Conducting Successful Programs to Increase the Energy-Efficiency of Manufactured Housing

Nationally, about 13% of new single-family homes are\nmanufactured homes. In southern states, such as South\nCarolina, they comprise as much as 40% of new housing.\nSuch manufactured homes, commonly called HUD-code\nhomes, are regulated nationally through preemptive\nDepartment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)\nstandards, which have only two different sets of\nrequirements to cover all regions of the continental United\nStates. The HUD code prevents local adoption of\nstandards that apply to manufactured housing. Since\nmanufactured homes represent a significant segment of the\nhousing market, their impacts on energy consumption can\nbe substantial.\nIn the Pacific Northwest, manufactured homes\ncomprise around 20% of new single-family housing starts.\nIn this region, the Bonneville Power Administration\n(Bonneville) has instituted several programs designed to\npromote energy-efficiency improvements in buildings. One\nof the latest targets of these programs is manufactured\nhousing.\nSince 1985, Bonneville has conducted a multiyear\nprogram to promote higher efficiency in manufactured\nhomes. The program has included marketing studies,\nresearch projects, and a large-scale demonstration program.\nInformation about Bonneville's program should be of\ninterest to planners and policymakers in other parts of the\ncountry. This paper discusses the program, its key\noutcomes, and lessons learned.