Moisture, insulation, poor air circulation, problems with air conditioning, and electrical appliances that emit heat are all common potential reasons why your basement is so warm. Ridding of moisture, improving air conditioning, lessening the number of machines, can all aid in cooling your basement.
It’s a common issue that people find their basement is too warm. Depending on what you use your basement for, having a basement that is too warm is not ideal.
This is particularly true if you wish to use the space for recreational purposes and relaxation and not just as a place for storing things. There are many potential reasons why your basement is so warm.
Potential reasons why the space is so warm include moisture, over-insulation, poor air circulation, problems with air conditioning, and heat emitted from electronic appliances.
Insulation
The most common reason for your basement being warm is the insulation and trapped heat. Basements are typically well insulated. There will typically be a 6 inch layer along with plastic to protect the foam and then encased by wood and walls.
This is a very effective way to keep heat trapped and prevent it from escaping.
Electronics
If electronics are constantly in use within the basement, this will create heat. Let’s say you’re always playing video games in there, the games console will be dissipating heat into the environment, increasing the basement temperature.
If you’ve got electronics close together with little room for them to cool this will compound the high heat effects.
Clutter
If the space is a mess, this will lead to higher temperatures due to inefficient air flow. Let’s say there’s a bike in the middle of the room, along with some scrap parts, tools laying everywhere etc. This all contributes to a lacking air flow system and an increase in temperature.
Clutter is a silent killer, no one ever thinks of it because it starts as nothing and gradually builds into something large. It’s often put to the back of the queue on people’s to do lists
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How to cool a basement
Install windows
If you have windows, open them. If you’re afraid of opening them due to security concerns, consider adding bars.
If you don’t have any windows in your basement, consider installing some. They’ll make a huge difference when it comes to reducing temperatures.
Dehumidifier
To improve and cool a basement that is too warm, you can take away excess moisture by relieving the air of humidity by using a dehumidifier. These are inexpensive and don’t take up much space.
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Declutter
Clutter reduces air flow. So if you’ve got a messy space, make sure to start organizing everything and allow open space.
Consider using storage draws and shelves. Look to push things to aside, leave gaps in-between objects and allow open space in the middle of the room.
Air conditioning unit
A super easy way to cool your basement is simply using an AC. They’re easy to install and will throw cool air into the room. If you decide to use an AC, make sure the windows and doors are closed. Otherwise the cold air will escape.
Before installing an AC, look for duct leaks as you don’t want the cool air escaping.
Reduce the insulation
If all else fails and you decide nothing is work, tear out some of the insulation layers. If your room is over-insulated, try reducing your method of insulation or removing what it is you use to insulate it. This can include reducing padding the basement walls or under the floorboards which are common ways of insulating rooms.
It’s best used with a dehumidifier, the combo will without a doubt cool your basement no matter what. But keep in mind the winter months, this could spell disaster in the winter months and may contribute to reducing the heat to the rest of the house.
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Why is my basement warmer than upstairs?
Your basement may be warmer than upstairs because of insulation issues, electrical appliances that generate heat, or excess humidity. Too much insulation can trap heat. Electrical appliances such as video game consoles create heat. And basement humidity can make them warmer than upstairs.
Generally, basements should be cooler than rooms upstairs. If your basement is warmer than upstairs, it can be down to a variety of reasons.
First, a bit of science. A reason your basement is warmer than upstairs could be because basements are usually below ground level and therefore have better insulation than upstairs rooms. It can also be because generally rooms, where heat is being generated like the kitchen, are on the ground level and the heat from those rooms will stay and dissipate along with the ground levels first, potentially seeping through into the basement.
However, the reasons why a basement is warmer than upstairs will usually be down to several external factors that are in a person’s control such as insulation, heat-generating appliances, and humidity.
Most people will insulate their basements. Especially homeowners and people who use their basements for leisure or have turned them into living spaces and bedrooms because they want to have a warm as opposed to a cool environment to spend time in.
However, too much insulation can become a problem. Especially in the summer. Depending on the method of insulation, it should be possible to reduce the amount. Heat-generating appliances are a common cause for basements being warmer than the rest of the house.
This is especially true for many of those who have turned their basements into recreational or leisurely rooms, such as offices, cinema rooms, or video games rooms. Computers, video games machines, and large screen TVs all run on electricity and electricity generates heat.
The more electrical appliances you have in your basement, the warmer it’ll be. Finally, basements that are warmer than upstairs are often caused by humidity. Basements are known for often being areas where there’s a lot of humidity and moisture in the air.
One of the main reasons for this is there’s often insufficient ventilation. The lack of outside air being able to get into the basement and other factors like basements not usually having windows means humidity and moisture can build up over time and make basements warmer than other rooms in the house.
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Why is my basement so hot in the winter?
A hot basement in the winter is often due to external elements like the fact basements are below ground level and the earth that surrounds them insulates them. It can also be leaky ductwork. If the ductwork in your basement is leaking, the warm air is staying in the basement, making it extra warm.
There are a variety of factors that can make your basement hot in the winter. Because basements are below ground level and naturally surrounded by earth, they’re better insulated than other areas in the house which can keep them warm even in the winter.
It could also be because of the ductwork. Most basements have ductwork going through them and if any of them have leaks then it may be some of the warm air travelling through is leaking and staying in the basement rather than travelling to other areas in the house.
Why is my basement so hot in the summer?
A basement that is very hot in the summer is likely due to poor circulation or improper ventilation. For better air circulation, try adding fans or installing an air conditioning unit. You can also try adding vents or exhaust fans if your basement needs better ventilation.
Some people find their basements are particularly hot in the summer. Paradoxically, most basements stay cool in the summer. If you find your basement is very hot in the summer, it’s likely to be because of poor circulation and improper ventilation.
You may find relief by increasing the circulation of air between the rooms of your home. One way you can do this is by simply adding fans.
Adding a fan at the top of the stairs to your basement with the door open can help pull cool air from upstairs down into the basement while allowing some of the hot air to dissipate. If you can invest, you can also try purchasing an air conditioning unit for your basement.
A basement that’s hot in the summer is also commonly due to improper ventilation. Try adding vents or exhaust fans to pull the hot air out and bring fresh cool air in.
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