Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Home Heat Pumps

Cost, Installation, Repair, and Maintenance tips for all mobile home owners

What is a heat pump

A heat pump is simply an air conditioner than can heat your home as well as cool it. When the temperature is cold outside, the heat pump takes the warm air, and brings it inside. When it’s hot outside, the heat pump does the reverse through the reversing valve.

When should I use a heat pump or furnace for my mobile home?

Wondering when to use a heat pump vs a furnace for your mobile home heating unit? We have some guidelines that will help you make a more informed decision for your home project. You should consider installing a heat pump if…

You are okay with more upfront cost

Generally speaking, a heat pump costs more than a furnace. The average heat pump cost in the United States (without installation fees) can be between $1,000 and $2,500. This is because of the complex nature of a heat pump system.

You want to combine an air conditioner and heating unit

Having a mobile home heat pump can allow you to both heat and cool your home. If you are in need of an AC replacement and or need one installed, but also are looking for a new heating unit then a heat pump might just be the solution you need. Feel free to contact the experts at [company_name] for any questions on how a heat pump can help your mobile home HVAC system.

What are the pros and cons of using a heat pump for a mobile home?

Pros of a heat pump

Let’s start off with a quick list:

1. Lower running cost: Compared to furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps have a lower running cost due to their energy efficiency. This is due to the fact that a heat pump transfers air, rather than heating or cooling it with a burning of a fuel source.
2. Safety: Because their is no combustion with a heat pump, you may find that it is actually safer to have one in a mobile home than a furnace. However, please consult with a professional HVAC to ensure the safety of your heating and cooling unit before installing a heat pump.
3. Two-in-one heating and cooling: As mentioned earlier, a heat pump can act as both a heating and cooling unit for your home. This makes it ideal for you if you are looking for an all-in-one solution.
4. Electricity instead of gas, oil or propane: Heat pumps use electricity instead of burning fossil fuels, and they do not use precious water to cool your home like an evaporative cooler does.

Cons of a heat pump

Now some of things that may be a turn-off include:

1. High upfront cost: A heat pump has a high installation cost. The model itself can be more expensive than many furnace installation JOBS alone. However, this translates into more savings in the long-run when it comes to your utility bill.
2. Not super effective in cold weather: If you are in Tucson, or another part of Arizona this doesn’t really apply as much. But for those moving around in colder environments, or who really like being toasty, a heat pump has its drawbacks. Unlike their furnace cousins, there is no fuel to generate heat so if it’s constantly cold outside, it will be difficult to get warm air.
3. Not a super long lifespan: Heat pumps have a life span of roughly 10-15 years, although some higher end models can reach up to 20 years. A typical furnace usually lasts between 20-30 years.
4. More difficult to install: Because a heat pump is a two-in-one system you have to install the condenser properly, add air handler, and mount the air handler just to name a few tasks. This isn’t even taking into consideration the connections that need to be made throughout your home.

Are heat pumps bad for the environment?

As mentioned before, heat pump use electricity instead of gas, oil and propane, which means they produce much less CO2. Heat pump are considered much better for the environment than traditional furnaces.

How much does a heat pump cost?

A heat pump installation job is usually more of an intricate process than a furnace, so it requires more labor. This labor can add to the overall installation cost. Imagine a heat pump installation to be roughly the same as half the price of a used car. Depending on the work that needs to be done, you can expect to pay between $8,000 – $11,000 for the whole thing to be installed properly (parts, model, equipment, labor, etc). The unit itself may be affordable, but having it installed properly is crucial if you want to have a long-lasting relationship with your heating unit. Give your local HVAC company a call for an exact quote.

How often should I repair my heat pump?

We recommend getting your heat pump inspected by a maintenance servicemen twice a year to maintain peak efficiency. Why? Well, depending on the summer temperatures, if your unit was a car, it would put 50,000 miles or more on it in a single season! In other words, a lot of wear and tear goes into a heat pump during intense summers / winters.

How can I maintain my mobile home heat pump?

In order to have your heat pump last, we recommend above all else to change your filter! How often should you change your heat pump air filter? That depends on how much you use it. If you use it everyday then you might want to change your filter once a month or once every six (6) weeks.

Have any questions?

If you have any questions related to heat pump installation, repair, and maintenance for your mobile home, feel free to contact us at 520-623-1855