Not every remodeled basement will require a heating system. Often a portable electric heater or two will do the job, especially in temperate regions and when care has been taken to insulate and air-seal foundation walls. For basements in cold climates, however, there are several ways to heat a finished basement.
Do I really need a dehumidifier in my basement?
While a dehumidifier in the basement may indirectly help the rest of the house, you are only taking care of the humidity in the basement. To take care of the rest of the house, you need to install an expensive non-portable whole-house dehumidifier.
What is the best heater for a basement?
There are three common types:
- Fan-forced space heaters – the way they work is pushing heat into a room using a fan
- Radiant space heaters – which use gas or propane to warm people or objects in a room
- Convection space heaters – which heat up the air inside a room instead of warming people or objects. It’s best for an insulated room.
Should I insulate when I remodel my basement?
• Most new building codes require a R-11 insulation or better in your walls when you remodel the basement, including Michigan. • It will make a difference in how warm your basement stays, but be warned, MOST cold basements are due to lack of heat supply not heat loss.
Should you heat your basement in winter?
Three Reasons To Heat Your Basement In The Winter
- Better Comfort Throughout Your Home. Even if you don’t spend a lot of time in the basement, keeping it warm will make a difference in other parts of the house ...
- Increased Energy Efficiency. Of course, adding more heat to your home costs more money. ...
- Reduce The Chance Of Mold And Mildew. ...
How do you heat a finished basement?
Top 10 Basement Heating Options to Keep You Warm & Cozy in Freezing WinterGo Ductless. ... Heat the Floor. ... Extend Your Existing Ductwork. ... Use Electric Space Heaters for Your Basement. ... Use a Baseboard. ... Keep It Moving With a Portable Heat Pump. ... Use Basement Wall Heaters. ... Go For a Stove Option.More items...•
What temperature should I keep my finished basement in the winter?
Unfinished basements can be 55-60 °F, while finished basements might need to with the range of 68-76 °F. The optimal temperature for energy-saving in winter is 68 °F. The winter temperature for a basement depends on temperature goals, the use of the room, and whether it is finished.
What temperature should you keep your finished basement at?
Best Temperature to Set Your Basement In the summer your basement will probably stay cooler than the rest of the house, but keeping it at 80 F or lower will help suppress humidity and mildew. Ideal Basement Temp: 55 F to 60 F in winter; less than 80 F in summer.
How do you heat and cool a finished basement?
Invest in Ductless Air Conditioners Ductless mini-split systems are another common solution for heating and cooling finished basements. These units are generally small heat pumps with enough capacity to heat and cool. They are ideal options for basements that aren't connected to central heating and cooling systems.
Does heating your basement keep your house warmer?
It's looking at the heating bill! You should heat your unfinished basement. If you have cold floors, then insulating the basement ceiling will help the most. Once insulated, heating an unfinished basement will help warm your whole home.
Why is my finished basement cold?
Basements tend to be damper than other places in your house. This is often caused by water seeping through the concrete foundation, rising from a dirt floor or simply because of poor ventilation. This higher level of moisture in the air will end up making you feel much colder than the ambient air temperature.
How do I keep my basement warm in the winter?
How to Keep Your Basement Warm During the WinterHave Plenty of Insulation.Seal Cracks and Gaps.Install Carpet or Use Rugs.Watch Your Thermostat.Turn On a Space Heater.Maintain the Right Humidity Level.Keep Your Furnace in Working Condition.
What temperature is too cold for a house?
Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases.
How much does it cost to add heat to a basement?
If you want to condition a 2,000 square foot space, you would need an HVAC of 12,000 BTU. This would cost between $2,945 and $4,897 to install. An HVAC with a BTU of 24,000 costs around $2,620, and you can expect to pay $2,895 for an HVAC of 30,000 BTU.
What is the cheapest way to heat a basement?
Space heaters This is the cheapest option for heating your basement, but it's ideal for smaller spaces. Some people are also wary of space heaters, particularly if there are small children in the house. Many areas on the heater get incredibly hot and can easily burn the skin if touched.
Should I heat or cool a basement?
In short, you should indeed heat your basement in cool and cold climate areas. Whether or not you use your basement isn't the question. While heating a space that isn't often used may seem like a waste, there are important facts to consider.
How do I keep my basement warm in the winter?
How to Keep Your Basement Warm During the WinterHave Plenty of Insulation.Seal Cracks and Gaps.Install Carpet or Use Rugs.Watch Your Thermostat.Turn On a Space Heater.Maintain the Right Humidity Level.Keep Your Furnace in Working Condition.
Do you need dehumidifier in basement in winter?
As you debate whether or not to use a dehumidifier in winter, you should always watch the humidity levels in your home. If your relative humidity levels stay high, it might be a good idea to run your device. In fact, if your humidity levels remain above 50 percent, your room will benefit from a basement dehumidifier.
