Basements can be used for a lot more than just storing old junk you can’t be bothered to throw away. They can be used for home gyms, games rooms and even as a living room. So you will obviously want to be warm and comfortable when the weather gets colder outside. Basements can be naturally cold places so installing a basement heating system is essential.
What is The Best Way to Heat a Basement?
This is a very difficult question to answer simply because you have many basement heating options. One way is the install a fireplace if this is suitable. However if you don’t already have a functional chimney flue then installing one can be expensive and difficult. You then have the option of using a portable heater such as an electric heater, ceramic heater, fan heater, baseboard heater or propane space heater.
Electric heaters which are heavy duty are ideal for larger basements and they can easily heat the room to a toasty 100F. They are very economical and easy to use. Inside the heater is an element which heats the oil that then heats the air in your basement. Because there aren’t any elements exposed you don’t have to worry about the safety aspects if your child or pet touched it.
Ceramic heaters have a fan inside which pushes hot air created by a ceramic heating element. For larger areas you can buy a ceramic heater which has two heating elements and a grill which oscillates. They also come with other features such as an air filter, temperature sensor, tip-over switch and anti-freezing.
Baseboard heaters have heating elements in them that warms air when it passes through. Cold air is pulled down and heated whilst warm air rises up. They don’t take up very much space and don’t need any ductwork. They are very simple and easy to install and work well in many types of basement.
If you have a small basement of about 300 square feet, a propane gas heater can work very well. The good thing about them is that they don’t require ductwork or electrical installation.
Underfloor heating has also gained popularity in recent years because it gives a constant and even heat throughout the room. Instead of the heat coming just from just one part of the room, the heat comes through the floor and radiates throughout the room. It also doesn’t make any sound so is ideal if you are looking to turn your basement into a quiet retreat. It also helps give your room a more minimal look simply because you cannot see it, which means you can dispense with bulky ugly heaters. The only real downside of radiant floor heating is the expense and hassle of having it installed as part of your basement ideas.
As you can see you have a great deal of choice when it comes to heating your basement and it all really depends on how much money your have to spend and how much work you want to have done. Although some may argue that under-floor heating is best for heating your basement, it does require a lot of work to have installed so it best to be done whilst you are renovating your basement. You therefore might be better off looking at the other options. Have a look around your local DIY store and see which ones you like the look of; both in terms of appearance and price