Dear Prude
BACKGROUND:
House is in NW Ohio. Basement is 2000 sq feet. Was finished by previous owner 4 yrs ago. Exterior walls are concrete, 95% below grade. Interior walls are combo pine/drywall. Floor is poured concrete w/ installed pad and carpet. Walls & floor are very attractive and in excellent condition. BUT, no insulation.. ugh!
Furnace is electric. There are three vents w good air flow in the dropped ceiling. There is a gas fireplace on the main level so there is natural gas coming into the house.
CONSIDERATIONS:
-initial investment & workload
-long term efficiency
-safety!!! (i have pets and two small children)
-maximal utilization of the space (this requires a heat source that will keep the space at a fairly constant temp so that its always "ready" for use by the kids)
-temp of 66-68 would be adequate
PLEASE SUGGEST BEST OPTIONS FOR:
-INSULATION???
-do the walls HAVE to be ripped out to add insulation?
-should i incur the expense being the walls are finished?
-what type?
-does the floor need insulation?
HEATING
-should we use the natural gas or continue with the forced air?
-is there a safe way to heat the basement using natural gas?
-should I scrap all of this and stick with "space" heating options?
OTHER IDEAS???
Answer
I don't know about insulation, but my aunt in Canada swears by the heating panels in the link below.
I don't know about insulation, but my aunt in Canada swears by the heating panels in the link below.
How could you heat a small house in an emergency?
romero
its minus 40 here in canada. i have elecric heat and i was wondering how i could heat the house if the power failed.
Answer
First of all, in 40 below weather, if your power fails and you don't have a backup generator, get yourself to the nearest hotel or public place, they will definitelyhave a generator. Figure out your next move from a safe place.
That haaving been said, I live in the Sierra's. We are having an ice storm, starting about now, and lasting through the weekend. Our power often fails. Last time the lines snapped and so did some trees in my property. I have a fireplace with a glass insert and it rocks.
It isn't uncommon to have the power go on and off for days. Off more than on when the winds pick up.
My heat is gas but the thermostat is electric. Stupid eh? So I had a backup generator hooked up to that, nothing else. It cost about $500 US. A backup generator for my entire electrical would have cost me a fortune. I can live with candlelight if I have heat.
The first time the power went out I realized one important thing: having candles and lanterns and lantern oil and radios and batteries and flashlights and such emergency items, that's fine, but knowing where they are and how to go directly to them and find them in pitch black, without stumbling or hurting yourself, that's the key.
Good luck to all of you up there!
PS. I guess Old Philbert up above me doesn't get around much if he thinks 40 below doesn't exist. What a joke.
First of all, in 40 below weather, if your power fails and you don't have a backup generator, get yourself to the nearest hotel or public place, they will definitelyhave a generator. Figure out your next move from a safe place.
That haaving been said, I live in the Sierra's. We are having an ice storm, starting about now, and lasting through the weekend. Our power often fails. Last time the lines snapped and so did some trees in my property. I have a fireplace with a glass insert and it rocks.
It isn't uncommon to have the power go on and off for days. Off more than on when the winds pick up.
My heat is gas but the thermostat is electric. Stupid eh? So I had a backup generator hooked up to that, nothing else. It cost about $500 US. A backup generator for my entire electrical would have cost me a fortune. I can live with candlelight if I have heat.
The first time the power went out I realized one important thing: having candles and lanterns and lantern oil and radios and batteries and flashlights and such emergency items, that's fine, but knowing where they are and how to go directly to them and find them in pitch black, without stumbling or hurting yourself, that's the key.
Good luck to all of you up there!
PS. I guess Old Philbert up above me doesn't get around much if he thinks 40 below doesn't exist. What a joke.
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Title Post: What do you recommend for retro insulating & heating my basement?
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Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
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