Basement TV/playroom cold - suggestions?

[downtoearth]

So our basement is 1970's finished - wood paneling against foundation. We do have a vent from the furnace into the playroom/TV room, but it's about a 40' x 20' room and cools off quickly.

There is a fireplace and we want to get a gas insert, but that will have to wait until next year since we just spent $$$ on an insert for upstairs.

Any ideas on cheaper ways to heat our basement for the kids to play and so DH and I aren't freezing when we watch TV at night? Should I use space heaters or one of these - www.amazon.com/World-Marketing-Electric-Log-Heater/dp/B00519AJL0?

Or are those just going to use as much energy as cranking our furnance to 70+ to heat the downstairs (while our upstairs roasts)?

[kaylie]

We bought in a dehumidifier and I was surprised how much warmer our basement got. It's a large open room and now it's warmer than the rest of the house.

[jhawks482]

Jan 14, 2013 16:00:34 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

I would get an electric space heater. Definitely don't roast the rest of the house!!!! It will be cheaper to purchase than those logs and many have a thermostat. We use them at work so everyone can be comfortable and I can set mine to 65, 70, 75, or 80. It goes on an off to keep the temp close to just right. I think it was like, $80 at staples.
I have a friend who saved a ton of $$ supposedly using space heaters. We keep our place pretty chilly and use a blanket or a hoodie when watching TV.

We have a space heater as well. It's one where you can set a temp so it's not constantly running (unless you want it to, of course). We have one in the basement, and one in dd's room.

[FoxInFiji]

First before you spend any money on installing an insert you should fix the problem (ie. the fact that you don't have any insulation in the walls). Tear down the wood paneling, extend the studs, put up one or two layers of closed cell insulation, and re-drywall. The materials themselves do not cost that much but if you hire it out you'll need to pay for labor. Consider adding a thin layer to the floor as well if possible. Spending money on an expensive way to heat your basement as is is like trying to fill a sieve full of water.

Second, what is your heating system? NG, electric, force air, etc? How old is it and is it in good shape? Does is adequately heat the rest of the house without an issue? The best solution would be to add another few ducts to supply and return air from the space. Yes unless you're furnace is in very poor shape is it far less energy to heat your basement with your furnace than any electric space heater or even gas insert. Gas fireplaces, even inserts, waste a lot of heat by exhaust it with the smoke vs. sending it back into the space. They should be used for looks not heat. Odds are the basement wasn't originally finished when the house was built and it was finished afterward buy some less than stellar builders/DIYers by the sounds of it.

In the mean time using a space heater is an OK solution but it shouldn't be used long term. You're just dumping money down the drain.

[downtoearth]

Jan 14, 2013 16:18:04 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

First before you spend any money on installing an insert you should fix the problem (ie. the fact that you don't have any insulation in the walls). Tear down the wood paneling, extend the studs, put up one or two layers of closed cell insulation, and re-drywall. The materials themselves do not cost that much but if you hire it out you'll need to pay for labor. Consider adding a thin layer to the floor as well if possible. Spending money on an expensive way to heat your basement as is is like trying to fill a sieve full of water.

Second, what is your heating system? NG, electric, force air, etc? How old is it and is it in good shape? Does is adequately heat the rest of the house without an issue? The best solution would be to add another few ducts to supply and return air from the space. Yes unless you're furnace is in very poor shape is it far less energy to heat your basement with your furnace than any electric space heater or even gas insert. Gas fireplaces, even inserts, waste a lot of heat by exhaust it with the smoke vs. sending it back into the space. They should be used for looks not heat. Odds are the basement wasn't originally finished when the house was built and it was finished afterward buy some less than stellar builders/DIYers by the sounds of it.

In the mean time using a space heater is an OK solution but it shouldn't be used long term. You're just dumping money down the drain.

Oh, we are planning to redo the basement - down to the studs or cement wall in this case, but we need a solution for the next 4 months until we can start demo next spring.

[downtoearth]

Jan 14, 2013 16:07:12 GMT -5 kaylie said:

We bought in a dehumidifier and I was surprised how much warmer our basement got. It's a large open room and now it's warmer than the rest of the house.

