Manufactured Home Energy Standards under Biden to Increase for Low-Income

Manufactured Home Energy Standards

So let’s talk manufactured homes energy efficient. For the Biden administration standards for manufactured homes will boost the energy efficiency of more than half of new units. However and in a major shortcoming, will require little improvement for smaller models. Thereby leaving future low-income residents with high energy bills.

Finalized today, the long-awaited standards from the Department of Energy (DOE). For it will require a majority of new manufactured homes (often known as mobile homes) to be greener. For example to have significantly more insulation than they must today. That’s as well as other energy-efficiency improvements.

Low to Low-Income Manufactured Home Energy Standards

But all of the homes can still be far less efficient. Especially than site-built homes in states with up-to-date codes. And the smaller “single-wide” models delivered on a truck in just one section. Thereby representing about 45% of today’s new manufactured homes. For it may still be made with only thin insulation or with single-pane windows. The efficiency requirements also for those homes will be only slightly stronger than those in place since 1994.

Effects of Biden’s New Manufactured Home Energy Standards

Manufactured homes are a critical type of affordable housing. For a majority of households who live in them have incomes under two times the federal poverty level. But the homes often waste large amounts of energy. That’s because of limited insulation and outdated windows and heating equipment. Energy costs are about 70% more per square foot in these homes. Especially compared to site-built homes. Moreover and a quarter of their residents spend more than 10% of their income on energy costs. This was in a report that ACEEE has found.

The new standards based on a proposal from DOE last year. For it will save consumers $5.06 billion in costs. That’s with a present value at 3% discount rate, net after added investments. In addition, it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80.4 million metric tons over 30 years. All according to DOE.

DOE Analysis of Manufactured Home Energy Standards

DOE’s own analysis found that a stronger standard would reduce residents’ overall costs over time. That’s requiring similar improvements for all models. Especially as the upfront costs would be exceeded by the reduced energy bills. An ACEEE study published in February found that the lowest-income residents. Those who are especially and rarely the first purchasers of the homes. For it would particularly benefit from a stronger standard ensuring all new units are significantly more efficient.

Background on Manufactured Home Energy Standards

Approximately 6.8 million manufactured homes are used as residences in the United States. In addition and in 2021, 105,772 new manufactured homes were shipped. So that’s about 7% of all new homes.

Conclusion

State or municipal building energy codes cover most new home construction. However, the federal government regulates manufactured homes. All which are made in facilities that may ship to multiple states. The Department of Housing and Urban Development sets a building code for the homes. But it has not updated the energy provisions since 1994.

Recognizing the need to reduce energy waste in these homes, Congress—in a bipartisan energy bill in 2007—directed DOE to develop and finalize a separate energy standard for manufactured homes by 2011. That’s based on the most recent model energy code for site-built homes (now the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code). The Sierra Club sued DOE over its failure to publish a rule by the 2011 legal deadline; the department agreed in a settlement to sign a final rule by May 16, 2022.

Source: ACEEE, Washington, DC—