Will my basement freeze?
In attic floors, above the insulation, you are asking for trouble. Pipes in an unheated basement are usually safe from freezing because basement temperatures rarely go below 40, even in the coldest of winters, and sometimes when the heat goes off.
Should basement door be open or closed in winter?
If your basement door is partially or not insulated at all, then you should keep the basement door closed in the winter. Uninsulated basements tend to be very cold in the winter months. Cold air will rise from the basement to the upper floors of the house.
Installing Additional Ductwork in Your Basement for Heating
If you are simply extending your existing HVAC system to the basement, the first thing you will need is ductwork and vents for the basement. Ductwork connecting the HVAC to the basement along with vents and air returns will prepare the basement to receive air from the heater or air conditioner.
Installing a Small Split HVAC System
If you want to heat your basement separately and do not want to go through the trouble of adding ductwork or an additional furnace, you could opt for a split basement HVAC unit instead. This works great if your basement is at or above ground level on at least one side.
Installing Electrically Heated Baseboards for Basement Heating
Another permanent solution to how to heat a finished basement could also be installing heated baseboards. These boards are heated by electricity and are an economical option too. Each baseboard heater will have its own control panel, and you can independently control the temperature of your basement.
Why is my basement so cold?
Poor insulation: Basements tend to be a naturally cold place in your home because they are typically made with concrete and very often have no insulation to prevent heat loss (foam insulation or otherwise).
Why reform a basement?
When reforming a basement you have more options and ways to heat it, because you will have the benefit of forward planning. That allows you to take full advantage of all the basement and home heating systems that are available such as a gas or electric baseboard heater system.
What is underfloor radiant heating?
Underfloor radiant heaters use electric resistance cables to produce heat. The most popular style of this basement heating solution features cables embedded in thin mats.
What is the best heater for a basement?
Oil filled radiator heaters are a great way to keep a damp and cold basement dry and warm without incurring too much extra cost. The size, in square feet, of your basement space or room will dictate the size of the heater that is going to be best for you.
What type of propane is used in a basement?
This option for heating a basement uses liquid propane (LP) to fuel the heat.
Why is my basement heating system cranking up?
When cold air in your basement rises to the level of your water lines and ducts, you may find yourself cranking up your heating system, especially if your ducts are not completely sealed and are drawing the colder outdoor air in .
How does an infrared heater work?
Just as the sun emits rays that warm the earth and anything in the shade is cooler, the electric radiant infrared heater works the same way warming the objects that are directly in line with its rays, i.e the basement floor, furniture, and of course people.
What is the average dew point in a basement?
Even during the most-humid months (in absolute terms, not relative humidity) the outdoor dew point average are below 55F, (which is approximately the deep subsoil temperature in the region). Most of the year the outdoor dew points are 40F or cooler, and even the coldest unvented basements don't average much below 50F in winter, or much below 60F in summer.
Does a basement smell?
Unless there is chronic bulk water leakage or the water table is only an inch below the slab most basements in the Pacific northwest don't get moldy or develop the "musty basement" smell. Even a modest amount of ventilation from outdoor air or fully conditioned air will usually take care of those basements that do run higher than typical humidity.
Do you need a dehumidifier in a basement in the PNW?
Dehumidifiers not needed in PNW basements @ Jeremy (&Peter Yost)
Do I Really Need to Heat the Basement?
This section of above-grade basement wall is uninsulated. Air-sealing and adding insulation will make the basement more comfortable.
What is the best way to treat a basement?
Work with a heating and cooling professional to find a dehumidifier that is appropriate for treating your basement area. Basement bathrooms and kitchen spaces should be equipped with exhaust fans to expel excess moisture.
What is an unfinished basement?
Unfinished basements typically house furnaces, air handlers, and other HVAC components. When designing a floorplan for your finished basement, you’ll want to develop a way to enclose your appliances for aesthetic and functional reasons, without closing them off entirely. Many finished basements incorporate a utility or mechanical room to conceal this equipment from the new living areas.
How to determine the size of your heating and cooling system?
To determine the size of your existing heating and air conditioning equipment, in many cases, you can look to the system’s model number.
Can you run ductwork in an unfinished basement?
Unfinished basements typically are not conditioned, which means no ductwork would be ran to basement areas supplying heating or cooling. Your building office may require detailed drawings which show where existing equipment, supply, and return ducts are located as well as where new duct runs, registers, and other duct system components will be installed.
Can a dehumidifier cause moisture in a basement?
Simply installing a dehumidifier isn’t the solution – on its own, a dehumidifier could actually cause moisture problems in a finished basement, pulling moisture through basement walls. As you finish your basement, be sure to incorporate proper drainage and waterproofing measures to keep moisture out of your underground living areas while also preventing mold growth.