Hmmm, would a dehumidifier work in a very dry northern climate (like Montana, say)?

I think we'll look at a space heater for now if not.

[kaylie]

Do you feel moisture in the air when you're down there? I think for us, that was the main issue. If it's already dry down there then it probably wouldn't do much good.

[sierramist03]

I'd just do a space heater

[Deleted]

I'd use a space heater. My girls p,ayrrom is cold (sunroom no insulation) & space heater gets it toasty in there in the winter.

[FoxInFiji]

Jan 14, 2013 16:23:09 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

Jan 14, 2013 16:18:04 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

First before you spend any money on installing an insert you should fix the problem (ie. the fact that you don't have any insulation in the walls). Tear down the wood paneling, extend the studs, put up one or two layers of closed cell insulation, and re-drywall. The materials themselves do not cost that much but if you hire it out you'll need to pay for labor. Consider adding a thin layer to the floor as well if possible. Spending money on an expensive way to heat your basement as is is like trying to fill a sieve full of water.

Second, what is your heating system? NG, electric, force air, etc? How old is it and is it in good shape? Does is adequately heat the rest of the house without an issue? The best solution would be to add another few ducts to supply and return air from the space. Yes unless you're furnace is in very poor shape is it far less energy to heat your basement with your furnace than any electric space heater or even gas insert. Gas fireplaces, even inserts, waste a lot of heat by exhaust it with the smoke vs. sending it back into the space. They should be used for looks not heat. Odds are the basement wasn't originally finished when the house was built and it was finished afterward buy some less than stellar builders/DIYers by the sounds of it.

In the mean time using a space heater is an OK solution but it shouldn't be used long term. You're just dumping money down the drain.

Oh, we are planning to redo the basement - down to the studs or cement wall in this case, but we need a solution for the next 4 months until we can start demo next spring.

OK good! A good thing to look for in a space heater is some way of maintaining the heat after the unit is off. An oil filled or ceramic heaters are the common types of space heaters that do this. The ceramic plates/oil stay hot for an extended period of time after the electric coil heating them up has turned off so you get a longer more even temperature.

[lys]

The basement walls are probably not insulated. You will lose a ton of heat without insulation.
As part of a basement renovation we took off the pine paneling, insulated and reinstalled the pine - then painted it. Made a HUGE difference. Also put in new double pane basement windows.

Although a space heater will help with warmth - it will run up your electric bill big time.

Dress warmer and add a a few throws on the sofa/chairs.

[lys]

The basement walls are probably not insulated. You will lose a ton of heat without insulation.
As part of a basement renovation we took off the pine paneling, insulated and reinstalled the pine - then painted it. Made a HUGE difference. Also put in new double pane basement windows.

Although a space heater will help with warmth - it will run up your electric bill big time.

Dress warmer and add a a few throws on the sofa/chairs.

[thatgirl2478]

Jan 14, 2013 16:23:09 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

Oh, we are planning to redo the basement - down to the studs or cement wall in this case, but we need a solution for the next 4 months until we can start demo next spring.

FYI - we just did this (room is about 1/2 the size of yours - 45 x 12) - took it all the way down to the concrete, put in better insulation, replaced the windows, added drywall) and it still gets cold unless we turn the thermostat up to about 70. It's not awful if you're just playing on the rug area or watching tv but the tile floor is rough. We wanted to put in radiant floor heating, but between the cost of the product, the cost of the install and the cost of adding a pony box to the electric panel - it was going to be too expensive.

[sailorgray]

So, space heaters are safe now?

[thatgirl2478]

Jan 14, 2013 18:26:13 GMT -5 sailorgray said:

So, space heaters are safe now?

Depends on the type and location.

kerosene? nope not inside
Electric open coil? yes inside as long as they are away from anything that could burn (including kids imo)
Electric with ceramic coil or non exposed coil? Yes, but I wouldn't leave it on all day& night unattended...

[rachelgreen]

Our basement is exactly what you have. Eventually we'll take it back down to the concrete and frame it, insulate it, and drywall it. For the time being we have one of these types of space heaters for when we are down there.

www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=361881-49778-23RM906-C233&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3439912&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1