We have recently added the capability to accurately model manufactured homes in Snugg Pro. This article will review some of the new inputs that are unique to manufactured homes and how to properly model them.
There are two minor changes to inputs. First, there are new options in the "Type of Home" dropdown - there are now options for "Single Wide Mobile Home" and "Double Wide Mobile Home."
While there are better technical definitions to delineate between single- and double-wide mobile homes, the easiest way to make the distinction is by width. Singe-wide units are typically 12-18 feet wide and double-wide units start at 20 feet. For any manufactured home that is double-wide or greater, select "Double Wide Mobile Home."
There is also a new wall assembly type that will appear when the home type is single- or double-wide mobile home, "Mobile Home 2x3."
The first significant change is to attics. To properly model single-wide units, attic type is fixed to 100% vault. It will be possible to add multiple vaults to account for different insulation levels, but single-wide units must be modeled as vaulted ceilings.
For 2+ wide units, the attic inputs will remain as they are for conventional houses.
There is also a significant change to foundations.
While the foundation for mobile homes may resemble crawl spaces, properly modeling manufactured homes requires foundations to be 100% frame floors. This holds regardless of whether the dwelling is on permanent piers or keeps its transport chassis.
There is also an option to select whether the dwelling has a skirt and the condition of "Belly Insulation and "Wing Insulation".
Before going further, let's define the terms "Wing Insulation" and "Belly Insulation." In manufactured homes, wing insulation runs along the dwelling, directly below the floor. It runs lengthwise along the outside - the "wings" - of the floor of the living space. Belly insulation also runs lengthwise along the dwelling, but between the wings and typically creates a chaseway for HVAC distribution. You can see an example in this picture - the wings run along the left and right under the floor, the belly runs down the middle. The skirt - if present - is on the exterior and covers the space between the floor and the ground.
Next, choose the condition of the wing and belly insulation. Selecting the condition of the belly and wing insulation will inform how much the existing insulation should be de-rated, if at all, to reflect its condition.
Then, input whether any insulation on the underside of the dwelling is above or below the ducts.
If there is no insulation, select any condition and either location (above or below ducts) and you will need to update the base R-values to zero in Refine --> Frame Floors --> Wing Insulation and Belly Insulation.
All other remaining inputs remain consistent with those of conventional stick-built homes. Snugg Pro professionals are available via support to help with and specific questions that come up on projects.