I never realized how much it was going to cost to heat a trailer. I had a few people tell me that it was hard to heat a trailer. I just didn’t realize what “hard to heat a trailer” was going to mean.
If you can make out my blurry picture above you can see that my electric bill for this month is $497.78. Yes, you read right – the electric bill for my trailer is $497.78 for one month!!
Why My Electric Bill if Freakin’ Astronomical
I have about $10,000 in this trailer. I bought the actual trailer itself for $1500. I thought I could fix the trailer up the way I wanted if I bought it cheap enough and put my own money into it – and cosmetically, I did.
I replaced all of the flooring. There were several spots in the ceiling as well as the floor boards that were replaced. I bought a brand new electric furnace and water heater. I replaced toilets. I added a front and back porch and painted the entire trailer.
A friend of the family did most of the work. Of course he was paid and trust me it wasn’t cheap! The problem was that some of the work was…well, half assed or something of that nature.
Preventing a Sky High Electric Bill
Please take my advice on this if you ever consider moving into a trailer or know anyone who will be! I bought this place to save money. $497 electric bills are not saving me money. I would be better off renting in this situation.
Number One: Make sure you have proper insulation.
This is so important. If you don’t have proper insulation in a trailer then your warm air won’t stay warm for very long. When I bought my trailer there were several holes in the ceiling. When the old drywall was removed so was the insulation. When the new drywall was put in new insulation was not.
Now I am heating a tin box.
Insulation has got to be the single most important factor in heating a trailer. If you do nothing else before buying one, make sure that it is well insulated.
Number Two: Check Your Doors
Trailer parts are cheap, in this sense I mean not well built. My doors are absolutely horrible. The back door has to be slammed just to shut. And even after it shuts there is a tiny crack that runs about six inches up from the bottom.
Check your doors for cracks. If you find a crack put an insulation strip around your door. You should probably put an insulation strip around your door even if you don’t see a crack.
Number Three: Put Plastic on the Windows
I put plastic on the windows when I moved in. It didn’t prevent me from me having a near $500 electric bill, but who knows it could have prevented me from having a $700 electric bill.
Putting plastic on all of the windows is a smart move. It will keep the cold air from getting in and help prevent that super expensive, warm air from getting out.
Number Four: Get on a Budgeted Plan
When I was complaining about last month’s $203 electric bill a reader suggested that I get on a budgeted plan with my electric company. I thought this was a fantastic idea and had every intention of doing this I just never followed through.
Guess where I am going tomorrow?
Most electric companies will set you up on budgeted plans. They estimate your annual usage and divide the estimate up into equal installments. Then at some point in the year they will look at your actual usage and settle up with you.
Now last month’s $203 electric bill is looking pretty attractive. I will definitely be on the look out to do everything I can to lower my electric bill. Has anyone had any similar experiences or any tips to share? I could sure use them!
What tips do you have to save on heating costs?
Wow that is so expensive!
Yes it is! Scary Expensive!
I found someone on youtube that put sleeping bags over window, I tried it last winter and it helped!
So how could you see out….or used just at night?
Hi im having the same problem as well trailor in ohio been her for few years and electric bill is around $500 a month EEK! The furnace is probly 25 years old and needs replaced. Our electric heater seems to runfor along time and seems to not being blowing much hot air out of vents. We put in a new blower 2 years ago.. Also we put plastic and duct tape over where the return air vent is suppposed to be because cold air comes air out . do u think i need a new furnace ? Now we owe like $1500. Any suggestions cantget on pip program now because making to much money to get it . i really dont think its just insulation maybe the return is the problem cause i have it blocked off. How or what should i do ?
You should never block the return because that’s what circulates the air in your home. You need to have humidity in your house also that will make the air warmer
Right on about insulation and checking doors! And if you can’t afford insulation stripping for your door, just use duct tape and tape around your door to cover the cracks. I used to do that in an old apartment I was in. Like you, there was a 6″ “crack” under the door and so I just covered it with duct tape. It wasn’t pretty, but it kept the heating cost down a bit.
