It is mobile home compatible.

    1. We would recommend getting in contact with a tech or a local technician, because the only way you can properly size a space is to have a Manual J load calculation done. While a 2 ton system may work, we don’t know the quality of your insulation, where you’re located, or many other important factors about your space that affect the size you need. Based on square footage alone, it’s possible you need a 2 ton system, but without a Manual J load calculation, we cannot say for sure.

  23. I have an older ductless mobile home. It is 12 x 60. I am wondering what BTU you would suggest for me. I live in Canada where in the summers the humidity is very high and in the winters it gets very cold. I am in Ontario just outside Ottawa.

    1. Depending on how many separate spaces you want to heat and cool, we might recommend a multi-zone system, but we wouldn’t be able to recommend specific air handler sizes without knowing the square footage of these separate spaces. If you’re looking for just a single-zone system, we would recommend a 24k BTU system, especially since you’re needing better heat.

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