Heating and Cooling a Finished Basement

Tips and Tricks to keep your basement at your desired temperature

Heating:
Finding a way to heat a chilly basement may not be the most exciting thing about finishing off an empty space. However, once the rooms are completed, you will not regret thinking it thru when warm and toasty on a cold day!

Zoning your HVAC system is a great solution. Creating zones in your home allows you to regulate the temperature in each zone through the use of dampers to redirect warm and cool air to select parts of your home. A smart thermostat can help to increase the efficiency of your system.

Most basements naturally run cooler than the rest of the house, typically 5 to 15 degrees cooler. If your home is newer, it may be easier to heat because the systems to keep that place warm are already in place, such as the HVAC, ducts, vents, and thermostat. If not, there are still plenty of options to heat the basement rooms.

Add more duct work! This is the easiest and best solution to warming up (and cooling down) that basement! Not only will this help regulate the climate, it will most likely increase the value of your home. Remember to consult a professional at Schneider Heating and Cooling to get the job done right.

If you are not interested in increasing the duct work in your basement, a simple fix may be a pellet stove or a fireplace. Both offer an efficient way to heat the space, and you can select one that fits your style. Just remember some stoves or fireplaces may need to tap into existing vents or may need entire venting systems put into place. Don’t forget to add those expenses into your final budget.

If none of these fixes sound appealing, but what about adding a free-standing heater or a baseboard heater? This could be the solution for you. Free standing space heaters require no installation; you just plug them in! Baseboard heaters are fixtures attached to the base of the wall. They are also quick to install. Be cautious with these options. They can be hot to the touch and ignite things on fire if not properly placed.

Some other helpful hints to keep the temperature right in your basement:
1) Insulate the walls, duct work, and plumbing.
2} Seal the floors and any spaces that have the potential for a draft.
3) Use insulated curtains.

Cooling:
Most basements run on the cool side. However, some can be stuffy and warm, depending on the climate and the way the home was built. The easiest way to cool down a basement is to install an air conditioning unit. A professional at Schneider’s could install a cold air return vent in the basement. Another way to get air conditioning without installing an entire unit is to use window units. These are efficient and cost significantly less. When all else fails, a fan may do the trick! Having a ceiling fan installed or using a free-standing fan may be enough air circulation to cool down a room.

Schneider Heating & Air Conditioning is the leader in heating, cooling, ventilation, and air quality products and services in the La Crosse area. We have been serving the Coulee Region for more than 80 years. Our technicians are highly and continually trained utilizing the most sophisticated HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technologies and equipment. All of our service technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified—the largest non-profit certification organization that is governed, owned, operated, developed, and supported by the HVAC industry. At Schneider Heating & Air Conditioning, we pride ourselves on amazing customer service. Contact us today.