I'm looking to transform my chilly basement into a rental unit to help with some financial struggles. The space is fully underground with just two small windows, and it's freezing down there! I have an electric fireplace, but it runs non-stop at 72°F and still can't warm up the space adequately. The thermostat upstairs is set to 71°F, and I've noticed that all the vents in the basement are closed. They're made of plastic, so I suspect they're not airtight, which means very little air is actually coming through. What can I do to make this basement warmer? Would adding a couple of baseboard heaters help? Is there a way to use a fan to circulate cold air from the basement to cool the upper levels of the house as well? Plus, winter is brutal here - it stays cold down there even when the heat is cranked up!
1 Answer
It sounds like you’ve got quite the challenge on your hands! First off, adding baseboard heaters could definitely help increase the warmth in your basement. They provide consistent heating and can make a big difference in comfort. Also, using a fan to help circulate air might not be a bad idea, but be cautious with airflow—they can push cold air up instead of helping. And don’t forget to check your insulation! If it’s not up to par, that could be a huge factor in how cold your basement is.
Good point about the insulation! Sometimes upgrading that alone can help a ton.