Skip to content

Resource Library

ACEEE: Strong Universal Energy Efficiency Standards Will Make Manufactured Homes More Affordable 

Download

Overview

Read the report which analyses the home standards that will make manufactured homes more affordable for low-income residents.

Manufactured homes (sometimes called mobile homes) make up about 7% of the new homes built each year and are an essential source of affordable housing—about half of residents are low-income. However, new manufactured homes are subject to weak federal energy efficiency standards that have not been updated in nearly three decades.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed a new, two-tiered standard that would be less stringent for cheaper manufactured homes. Though the proposed standard is intended to protect affordability for low-income residents, it will result in the most vulnerable residents receiving lower quality homes and higher energy bills. Our analysis shows that:

  • Strong efficiency standards for manufactured homes would improve affordability by lowering total housing costs and alleviating high energy burdens for nearly 1,000,000 residents
  • Low-income residents of manufactured homes tend to be renters or to live in older homes, in which the net savings from energy efficiency measures are highest
  • The stronger standard proposed by DOE would yield $3,383 in net savings over the life of an average home, with savings increasing for residents of older homes
  • Including heat pump water heaters (and other efficiency options consistent with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code) could increase net savings to $5,540

View report

Related Resources

Download this BPA resource

Consumer Guide to Solar Electricity

Adding solar to your property is a big decision. This guide will help homeowners understand the basics of renewable energy, financing options, impacts to their electric bill, and which questions to ask the experts.

Podcast icon

Indoor Environments: Does CO2 Equal IAQ with guest Andrew Persily

Indoor Environments welcomes Dr. Andrew Persily to discuss indoor air quality and its impacts on health and comfort.

Hyperlink icon to reveal a BPA Resource Video

Home Performance: Tips for HVAC Quality Control Targets and Specs for Builders and Contractors

In this video, Corbett Lundsford talks about HVAC quality control targets and testing.