Most mobile home air conditioners are different than the “split system” air conditioners installed in site-built homes. A split system is divided into two parts: an outdoor unit (the condenser) and an indoor unit (the air handler), with refrigerant lines running between them.

   But almost all manufactured home air conditioners combine both parts into one big box, called a “package unit,” which is located next to the skirting, with two large ducts side-by-side running into the crawl space. One duct brings the air to the unit, and the second one returns the heated or cooled air back into the home to be distributed through the supply ducts to each room.

   Although most mobile homes have a package unit like the one shown in the picture above, some have a split system; and, conversely, some site-built homes—especially older homes that are retrofitted for air conditioning—will have a package unit system. 

    Also, see our blog post What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home? 

   To learn more about heating and air conditioning systems, see these other blog posts:

• How can I find out the SEER of my air conditioner? 

• My air conditioner won't turn on. What's wrong? 

• How can I find out the size of my air conditioner? 

• How can I tell whether the condenser (outdoor unit) is an air conditioner or heat pump? 

• Where is the air filter for my central air conditioner and furnace? I can’t find it? 

• Does an old air conditioner use more electricity as it ages? 

• How did homes stay cool in Florida before air conditioning? 

• What is wrong with an air conditioner when the air flow out of the vents is low?

• Why has the thermostat screen gone blank? 

• Why does it take so long to cool a house when an air conditioner has been off for a while? 

• Why is my air conditioner not cooling enough? 

• What are the most common problems with wall/window air conditioners?  

• Will closing doors reduce my heating and cooling costs? 

    Visit our HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING and MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES pages for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.