And the insulation thing, man, if that family friend of yours forgot to put insulation in didn’t tel lyou about it, I’d probably demand my money back or demand that he put it in for free or somethign. It’s ridiculous! There isn’t a home in the world that should be without insulation.
Yeah my Dads best friend do the work is a double edged sword. And the thing is he is a contractor!
I really don’t care about looks I think I will try insulation and duct tape. Anything that will keep that bill down will work for me. Thanks for the tip!
caulk around all your windows, seal any holes around pipes under sinks, put new weather striping around doors. If you can get drapes with insulation backing and keep them pulled closed. insulate around all plug ins. oh and keep your furnace filter changed regularly. hope this helps.
I have been living in a mobile home heated with propane for 10 years. It has Insulation but walls are thin so not much can fit in there. Had blown insulation put under floors as there was little there. That with the existing carpets raised floor temp from 32 to 60’s. Propane not as costly as electric but still expensive and never really fells warm. I live alone so used to confine myself to my bedroom in the evenings and ran two portable heaters at night. As long as I stayed there was reasonably warm.
Tired of being cold and this winter is supossed to be harsh. Just installed a pellet stove and ordered 3 tons of pellets. It will definitely be cheaper and did this because my neighbors said pelle,stove has saved them a bundle and they are w a r m. Will let you know how it works out for season. I am definitely already warmer.
My dad uses a pellet stove in his house and it is very warm!
I, too, live in a mobile home (in northeast NJ) that was manufactured in 1970. My electric bill for this month is a whopping $672!!! We have the weatherproof plastic stuff over the windows, and had to resort to duct-taping the windows from the outside, because they are the old-fashioned roll-out kind and the wind was making them flap open, making all of our warm air go outside. The hallway is the absolute worst.. we have a big thick blanket pinned with push pins all the way around that one. We even invested in magnetic vent covers to keep cold air from coming through the vents from under our house. We have Hardee Board skirting (which is like a concrete-type of board) and that has helped somewhat.. However, we are at our wits end! Propane up here right now is pushing $5/gallon, our tank is 120 gallons, and with the temps being what they are we could easily go through that in 2 weeks. My dad suggested putting bubble wrap over the windows, he thinks it may work better. I don’t know. Until we can afford to replace our windows and have REAL insulation put in behind these wood panels, we may be up the proverbial creek. :/
Wow! That’s a big one for sure. I also did the plastic over the windows but it didn’t seem to help much.
Yeah but, she most likely didn’t pay him with cash money, if you know what I mean.
So, it becomes very difficult to get a refund. How would she do that?
You’re right about insulation! Even if houses you need to make sure you got insulation. Here in SoCal most homes still have the old single pane windows and no insulation between walls and in the attic. I’ve seen my gas and electric bill double during the winters because of this.
Yeah I am thinking it might be worth it to pay someone to come insulate the ceilings. It will probably save me money in the long run. I just hate having to redo the ceilings twice!
That bill is horrifying! I am wondering which region of the US you are in. Because I am in the New Jersey, where I thought everything was incredibly expensive and it’s been cold. Is there anything that can be done about the ceiling/roof to keep warm air in?
I live in Ohio. One day we get three inches of snow and its 7 degrees the next it’s sunny and 50 degrees out! Weird weather, but for not being cold all the time you wouldn’t think the bill would be that high.
i’m in ohio also, w hen I was unemployed, there is a community action councel out by me they came in and re=bellied the bottom and blew insulation there and the top, we put real doors and windows in ours, I use the smaller oil filled heaters,i have good heat tape,i’m on propane, and its not cheap at all, they really soak you on the price,i’m on the budget its about $102 a month, I use maybe a tank of propane a year, if even that much.
If you use propane you should purchase your own tank and fill up in the summer when the price is low which shouldn’t be a problem if you don’t use a lot of it. One big mistake people make is that they lease the tank from the supplier because then you can’t shop around.
