What Size Air Conditioner for A Mobile Home (with Calculator)

Mobile home AC size is 1.5 to 3.5 tons based on the square footage of the manufactured home.

This page has mobile home AC sizes for all common home sizes. It includes an easy-reference chart and a mobile home central air size calculator. Let’s get started.

What Size Air Conditioner for Common Mobile Home Sizes

This chart shows the right AC size for mobile homes of the most common sizes. Note that:

  • 14’ wide mobile homes are single-wide homes.
  • 24’ and 28’ wide mobile homes are double-wide homes. 

What Size Air Conditioner for Common Mobile Home Sizes

Mobile Home SizeAC Unit Size  for Hot ClimateAC Unit Size  for Warm ClimateAC Unit Size  for Moderate Climate
14×601.5 Ton1.5 Ton1.5 Ton
14×702.0 Ton1.5 Ton1.5 Ton
16×802.5 Ton2.0 Ton2.0 Ton
24×602.5 Ton2.0 Ton2.0 Ton
24×703.0 Ton2.5 Ton2.0 Ton
26×603.0 Ton3.0 Ton2.5 Ton
26×703.5 Ton3.0 Ton2.5 Ton
24×803.5 Ton3.5 Ton3.0 Ton
28×703.5 Ton3.5 Ton3.0 Ton

What size air conditioner for a 14×70 mobile home?

The right size central air conditioner for a 14×70 mobile home is 1.5 or 2.0 tons based on its climate. The warmer the climate, the larger the AC needed.

What size air conditioner for a single wide mobile home?

A single wide mobile home needs a 1.5 ton AC.

What size air conditioner for a double wide mobile home?

Double wide manufactured homes need an air conditioner from 2.0 tons to 3.5 tons based on the size of the home and the climate.

The most popular AC size for a double wide is a 3.0 ton central air conditioner.

What Size AC For Mobile Home by Square Feet

Another way to properly size a central air conditioner for a mobile home is by the number of interior square feet.

Mobile Home AC Size by Square Feet

Mobile Home SizeAC Unit Size  for Hot ClimateAC Unit Size  for Warm ClimateAC Unit Size  for Moderate Climate
500 sq ft1.5 Ton1.5 Ton1.5 Ton
700 sq ft1.5 Ton1.5 Ton1.5 Ton
1000 sq ft2 Ton1.5 Ton1.5 Ton
1200 sq ft2.5 Ton2 Ton2 Ton
1600 sq ft3 Ton2.5 Ton2.5 Ton
2000 sq ft4 Ton3.5 Ton3.5 Ton

What size air conditioner for a 1,200 square foot mobile home?

In a warm climate, a 1,200 square foot mobile home needs a 2.5 ton AC. In milder climates, a 2.0 ton central air conditioner is the right size.

What size AC for a 1,600 square foot double wide trailer?

A trailer or mobile home that is 1,600 square feet needs a 2.5 ton air conditioner in mild and warm climates and a 3.0 ton AC in hot climates.

What size air conditioner for a 2000 square foot manufactured home?

A 3.5 ton AC is right for a large manufactured home in cool to warm climates. Where summers are hot, you need a 4.0 ton air conditioner. 

Mobile Home AC Size Calculator

This manufactured home AC sizing calculator has 4 steps to finding the right size AC for a mobile home – your home.

Mobile Home AC Size Calculator

What air conditioner size for a 16×60 mobile home?

The calculator yields these results: In a warm or hot climate, you need up to 28,800 BTUs of cooling power, so choose a 2.5 ton AC. If your climate is mild, a 1.5 ton or 2.0 ton central air conditioner will be enough.

OK, now you know the number of BTUs needed to keep your home cool and dehumidified in warm summer weather.

AC BTUs to Tons

BTUs NeededCentral AC Size
Up to 18,0001.5 Ton
18,000 to 24,0002.0 Ton
24,000 to 32,0002.5 Ton
32,000 to 36,0003.0 Ton
36,000 to 42,0003.5 Ton
42,000 to 48,0004.0 Ton
48,000 to 60,0005.0 Ton

Mobile Home Air Conditioner Types

What kind of ACs are used in mobile homes?