Do you have to ventilate a gas furnace?
Because you will be creating a confined space which houses a gas furnace and possibly other gas appliances, the enclosure must be properly ventilated per gas code requirements. The amount of cubic feet needed to properly vent your furnace will depend on the BTU output of the appliance, as defined in the National Fuel Gas Code.
Can you relax in a basement?
Finishing your basement can give your family the increased square footage needed to enjoy certain activities and relax… but no one will be relaxing comfortably in your basement if your heating and air conditioning systems were overlooked during the remodeling process.
What is a Finished Basement?
So, what constitutes as a finished basement? A basement is finished when the entire level is complete and similar to the upstairs living areas. It generally includes an electrical system, heat, finished floors, an accessible entrance/stairway, level ceilings, and finished walls. If there is a bedroom designated in the space, it should have a closet and egress window in order to count as a bedroom.
What is needed to finish a basement?
In order for a basement to be considered finished, it must have a permanently installed heating and cooling unit with a continuous power source (such as an HVAC system, electricity, natural gas, a permanently installed propane tank, or heating oil).
How do you know if a basement is finished?
A great way to determine if a basement is a finished basement is whether or not it’s heated and cooled with the same system as the rest of the house . If the basement uses a window AC unit or a swamp cooler to cool it down and a wall heater to warm it up, then it’s not finished.
Is a basement considered a living area?
A finished basement must be directly accessible and contiguous with the rest of the house. If the space doesn’t have permanent stairs or direct access then it isn’t considered a finished living area. Finished spaces only accessed by ladders, such as lofts, are also not considered living areas.
Can you access a basement through a basement door?
Most houses have interior stairs, but in older homes it’s common that the basement is accessed through a basement level door. Even though the basement may be finished, if the only way to access it is through an exterior, basement level door, it may still be ranked as unfinished.
Is a basement floor finished?
Does the basement have concrete walls and floors, but the rest of the house has carpet, vinyl, wood, tile, etc.? This is a sure sign that it’s not finished. The floors must be completely covered with an installed cover. Exposed or painted concrete or plywood is not considered a finished floor.
Does the value of a house increase when the basement is finished?
This is a question that comes up for a lot of people due to the fact that the property value of a house increases significantly when the basement is finished. There are many homeowners that have a semi-finished area in their basement that’s used as a bedroom, recreation room, or another amenity. Because the room is being used as a livable space, ...
Is a wet base boiler more efficient than a gas boiler?
Also, I'd consider replacing that boiler. It's not that efficient- I've never seen an old Hydro-Therm that could exceed 70% combustion efficiency or so. If a mod-con isn't the answer in your house, a wet-base boiler that can fire with gas or oil will be more efficient than a standard gas boiler, and could switch fuels if the gas utility gets too greedy.
Can you insulate a wall outside?
It's those cold, massive walls that tend to change temperature very gradually that cause the problem. When exterior insulation is impossible (nearly every renovation and not even a simple detail in most new construction). What seemed to be the "best" method I saw was metal studs, rigid insulation and finshed wall on the outside of the studs and continuous ventilation slots very near and along the bottoms and tops of the walls. This gives insulation only to the finished wall itself while still allowing natural ventilation in the gap behind.
What is the first step to a basement?
Basement living space requires emergency escape and rescue openings. Your first step is to check local building codes. Your code authority may have authored its own rules or it may be among the more than 90 percent of communities in the United States that adopt the standards of the International Code Council (ICC).
What spaces require emergency exits?
While that does not include spaces like bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage spaces, or utility spaces, it does include offices, recreation rooms, bedrooms, and home theaters. There are some fine points. For example, a basement that has no bedroom but has an office would need an emergency exit for the office. But, says Nard, “Say you have a basement bedroom and an office which is not in the bedroom. How many emergency egress and rescue openings do you need? Answer: One, but it has to be in the sleeping room.”
What is a buck in a basement window?
Here are the basics of a typical basement egress window system: A “buck,” poured into the wall during new construction, creates a frame in the foundation wall. A window well keeps the earth away from the basement window. It can be bolted to a buck or, if a remodel, to the foundation wall.
How high should a window well be?
A sill height no higher than 44 inches above the floor. A window-well floor space of 9 square feet with minimum dimensions of 36 inches wide and long. A permanent ladder or steps if the window well depth is more than 44 inches. Homeowners may come up with all sorts of reasons why they don’t think they need an egress.
Can basement windows be coded?
A basement window can be of any style that meets code requirements .
Do you need to check the codes before remodeling a basement?
Before you begin your remodeling, however, you’ll need to check local codes for safety exits or egress.
Can a basement have an office but no bedroom?
There are some fine points. For example, a basement that has no bedroom but has an office would need an emergency exit for the office. But, says Nard, “Say you have a basement bedroom and an office which is not in the bedroom.