Basements have certain unique qualities as far as heating is concerned, all of which bear consideration when you’re finishing a basement or adding heating to an existing one. In this blog, local HVAC and chimney repair contractor Hader shares the best ways to heat a basement
Extend Existing Ductwork
While furnaces are usually placed in the basement, the heat radiating from them can’t be controlled in the same way as that which comes through the ductwork. Heat pumps are installed outdoors and don’t emit enough ambient heat to warm up a room. There are other options to heat a basement, which we will look into shortly, but the most cost-effective one—which also happens to require the least amount of work—is extending the existing ductwork to accommodate the basement.It’s important to note that ductwork extension isn’t as simple as installing additional ducts and registers in the basement. Basements are typically several degrees cooler than the rest of the house, therefore they take up a significant portion of overall house heating requirements. An HVAC technician will need to calculate the house’s new heating requirements, make adjustments to the heating system’s output and make sure that other tasks such as duct sealing and installation are done correctly.
Baseboard Heaters
If you’re converting a previously-unused basement into a living space, you should consider baseboard heaters. A typical baseboard heating system is installed hidden in the baseboard, which provides heating to the floor surface. There are two types of baseboard heating systems: electric and hydronic. Electric baseboard heaters are equipped with heating coils, like those found in toasters and hair dryers, but bigger. Hydronic baseboard heaters feature a closed series of tubes that cycle hot water from a water heater. One of its advantages is that it can be hooked up to an existing water heater tank. Baseboard heating presents several advantages over duct-based heating. two of which are that It doesn’t require any changes to the house’s existing HVAC system and it can be operated independently. Since heat tends to rise, baseboard heating systems can provide even heating throughout the basement. It also prevents cold basement floors. While there are other ways to heat your basement, they’re not as effective. Space heaters can only heat a very small area, while a wood stove would need to be properly vented, otherwise it would put you and your family at risk of soot and carbon monoxide inhalation.
Call Hader for Your Heating and Cooling Needs
Hader is your leading provider of HVAC services. We also install roofing and gutters. Give us a call at (513) 661-1910 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Cincinnati and nearby areas.
