Your basement can serve as storage, a rec room, a man cave, a living space, or even an Airbnb. You want your basement to be as comfortable as possible. With so many heating options available, what is the best way to keep your basement warm and cozy?
Factors to Consider When Finding the Best Way to Heat a Basement
You don’t want your electric bill to skyrocket because you’re using an electric heater. Nor do you need the added expense of a basement heating unit with a higher output than what you need. You need a way to keep your finished or unfinished basement warm in the most cost-effective manner.
You could invest in a complete heating system. You could install a fireplace. These are expensive options that might be better suited for a home remodel. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, it’s best to get a professional to install it. You will know that your heating system will keep your home warm and safe.
Infrared Space Heater
You might feel nervous when you hear the term “infrared heater.” Infrared heating has been associated with negative things. However, infrared heating is safe and effective for residential use.
An infrared heater will heat your basement similarly to how the sun heats the earth. You cannot see infrared rays because the spectrum is beyond the limit of human eyes. However, your skin, clothing, furniture, and carpet can absorb the warmth of infrared rays. UV rays, not infrared rays, are not good for health.
Infrared heating units emit a condensed beam of infrared light. Similarly, the sun can only heat items in its immediate path, so infrared heaters can only warm objects in areas directly in front of them.
Using an infrared heater in your basement means providing quick and instant heat. The infrared heater scatters infrared rays that warm the things it touches by distributing a steady stream of heat particles. If you turn on an infrared heater in your basement during a cold winter day, you won’t have to wait long for things to warm up.
Infrared heaters provide zone heating. It targets objects and warms them up instead of warming up the surrounding air, which is done by a conventional space heater or electric fireplace. Infrared heaters are environmentally friendly, do not dry out the air, are cost-efficient, and require minimal maintenance.
Oil-Filled Radiators
An oil-filled radiator uses convection heating. It maintains a steady temperature throughout an area without drying out the air. This means that it will slowly yet steadily raise the temperature of the entire basement.
Convection heating is a healthy and safe form of heating. If your basement is insulated, convection heating could be the best heating option.
As soon as the oil is warm inside the unit, the thermal energy will transmit heat throughout the basement. Most heaters of this style have adjustable thermostats that will automatically activate and deactivate the unit once the desired temperature is met.
An oil-filled radiator heater can keep a damp basement warm and dry without being expensive. You will have to determine the size of the heater that is best for you, based on the dimensions of your basement.
These units can be mounted to the wall, or they can be freestanding. They don’t require installation. Just plug them in and turn them on. Since they don’t require much maintenance, convection heaters of this type are perfect for finished and unfinished basements.
Forced Air Heater
A forced-air heating system will use natural gas, which is one of the most cost-efficient heating substances. Natural gas is clean for the environment. Advances in heating technology mean that forced aired systems offer a higher level of efficiency for your basement.
A forced-air system will not only keep your basement warm, but you can use it to keep your entire house warm during the winter months. This is one of the reasons why forced air heating makes a lot of sense for homeowners. It’s an affordable, sensible, practical, and comprehensive solution.
In-floor radiant heating requires you to tear apart your floors. However, forced air heating works using the systems you already have installed in your house. For example, if you have ductwork for air conditioning, the in-floor heating system will use the same ductwork to heat your basement. This makes the installation process minimal.
A forced-air heating system for your basement is reliable and cost-effective. Heating systems that use pumps or electricity have a higher chance of breaking down on you when compared to forced-air heating systems.
This is due in part to the fact that your ductwork has few moving parts. This gives you peace of mind because you will know that when you need it to work the most, your basement heating system will kick in.
Baseboard Heater
Baseboard heating may be a good fit for your basement. Electric baseboard heating does not need ductwork like a forced aired system. This makes it an excellent option for heating basements in older homes that would otherwise need to be refitted.
Baseboard heaters operate quietly. They won’t negatively impact your sleep with a big noisy blast of air. Baseboard heating is a good source of heating for a single room. It’s easy to install. Plus, the installation cost is a lot less expensive than other types of heating systems.
Unlike complicated HVAC systems, you can clean baseboard heating with a vacuum. It also offers longevity as it can last for more than two decades.
Under-Floor Radiant Heating
Walking on a cold basement floor feels terrible. Floor radiant heating can solve that problem. One of the biggest pluses of floor heating systems is that they uniformly heat the room and the floor.
Forced air systems will distribute warm air through vents. The locations of the vents determine which parts of the room are the warmest. However, since radiant floor heating heats the entire floor, every part of the room, including the ambient temperature around your body, is warm. You won’t feel cold drafts.
Electric floor heating systems don’t need maintenance. They are quiet, energy-efficient, and nonallergic. Professionals can easily install floor heating systems.
Heat Your Basement and Keep Your House Warmer
Did you know that a cold basement means a cold first level in your home? If your basement is cold, that air rises and makes the floor on the first level cold. This causes you to have cold feet and legs. By simply heating your basement, you will have natural radiant floor heat on the first level as a bonus.
Are you ready to feel more comfortable in your home? At Express Home Services, we have been helping our clients improve their home’s comfort by offering state-of-the-art heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and ventilation systems. Whether you want to install a fireplace, smart thermostats, or zoning systems, we are the team to contact in Bountiful, UT, or Las Vegas, NV.
Call us today to learn more! Express Home Services is made up of an experienced team of NIC certified and NATE-certified installers and technicians who stand ready to help you improve your indoor comfort.
