Tips for mobile home living: Is it right for you?

About 22 million people in the United States live in mobile homes. These prefabricated homes — also known as modular or manufactured homes — are dwellings built on metal frames in a factory and delivered to the homeowner in one or two pieces.

Owning a mobile home has plenty of benefits, but most mobile home buyers rank affordability at the top of the list. According to the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), the average price per square foot of a mobile home is $72, compared to $143 for a typical site-built home.

Even so, if you're trying to decide whether a mobile home makes sense for you or your family, cost is just one consideration.

What to know about buying your first mobile home

Generally, the monthly payments for manufactured home loans are lower than the cost of rent, which gives buyers a chance to build equity. These lower costs are attributed to production efficiency — not a lesser-quality product — according to the MHI. Since they're built in a factory rather than on-site, mobile homes benefit from economies of scale — meaning more homes can be built for cheaper. Plus, they're not at risk of on-site building factors like poor weather or theft.

In addition to the affordability factor, customizable features make mobile homes an attractive option for some buyers. Customizable amenities include things like walk-in closets, fireplaces and energy-efficient appliances.

Not to mention, in 1976, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released strict federal standards to regulate manufactured housing design and construction. This HUD Code sets industry performance standards for manufactured homes' thermal and electrical systems, heating, plumbing and air conditioning.

So, manufactured homes built after 1976 are durable and considered as safe as other homes.

What's the difference between mobile, manufactured, modular and park homes?

Technically, the term "mobile home" refers to prefabricated homes built before 1976. "Manufactured homes" refers to homes built after 1976 in accordance with HUD's new building standards. However, today the two terms are used interchangeably.

• Manufactured homes are prefabricated homes built off-site and transported to their permanent location, where they're placed on wooden pillars, metal piers, a solid foundation or a basement.
• Modular homes are also constructed in home building facilities. However, unlike manufactured homes that are built in one piece, modular homes typically consist of two to five pieces that are joined at the home site, on top of a solid foundation. Because they arrive divided into pieces, modular homes can be multiple stories tall. Modular homes must be built according to state and local codes.
• Park model RVs (PMRV) are temporary or long-term living quarters built on a single trailer chassis and mounted on wheels. They aren't designed to be used as permanent residences. Rather, they're intended for recreational, seasonal or travel use. Once set up in their destination, park homes are connected to the park's utilities. Park homes are built according to RV industry code, but are usually prefabricated in factories that build manufactured homes. RVs vary in size and type. Learn more about protecting your RV with the right insurance.

Preparing your mobile home for cold weather

If your manufactured home was built after 1976, it was engineered for wind safety and optimal mobile home energy efficiency based on the geographic region where you bought it. Still, MHI advises that proper installation is crucial for maximum safety. This includes additional structures like awnings, decks, carports or sunrooms that were added by the owner.

Not only does winterizing your mobile home help you save money on utilities and repair costs, but it also makes your home safer. Take the following steps to prepare your home for cold weather.

10 ways to winterize your mobile home

1. Seal your manufactured home from drafts and leaks with a tube of polyurethane caulking. Concentrate on gutter and downspout seams, door and window frames, and plumbing and furnace vent pipes. Don't overlook not-so-obvious places where warm air can escape, like around your dryer vent and at the TV antenna wire entrance.
2. Use weather stripping to guard air flow around exterior doors and windows.
3. Maintain your roof. A local dealer or service center can suggest an appropriate roof coating you can use to seal around vent caps, the water heater and exhaust fans. Be sure to apply it when your roof is dry.
4. Slightly loosen your home's tie-downs if you expect freezing weather. When the ground freezes solid, it causes "ground heave," where the frozen ground shifts up to 3 inches. If the tie-downs are tight, that shifting can cause structural damage. During the spring, be sure to tighten them back down.
5. Wrap heat tape around water pipes to prevent them from freezing. Take care not to overlap heat tape when you apply it or if you replace loose or worn tape. When heat tape is improperly applied, it can cause a short circuit or a fire.
6. Be sure your manufactured home furnace operates efficiently. Call a professional each year to inspect your fuel lines, safety controls, burner and flue pipe.
7. Remove the thermostat cover and vacuum away dust and dirt.
8. Vacuum accumulated dirt surrounding your home's blower motor.
9. Check to ensure the flue runs in a straight line from the top of the furnace through the ceiling. Secure any loose wiring away from the flue pipe.
10. If you have a fireplace, ask a professional to inspect and clean your chimney to remove the accumulation of creosote. This chemical substance could build up and cause a chimney fire.

As with any home, stay safe by properly maintaining your space heater, fireplace or wood stove. As a general rule of thumb, keep space heaters at least 36 inches from anything combustible and use only manufacturer-approved fuel.