I use freecycle.org to get insulation help etc, so many people in this group are amazing and very helpful, I would sign in to that group and start asking for help and I bet you will find it 🙂
I had never heard of that but thanks for the tip. I am ready to check out everything possible to keep me warm and keep that bill under control.
Wow, that is a killer bill, especially if you weren’t expecting it. We have a pretty well insulated house that uses propane, but before we got on even pay, we had the truck come fill it up when it was empty. You’d get a $500 bill after a fill up. We should have prepared during months when we didn’t need it filled, but we didn’t. Getting on the even pay was a great way to spread it out. I hope that helps balance your payments.
Definitely wasn’t expecting it. I am going to go up and get on the even pay. I just wonder what the even pay bills are going to be? Probably still more than I would like but it will help.
I don’t have any suggestions to add to the ones that have already been offered, but I wanted to say that I’m sorry that you are having to pay a crazy expensive utility bill!
That bill is HARSH! In the UK we have government schemes that help with the cost of insulation because it brings down the carbon footprint. I know Cyrstal touched on that earlier but it might be something to check out.
$487 Electric bill!!! I would be in tears if I had an electric bill that high! Just curious, do you have a heat pump or just an electric furnace?
I have an electric furnace. Is a heat pump better?
Yes a heat pump is better according to my HVAC installer. if the furnace doesn’t have a central air unit, find out if it is compatible with a heat pump.
If the heat pump isn’t an option, consider a pellet stove. You can buy an entire years worth of pellets in the summer when the price is the lowest. Pellets are cheaper than electricity and have more btus then you can use just the fan in the furnace to move the air around and only use the electric strips for backup.
Not in the winter bill goes up and they dont work when it’s in the single numbers
Hi Alexa – I lived in a trailer during college. It was the cheapest place to rent. I had all of the pipes wrapped with heat tape so that I didn’t heat the trailer at all while I was in class. I slept with an electric blanket. I also mounted curtain rods over the doors and hung insulated drapes I bought at goodwill over the doors and windows. It wasn’t attractive but I was looking for warmth!!! Also investigate blown in insulation. If you are going to live in your trailer for a while it will be worth the investment – it will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer! Good luck. Trailer living enabled me to graduate from college with no debt (working and going to school)
Lynn is right about the blown insulation. I have that in my attic and I can tell the difference. Also, see if there are any free weatherization programs in your area. I participated in a free weatherization program sponsored by our local natural gas provider. I keep my heating bills in check by using portable electric heaters in the room that I am in and the bathroom . (I know I’m a bit late commenting but I just now found your blog via Budget and the Beach.)
I actually got a couple Eden Pure heaters which have helped bring the costs down. I try to just run those as much as possible and not the actual furnace. I searched for free weatherization programs and couldn’t find one in my area 🙁
Wow, that is an insane bill and I own an extra-long 1996 mobile home. You really need to check the insulation underneath and in the walls, behind the siding also. Then paint if you can, that helps seal all cracks. I second the door, but make sure all doors, windows, and even outlets are sealed. Add curtains for all the windows to keep the cold out, and wear layers.
I had to redo the insulation underneath my master bedroom, because when I purchased it, I had to move it. Well, let’s just say it wasn’t moved with the greatest of care. Anyway, I purchased the stuff from Home Depot and put it all up myself. It really made a difference. Now all I need to do is upgrade my ducting underneath and possibly get a new heater. Good luck!
That’s really not a huge bill compared to heating a house. Plus your electricity is included.
My old house was 1200 square feet and averaged around $120 a month the highest bills didn’t go over $300. This is a 900 sq ft trailer.
Yeah, I have never heard of anyone’s electric bill in a house being nearly $500.
And I feel your pain. I moved into a trailer because it was a really nice one and the cheapest place to rent in the area I’m in.
During the summer, my electric bill (with two window-unit air conditioners) has never exceeded $60. But my winter bills are atrocious. My bill for November is over $200 and it’s not even Winter yet. I can still go outside in a dress with a sweater every other day (apparently North Carolina and New Jersey are similar in their weird weather).
*Ohio
I’m not sure where I got New Jersey from.
