Basements are always cooler than the rest of the home as they tend to maintain excess moisture causing the air to feel damp and cool. Whether you have a finished basement, partially finished, or unfinished basement, it is imperative to ensure the temperatures in that additional space are as warm and toasty as the rest of your home. If you are having challenges keeping your basement warm, there are numerous, reliable heating options available. However, before selecting an ideal heating option for your basement, it is essential to identify your actual needs, as this will give a clear picture of what will work for you and your entire family. For instance, how much time do you spend in your basement? Are there other rooms in your basement, such as bedrooms or bathrooms?
Having answers to such fundamental questions will help you figure out the perfect heat source options available for your basement. At Reliable Air Conditioning, we can give you recommendations for the heating options that will work best for your situation. We are an honest and reliable heating and air conditioning company based in Mesa, AZ. Our team has the extensive industry knowledge to handle all your indoor comfort needs. Below are some of the different heating options to heat your basement.
1. Add Registers to Heat Your Basement
A register is an essential component of the HVAC system. Registers are grates put over ventilation openings and equipped with moving parts that can open and close to allow air circulation. Usually, registers are situated closer to the windows or doors, where most of the heat is lost. Due to increased cold in the basement, it is vital to maintain a constant temperature by having an additional register placed on the floor to provide hot air. To enhance their efficiency, ensure they are not blocked by furniture or put behind the curtains. Floor registers have powerful grilles where people can walk on without damaging the grille. Since registers are added where there is already ductwork in place, you can contact Reliable Air Conditioning to install ducts in your home if you don’t have ductwork in place.
2. Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is an incredible way to heat your basement. It is comfortable, cost-effective, and easy to implement. There are two various types of radiant floor heating that you can use in your basement.
a. Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating
A quiet, affordable, and energy-efficient, hydronic radiant floor heating system is the ultimate in comfy warmth. This type of heating uses heated water flowing via cross-linked polyethylene such as a boiler or water heater to pump hot water through the tubing. The tubes have complete lengths which can easily go through the basement. Usually, the hydronic heating system is installed during the construction stage of the house. If you want to heat your basement, but your home lacks the hydronic radiant heating system, consider hiring professionals to install them for you. Also, larger rooms such as the basement require a separate water heater for efficient heating. At Reliable Air Conditioning, we can install the hydronic radiant heating system and a water heater at an affordable cost.
b. Electric Radiant Floor Heating
Electric radiant heating applies the same concept as hydronic radiant floor heating. However, with this type of radiant floor heating, an electric heating coil is used instead of a PEX tube to go through the basement. Also, it uses a radiation process to heat the floor instead of hot water. With electric radiant floor heating, your basement will conserve heat for an extended period compared to hydronic radiant floor heating.
3. Use Existing HVAC and Extend Ductwork
No home is constructed without an internal heating system. Usually, the HVAC is fitted with ducts that offer airflow from the system to the rest of your home. If ductwork was not done in your basement area, new extensions can be added to introduce a heat source to your basement area. Since you are introducing additional ductwork to your HVAC system, installation must be done by professionals to ensure the system is not overburdened and to leverage the benefits of duct extension. Also, since circulating heat via numerous feet of extra ductwork requires additional power that surpasses the existing HVAC’s strength, it is imperative to hire professionals to carry out the task. At Reliable Air Conditioning, we can help you assess your equipment and the additional demands that will rise depending on your basement’s current layout, duct measurements, and insulation.
4. Add a Basement Fireplace
Having a fireplace in your home is an enviable perk. They not only offer an aesthetic value to a home but also warmth and vibrance. Therefore, adding a fireplace can be an incredible way to heat your new space if you have an existing chimney in your basement area. There are several types of fireplaces that you can install, such as natural gas, wood pellets, and electricity. If you choose wood-burning or natural gas, the most secure and efficient option for the fireplace would be a direct vent system instead of a chimney to prevent carbon monoxide accumulation. If you are looking for an economical, time-saving fireplace that offers convenience, you could settle for an infrared fireplace.
5. Use a “Vented Stand-Alone System”
With a stand-alone heating system, you don’t need to add to the existing HVAC system. Instead, you can invest in something like a pellet stove. A pellet stove can heat more than 1,750 square feet, which is sufficient to heat the entire basement area. One significant advantage of a pellet stove is that it is equipped with an auto–pellet feeder system, which doesn’t require close monitoring. A pellet stove is cost-effective and reliable too.
6. Use a Baseboard Heater
Baseboard heaters are fixed along the floor of the basement area. They have heaters equipped with a thermostat to regulate the heat. They create an ideal heating solution for your basement area as they offer permanent spot heating and do not require extra ductwork. They are less expensive, require minimal space, are quiet since they do not use fans, are safe, and need zero bureaucracies during installation.
7. Floor Insulation
Floor insulation is an incredible way to help you conserve heat in your basement area. There are two types of floor insulation: DRIcore and rigid foam insulation.
DRIcore, is distinctively created for basements. It is one of the incredible ways to keep moisture away and insulate your finished floor. DRIcore can be bought in square panels and applied beneath the finished floor. Since various finishing options are available, it is essential to select one that incorporates your basement’s functions and style.
Consider installing rigid foam insulation if you only want to heat your basement where water problems are involved. The rigid foam insulation is usually fixed between sleepers and enclosed with plywood before setting your final floor.
Summing Up
Do not wait for a frigid winter day to look for heating options for your basement. Find the most economical and reliable heat sources to learn more about before you make a purchase.
At Reliable Air Conditioning, we understand the climate in Mesa, AZ, and we can offer guidance on how to keep your basement warm and toasty. We’re the team you can trust for reliable, lasting, and satisfaction-guaranteed heating, cooling, and plumbing services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your indoor comfort needs. We also offer AC installation, AC repair, AC tune-up, among other services.
