Zimmer Mh electric bill??

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DCDiva
Posts: 191
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:16 pm

Hi All
I bought another MH yep #3 lol still have other 2. This time it is a Zimmer and in great shape--no repairs--yea. We bought it for my dd to move into this summer when she starts dental school--another yea! She graduated this winter with 2 Bachelor degrees and working in a lab. My question for people that have electric furnaces in a MH what is your avg electric bill in winter?? I got a $350 bill and we have no electric except the HW tank and furnace as no one lives in mh. We have it set on 50. We have always had gas heat. My ?? we have a new gas MH furnace how hard is it put in to replace? Plus how do u figure out if the gas furnace is the right size for the mh?
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Greg S
Posts: 541
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:13 am
Location: Kingston Ontario Canada

I am presently renovating a mobile here in Ontario Canada (cold winters) that I am not living in. The only electricity used is for the electric furnace (no hot water tank) and power I use during the day to operate tools and lights. My electric bill is $250 to $300 monthly so I would say about the same depending on your hydro rates.
As far as the replacing of the furnace is concerned I have done replacements with the same type of furnace. The important factor is having the proper chimney for your gas replacement. Be prepared for the naysayers. The HVAC industry is very protective and will tell you it can't be done or is dangerous to be performed by laypersons. In fact it is no more difficult or dangerous that any other reno work if you educate yourself on the process. Pull the old one out, install the new one, check to make sure there are no gas leaks, have a HVAC specialist do a inspection (do not tell him you installed it yourself) address any issues he discovers and you are good to go.
There are HVAC forums that will answer most questions and provide specs as will manufactures web sites. Again be prepared for the naysayers as those in the industry will try to convince you it is brain surgery.

Size is based on BTUs. The BTU ratings are specified on every furnace. The old furnace and new should be within about 10,000 BTUs to perform the same. The specialists will again advise having a professional test for proper size but this is not necessary. Slightly less BTUs is fine as it will operate better than a oversized furnace.
An individual must enforce his own meaning in life and rise above the perceived conformity of the masses. (Anton LaVey)
jpingram5
Posts: 205
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 5:34 pm
Location: Orefield, PA
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Replacing the furnace can be a production as most mobile homes shove them in tight closets making it a pain to work on. Since the unit now is straight electric. You will have to run a new line to power it. 14/2 or 12/2 off a single 15A breaker should be right for it. Assuming this isn't a high efficient furnace that is vented in PVC you will need the special lined vent pipe & and a roof jacket for it. Find out what the clearances are for it. You might have to rig up the floor connection depending if the units are different sizes and supply openings. Gas piping needs to be done and correctly sized. Use soapy water to spray the joints and watch for bubbles or just pay someone to run the gas if your not comfortable with it.

It's a task but just take your time and be prepared.
2009 Skyline Sunwood Premier 14 x 80
oldtimer
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:02 pm
Location: Jefferson City Missouri

Another thing to check is the hot water heater elements. I had one go bad in a stick home and didn't know it. The electric bill was crazy. I noticed it by accident by walking past the electric meter and noticed it spinning like a top. I went in and shut off the breakers except the water heater and wow it was still spinning. I replaced the element and everything was fine.
Good luck.
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