How to Heat My Basement in the Frigid Cold

Your basement doesn't need to feel like the frozen land outside.

Basements are naturally cooler than any other part of your house. Because heat rises and because central heat does not extend to most basements. the bottom floor of your house can become unbearable in the dead of winter. But you don’t have to brace yourself for a trip to the ice cavern each time you need to venture downstairs. Taking a few preventive measures and adding heat sources can lead to a warmer basement.

Things You'll Need

• Heater
• Duct tape
• Caulk

Instructions

1. Check the cold-air return in your basement. The return looks like a vent and takes cold air out of the room and into the furnace. Make sure that nothing is blocking it. Even something small prevents the return from taking the maximum amount of cold air out of the basement.

2. Place a humidifier in the basement. If you have divided the basement into multiple rooms with walls, place a humidifier in each room. Do not run a dehumidifier. The humidifier promotes humidity in the air, which increases heat in the basement.

3. Seal all windows with caulking or plastic and duct tape. Most basements have windows that allow air to seep in through the frame. By caulking air leaks or sealing the window with plastic and duct tape, you keep frigid air from invading your basement.

4. Add a direct source of heat to the basement, such as a kerosene heater, electric heater or baseboard heater. You must have a vent to remove gas created by gas heaters. If you do not have a vent, use an electric heater. Gas heaters burn dangerous fumes that can be fatal if not vented properly.

5. Close the door to your basement. If your basement doesn’t have a door, add one. By closing the door, you trap warm air inside the basement. If the door is open, the hot air naturally rises to the upper floors.

6. Direct air down to your basement by turning the upper floor vents slightly to the closed position. The air blows down to your basement rather than to your upper floors.

7. Place area rugs to slow down the cool air rising from the floor if you have basement flooring other than carpet, such as concrete or wood.

References

• Ask the Builder: Basement Insulation
• Get Rich Slowly: Cheap Ways to Stay Warm This Winter