What Size Air Conditioner For a 14×70 Mobile Home?

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

Summers seem to be getting hotter every year. It’s hard to imagine sitting in a mobile home that is baking in the sun all summer, unless you are sitting in a mobile home baking in the sun all summer. Air conditioning is essential for summer comfort in your mobile home just about anywhere in the USA.

You need an air conditioner that can operate at 18,000 BTU- 21,000 BTU for a 14×70 mobile home. It can cost between $2,500 and $15,00 to get a 1-ton or 18,000 BTU- 21,000 BTU air conditioner for a mobile home. You can also purchase multiple smaller window units for $300-$1,200 per window with smaller outputs.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the recommendations for your size of an air conditioner to cool a 14 x 70 home. We’ll also cover your geographical location can affect this, and provide you with the information you need to know. Let’s get started, shall we?

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Manufacturer’s Recommendation For A/C

Sometimes the decision about the size of the central air conditioning unit you need for your mobile home is already made for you. The size of the A/C that will work in your mobile home depends in part on the duct work that is already in your home to accommodate it.

Air conditioners don’t just have to cool air. They also have to get cool air to every part of your mobile home. The power of a central air conditioning unit to reach every part of your home is measured in column inches of water.

The “Col In” Number

Here’s a way to understand what that measurement is talking about: Have you ever noticed that the water in your toilet bowl goes down on a really windy day? The wind blowing over the plumbing vent of your toilet lowers air pressure, so water goes up, just a little, into the plumbing vent.

The same principle applies to your air conditioner. Column inches of water give you a measurement of how much air they can move. Most heating units generate air power for a 0.5-inch water column, and most air conditioning units generate air power for a 0.3 inch water column.

Whether an air condition can generate enough “oomph” to send cool air all through your mobile home depends on this power rating. Also, on the size of the duct work and number of return air vents your home’s manufacturer installed at the factory

Decisions Based On Manufacturer Recommendations

The manufacturer takes all of these considerations into mind when writing up the heating and cooling certificate. The heating and cooling certificate is a great guideline for choosing the right size central air conditioning unit for your home. But there are a few other things to keep in mind,

Geography And Sun Exposure

Even if you didn’t have a heating and cooling certificate, it wouldn’t be hard to find out how many BTUs your air conditioning unit needs to keep your home cool. Mobile homes are rectangular, so you multiply length time width to get area. For a 14 x 70 mobile home, that’s 980 square feet.

Then you look up the size of the air conditioner you need to 980 square feet in a BTU chart. As you go down the chart, you see that for a mobile home of 450 to 550 square feet, you need 12,000 BTUs. For 550 to 700 square feet, you need 14,000 BTUs. For 700 to 1000 square feet, it’s 18,000 BTUs. The next size is 21,000 BTUs.

Your 980 square feet is almost 1000 square feet. Do you stick with an 18,000 BTU air conditioner or do you maybe need a 21,000 BTU air conditioner just be sure that you can keep your home cool? The answer is, it depends on several different things.

Geography Makes A Difference

If you live on the Gulf Coast, in Texas, or at the lower elevations in southern California and Arizona, you probably want to opt for extra cooling power. But if you live in upstate New York or Minnesota, you may be more concerned about fighting humidity than about lowering temperatures.

Shade And North-South Orientation

If your mobile home is in the shade, you should be OK with an air conditioner of 18,000 BTUs. If your mobile home is in direct sun all day, you will want more cooling power, the 21,000 BTU option.

If your mobile home is oriented north to south, it will heat up more in direct sunlight. That’s a reason to go with the next larger unit. But if your mobile home is oriented east to west, the 18,000 BTU system will be enough.

How Old Is your Mobile Home?

The age and construction of your mobile home also makes a difference. Older mobile homes usually aren’t well-insulated. They may have gaps between doors and frames that leak cool air to the outside.

They need a more powerful unit, operating less efficiently and for more money in electricity bills. But older mobile homes may also lack the duct work needed to get cool air through your entire home. Don’t assume you can add A/C to an older mobile home without consulting an expert. Or be prepared to spend a lot of money on utility bills.

How Much Will I Spend?

Installing central air for a 14×70 mobile home can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000. You may also have to get a permit from your city or county to install the system. This price usually includes the labor fees for professionals, so of course, if you decide to do this on your own then you may save some money.

Check With Your Local Jurisdiction

Different municipalities have different laws regarding the installation and repair surrounding HVAC systems. Some will require you to hire a professional especially if you are needing to deal with refrigerants. However, some don’t mind so much as long as you get a building permit to do the job.

By calling your local authorities to find out exactly what you need to do to be able to complete this project successfully, you can bypass any potential fees or fines in the event that you don’t follow the law regarding the installation of an AC unit. You may be worried about the cost to hire a professional but the fines associated with breaking the law will be far more than you would pay for a professional’s help.

The Cost Depends On The Unit

Whatever type of unit you decide to get will also affect the cost. If you choose a unit that is used for industrial sites, then of course you’re looking at potentially more than $15,000. Also, if you don’t already have the ductwork installed then it will cost extra money to have that placed in your home.

However, you can always get a few window units to put throughout your mobile home so that you can save on the fees associated with installing a central cooling system in your mobile home. The plus-size is mobile home windows usually open up and down, making them perfect to host window units. If you decide to purchase a few window units instead, you’re looking at around $300 to $800.

Now with running several units at a time, you will also be paying a bit more in electricity costs. By making sure you shut the units off when you don’t need them, such as at night time, or on cooler days, you can help save a bit more money for your electric bill.


Related Questions

Can’t I cool my mobile home with window units?

Window air conditioning units are some of the least expensive home cooling devices, costing just $300 to $1200 per window. They are easy to install. You probably will be able to do it yourself.And window units are portable. When you move out of your trailer, you can take your window units with you.What are the disadvantages of AC window units?

  • Once you put in a window air conditioner, you can’t open the window.
  • Window air conditioning units can be a real eyesore.
  • Annual maintenance, such as cleaning air filters, is a must.
What about a heat pump for cooling my mobile home?

Heat pumps don’t just keep your home warm in the winter. They can also be used to draw heat out of your home in the summer.

Heat pumps are really inexpensive to operate, but they cost $5,000 to $15,000 to install. However, many cities offer energy efficiency rebates to offset the initial cost, Heat pumps aren’t in any way portable. Heat pumps don’t remove humidity from the air they heat, so you may also need a dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew.

Do You Need a Heating and Cooling Contractor?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Wrapping It Up

It’s important for you to know the costs surrounding your air conditioning system if you’re thinking of installing one in your mobile home. You should have at least 18,000 to about 21,000 BTU if you’re trying to cool a mobile home that’s 14 x 70. However, if you can’t afford this price you can always purchase several window units so that you can at least stay somewhat comfortable during the summer.

Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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