Fall is a beautiful time of the year that signals the changing of the seasons. While it’s a time to give thanks for the many blessings that have taken place throughout spring and summer, it is equally important to begin groundwork for the changing temperatures and colder months. When it comes to mobile homes, this was a time of anxiety where preserving heat was a struggle. While manufactured homes no longer struggle with the same limitations and problems, it is still important to winterize your home so that you can minimize heat loss to avoid hefty heating bills.
Check The Manual For Your Manufactured Home
Before you get started, a wise move is to check the manual that came with your manufactured home. If you have lost the owner’s copy, you should be able to find them online on the manufacturer’s website. For those living in MCM Communities, you also have the benefit of a reliable community management team that is fostered to help you better winterize your home. Verifying your unique manufactured home’s manual is important as each home is customized with different features, structure, and floor plan.
Clean the Gutters
Keeping your gutters clean and clutter-free is a vital step in your winterization process. A gutter filled with leaves and twigs will hinder smooth water drainage, causing the formation of ice during freezing temperatures. Besides damaging your gutter, accumulated snow and ice will also freeze the roof’s seam. Simply remove the debris or spray the gutter with a water hose, until you get a smooth water flow out of the downspout.
Update Your Skirting
Skirting refers to a layer that is placed at the area that is beneath your floor. It is crucial that you ensure that the skirting of your manufactured home is in good condition as it acts as a layer of insulation to retain heat as well as to prevent snow from accumulating under your house. If there are any exposed areas, make sure that they are properly skirted before winter comes. While there are many materials out in the market, they each have their own benefits and it is important to consult a professional on what would work best for the type of weather conditions and climate that you have.
Reverse Your Ceiling and Exhaust Fans
A cost-free trick that is not widely practiced is to reverse your ceiling and exhaust fans during the winter. Conventionally, ceiling fans create a cooling breeze by spinning counterclockwise, pushing any cool air downwards and pushing the hot air up. On the contrary, reversing your fan blades pulls up cold air and leaves the warm air in your living space. Most fans are fitted with summer and winter settings that can be easily manipulated by a button on the remote control or side of the fan.
For those who’re still looking for your first home, contact MCM Homes today to experience the joys of homeownership.