It’s crazy isn’t it! You think you’re moving into a trailer to save money and the heating bill comes! Another bad thing about mine is that it doesn’t stay cool in the summer either.
So did you redo your insulation yet. Just wondering. I was thinking of getting a used trailer and putting it on a friends property but I wanted to see if you solved your insulation dilemma before I took the big plunge.
my trailer is about the same size as yours. when I bought it in September I started ripping out all the old insulation under the trailer. next I tore out the crappy ductwork and installed insulated ductwork.
then I bought r30 unfaced insulation and insulation support rods(weare sealed glasses). I got lucky and found 2″thick foam board that I started putting over the r30 insulation as a 2nddary barrier. (if you go this route you will need to box in your new ductwork because the foam board will crush your flex ductwork)
you can use 2×2 board’s and screw them together dont nail them and if you have time pre drill the screw holes with a 1/8th drillbit for better control.
if you want some pictures of my project so you have an idea of what I didjust let me know.
ps my walls are my next project. I will be expandingthem in the spring when its warm(er) in pa.
Use cool white on your roof, drops the temperature by 10 degrees in summer.
Hi , I have a single wide trailor. First electric bill 316. Put up plastic and taped all holes and cracks I could find. . Thev next bill was 213. Then the last one was 249. I lite tones of candles and was not comfy at all. This summer I’m getting a propane tank installed. And buying a nice pretty propane heater from Amazon for $350. I’ll save in electric bills and be very warm. Next winter.
: )
Have you considered the fact that running an electric heater will cost you a fortune? Your power bill is about where it should be with electric heat.
Even then, they were somewhat concerned with fuel economy, stating that “gasoline consumption, when pulling a trailer, approximates only one mile less per gallon than when the tow car travels alone.” Yeah, I don’t know where they got that statistic either.
hi your biggest mistake was having an electric furnace these are hydro gobblers , 7 finned oil filled radiators would have been a smarter choice
Going to a budget plan is so Wrong.. You may have to deal with winter heating for a couple of months, but on a budget plan you would do away with the $50 summer cost. Do your own budget and save for it.
As far as that high of an electric bill, that’s more what a house or apartment can cost you. Yes I’ve lived in both and a 1980 mobile home is far cheaper on electric that any house or apartment. Not to mention better built. Yes I’ve done what I can myself and the most I can advise no matter the structure is avoid a heat pump. They don’t work in the cold.
While you aren’t too far off base I do advise insulation. Add it yourself, use spray foam if you need to, but insulate.
As far as plastic on the windows goes, maybe in an older house where you have plaster over brick walls, anything else and it’s called using caulk. Fill in those cracks, stop the gaps. The one place you can use plastic is the vent over the stove or the bathroom. Even with a vent that closes you still get a draft in winter.
Above all have a secondary heat source like a kerosene heater and use only 1-K odorless kerosene. Follow all rules and regs and they are safe. Not something an apartment dwell can do so they freeze when the power goes out.
And the cost saving for the most part comes from property taxes, and not having to pay water and sewer. So once owned you save big compared to other.
I was told space heaters running 4 -5 hours a day will add $45 a month plus tax to your electric bill. Running 2 space heaters adds $207 Taxes included over a 2 month period as in Canada we receive our electric bill every 2 months. When I add the cost of the space heaters on this bill it was $850 for 2 months. It makes me sick. Call the energy eff. people they will come to your house and explain what is wrong and how to fix the problem and that is if you can afford to have it fixed.Mobile homes are suppose to be cheaper not bankrupt a person GOOD LUCK!!!
Craziness! I thought space heaters would also help me but it did not help.
When you say “trailer” I’m wondering what you mean – a picture would be helpful? Is this a fifth-wheel, a non-mobile home, ie manufactured home – and of what age? Really curious about the details as I’m considering buying an older non-mobile home. (If you get what I mean – one of those aluminum boxes without wheels.)
Yep, that’s what it was – no wheels, single wide aluminum trailer.
Not in the winter for heat pumps bill goes up and they dont work when it’s in the single numbers