Is there a difference between a mobile home water heater and a regular water heater?
Yes. Mobile homes, also known as manufactured homes, are required to comply with the rules laid down by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mobile homes are plumbed for specific water heaters and they can be quite complicated to replace. Consequently, the cost of a mobile home water heater is significantly more.
Mobile home water heaters are different than regular water heaters in three main ways:
Mobile home water heaters have interchangeable gas and propane orifices so that the water heater can be converted from natural gas to propane gas operation. This is the main reason for the increased cost.
Mobile home water heaters have the cold water inlet connection on the side and the hot water outlet connection on top. Residential water heaters have all connections on the top of the tank.
A mobile home heater comes with a securing strap kit
Can I install a regular water heater in my mobile home?
No. Mobile home water heaters will have a H.U.D. safety approval. Anything else used for a mobile home is against the law, will void the manufacturer’s warranty, and will nullify your insurance coverage. Look for a replacement water heater that is made specifically for mobile homes.
According to HUD’s Homeowners’ Center, all manufactured homes must have water heaters with a non-adjustable temperature and a pressure-relief valve, The water heater installed must comply with the local building codes of the state in which it is located and must be owned by the homeowner, as rental water heaters are not accepted. Standard water heaters are generally not HUD-approved because of the square intake vent at the base, which is not completely sealed.