Your options are package systems, standard split system central air conditioners, mini split ACs and room air conditioners (window air conditioners and portable ACs).

Here is more information about each including pros and cons.

Split System Central Air Conditioning

Split system air conditioners are very common. The condensing unit sits outside, and a coil is installed inside your home’s furnace.

Pros: Reasonably priced for central AC, and some are quite efficient – more than 16 SEER or 15 SEER2. They use the home’s furnace as an air handler to push the air and the ductwork to distribute the cooled air. They do a good job removing excess humidity better than other AC types.

Cons: Some mobile homes do not have return air ducts – only supply ducts. Sometimes this limits airflow and the air doesn’t circulate well to the furthest parts of the home. As a result, rooms distant from the air handler can be significantly warmer in summer than rooms closer to it. Finally, there is no ability to zone the cooling – have it on in some areas of the home and off in others.

Package System Central air Conditioning

These units are also popular for mobile homes.

A package HVAC system contains equipment for both air conditioning and heating. It could be a heat pump that supplies both or a combination gas furnace and air conditioner. These units are a good choice if your manufactured home is being built and you’re choosing an HVAC system for it.

Pros: The biggest plus is that all the equipment is outside. There’s no furnace or air handler taking up valuable indoor space. Package systems are also competitively priced with standard and mini split systems. Since the equipment isn’t inside, except for the ductwork, you won’t hear them run.

Cons: They are not as efficient as either type of split system. Also, all the equipment is outdoors, subject to the elements, so that package units don’t last as long as standard split and mini split systems.

Mini Split Air Conditioning

A mini split central air conditioner is a ductless system, so it can be ideal for a mobile home. If the floorplan is fairly open, then a single zone might be usable. When some rooms like a large bedroom often have a door closed, then a 2-zone or 3-zone system is a better option.

Pros: More efficient than standard split air conditioning and window air conditioners. And the outdoor units are quieter. DIY brands like Mr Cool / MrCool and Klimaire can be installed without the need to hire a licensed HVAC technician. They are precharged with refrigerant and ready to use once installed. While you can’t zone a single zone system, if you have more than one indoor unit, you can run just one of them if you’re only using that area of the home.

Cons: Most major mini split brands including LG, Mitsubishi, Daikin and Fujitsu do not have DIY options. The installation cost for a dual zone or 3 zone system is higher than installation cost for a standard split air conditioner. The refrigerant lines cannot be shortened, so they have to be looped and tucked out of the way when possible.

Room Air Conditioners

Window air conditioners are widely used in manufactured homes. Portable ACs might also serve a purpose for you.

Window ACs

Pros: They’re affordable compared to central air systems. And if you have units for several different windows, you can effectively zone your home – using AC only in the areas occupied at the time.

Cons: Window air conditioners are not as energy efficient as central AC systems, though Energy Star certified models are available. And they are louder. Plus, you have to put them into the windows and take them out regularly. They can be a security issue because they leave your home vulnerable to entry through the window in which it is installed.

Portable ACs

Pros: You can pull the unit near you – they have hoses from 4’ to 6’ in length. Most are now self-evaporating, which means you rarely if ever have to empty a tank. Caster wheels on portable air conditioners make them easy to move. Their window kits aren’t very difficult to install, so moving the entire setup from room to room isn’t a major hassle.

Cons: They are the least energy efficient option by far. Because of this and because they cost more than window air conditioners, they are not a good value for the money. 

Local Quotes For Air Conditioner Isntallation for Mobile Homes

If you haven’t found a qualified installer for your air conditioner, using our free quote tool can help you get at least 3 local quotes in a few minutes. It is a convenient and efficient way to find prescreened contractors.

Written by

Rene has worked 10 years in the HVAC field and now is the Senior Comfort Specialist for PICKHVAC. He holds an HVAC associate degree and EPA & R-410A Certifications.
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