7 Best heating options for a finished basement in Ontario

Dec 15, 2021

The meaning of basement is that of a part of a building that is wholly or partly
below ground level. It allows your workspace to be independent of every other
room. Homeowners can also create additional bedrooms, a theatre, and an office
place and so on.

Simply put, the fact that basements are located underground makes them
inherently colder. As a result, the basement will stay cold even during the
summer months. So, you’ll need to make many adjustments to make it warm and
cosy.

Here, we will run through all the different types of heat sources to find out the
best heating method for your basement.

1. Add a fireplace to the basement
A fireplace can be one of the most cost-effective ways to heat your space. If
there is an existing chimney in your basement, this can be a great eco-friendly
option to heat your basement.

Nevertheless, basement fireplaces are comparatively easy to instal and much
more effective. If you opt for a wood-burning or natural gas fireplace, you’ll
have to keep up with regular maintenance to reduce carbon monoxide
accumulate in the chimney and keep it clean.

However, if you are looking for an option that is less time-consuming,
cost-effective and provides insulation convenience, infrared fireplaces can be
ideal. They are easy to use and give a pleasing appearance to your underground
room.

Despite the advantages above, its disadvantages should not be ignored.
If you have an oversized basement, the fireplace won’t efficiently keep the
Space warms entirely. Thus, you need to involve it with other heating options.

2. Extend your current HVAC system
Many homeowners have already installed HVAC units prior to the completion of
the basement. Though they have a chance to modify it to warm up the cellar
using extra vents. But some factors should be taken into consideration. An
efficient investigation is essential to find out the capability of your current set-up
to support overload. What age and size are the vital indicators?

Your system might be too old to work any harder than it already is because its
working conditions will already be at their peak and rising levels of cold in space will
force it to work beyond limits. Apart from that, if the unit is too small, it won’t handle
any more extensions. However, this problem can be overcome by upgrading the size or
Instal a new HVAC for the basement.

In the examination of the system, if a skilled professional finds that your unit is
able to work on the extra spaces, you can move forward with a further easy
process. This includes the fixation of extensions and registers at the main supply
then concealing the return and new ducts within the ceiling joist. Eventually, it will
help in raising the value of your home.

In addition, the direction of the thermostat has a great effect on heating.
Particularly if it is placed on an upper floor that has exposure to the sun. Still, the
The whole house can be controlled by a single panel if you are using a programmable
thermostat.

3. Using Space Heaters
Space heaters are a familiar device to anyone who has lived in a cold flat
or dorm room. It is cheap to purchase and plug directly into the household
outlet and start producing heat right away.
Well, being inexpensive and portable far outweighs any drawbacks it might bring
such as being ineffective for a huge enclosed area.
Lastly, it should be used with caution and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Consider Radiant Heating
It is true that the installation of panels in your flooring or walls can keep your
basement warm during the winter. It is affordable and easy to implement.
There are many radiant panel options available for you to select from. You can
either using hydronic or electric floor heating.

Hydronic is a water-based system where a tube containing hot water is placed
underneath the floor to heat the upper surface. The lines are expanded
throughout the room and have a long-lasting effect.

Contrariwise, in electric radiant floor heating, the electric heating coil is stretched
onto the entire floor and the other side of the tube is connected to the electric
radiant heater. Here, the surface gets heated by a radiation process. That’s why
the floor will stay warmer than when using hydronic heating.

5. Use Baseboard Heaters
Basement heaters are also low-priced and easy to instal. Although it offers
Everlasting spot heating, their range is so limited. So at least one for each room
needs to have constant heating.

There are many benefits of using these heaters. It doesn’t require special
ductwork, you can instal them along the floor of your underground room.
Furthermore, they’re virtually silent. In opposition, it can be dangerous to use if
you have small children or pets in your home.

6. Buying an Electric Heater
This kind of heater uses electrically powered coils and fans to distribute the warm
air in the surrounding areas. You can regulate the temperature and even switch off
once the room warms up. This provides consistent heating across the entire
basement and can be controlled using a centrally located thermostat.
Conversely, it is not an ideal option for you if you want to focus on a particular
area because energy blows everywhere.

7. Insulate your walls and floor
The best kind of insulation for a basement wall depends on how cold your
surrounding environment is. Most people seek interior wall insulation options, as
they are better at waterproofing your walls. XPS, EPS, or mineral wool insulation
materials are typically the most popular options, as they don’t absorb water and
are extremely cost-effective.

Also, use the Discord insulation for your finished floor. It is considered a
basement subfloor that insulates the surface to prevent moisture leaks. You have
a range of different finishes to choose from.

We will help you set up your basement with a suitable heating option.

Call us: +1 (647) 883-4051