Making Your Modular Home More Efficient During the Minnesota Winter

December 20, 2010

Winter is here and you will be using a lot more energy in your home, from having lights on longer to a furnace working overtime.  Here is an easy check list to follow when you are trying to reduce your monthly energy bills.  You should seek professional assistance in each of these areas to assure the proper corrections have been made.

Have an energy audit- can be conducted by your local electric co-op or a private party.

Seal air leaks- check around windows, doors, and any other seams/joints in your home.

Check mechanical systems- change furnace filters regularly and systems for proper working order.

Heat efficiently- replace old systems with new efficient ones.

Use a programmable thermostat- this helps heat only when you need it.

Control hot water use- change to a low flow shower head and lower the temperature on your water heater.

Replace light bulbs-  use CFL’s (Compact Fluorescent Lights) as they will save you a considerable amount on your bills over time.

Use outlet switches-  this is where you have a way of shutting power of to small appliances, televisions, etc. 

Install timers/motion light-  these work well for frequently used lights and others that are in hard to reach areas.

Buy ENERGY STAR products- these products are there to save you money.

For even more information feel free to visit www.energy.mn.gov.

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The Complete Home Project: What You Need to Know When Organizing Your New Minnesota Modular/Manufactured Home Project

December 10, 2010

The one item I hear over and over again when working with potential clients is “I didn’t think about all of these other items”.  It is important to sit down with an expert to discuss all the items that are needed and required by the state building code.

The following are items to consider when putting together your new home project.

Excavation- Digging the hole for you foundation, trenching for

garage footing, trenching for water lines and site preparation.

Foundation-  There are many types of foundations:  Frost piers,

floating slab, crawlspace, or basement.

Plumbing/heating- Gas, water, sewer, central hook-ups.

Electric-Hook-up to the main breaker panel in the home, wire

for a garage and basement.  Don’t forget if you have a rural site there may be some REA (Rural Electric Association) charges.

Carpentry-  Insulate foundation, supply/install windows in basement, build stairwell to basement, exterior steps.

Sewer & Water-  These hook-ups may vary depending on city or rural site.

Garage, breezeway, porches-  These items are built on site after

your modular or manufactured home is set on the foundation, so you can decide on any size and materials. 

Building permit/miscellaneous items-  Most cities and counties

have some type of building permit and it is always good to put some extra in the budget just in case.

Of course don’t forget the home and land—-Project complete!

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