Cold weather (-2) and the finished basement

[Mark42]

Remember my basement finishing project? As part of that project the basement was insulated. Lots of air leaks around the sill were caulked closed. There are still some leaks, but the big ones were closed. <br /><br />As a result the basement is very comfortable. I didn't install heat in the basement, just what is radiated from the boiler. I leave the door open between the finished part and the shop where the boiler is and it stays warm. Upstairs temp is 69 F and basement is 68. <br /><br />This house was built in 1992 and the sole plate on the foundation is made from pressure treated 2x6 about 16 or 20 feet long. I found that over time they dried and shrank and left gaps between the butt ends about 1" wide!!! I could look right to the outside! No wonder som big bugs were walking around in here. I caulked up the gaps and also where the ouside sill plate meets the sole plate because there were major drafts coming in there too. I think that simple caulk job really cut down on cold air leaks. <br /><br />Seeing as I work in the basement one or two days a week (telecommuting) it is important to me that there are no big drafts or extra heat needed.<br /><br />So far, so good! I'll see how warm it stays when the temps drop into the -20 range.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Cold weather (-2) and the finished basement

Good deal!<br /><br />I can't wait to finish mine, 2 of my walls are about 80% exposed concrete to the air, those walls are SO cold in the winter, basement will drop about 8 degrees between furnace cycles with thermostat upstairs.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Cold weather (-2) and the finished basement

I was painting the basement stair case a few weeks ago. When I was at the top the door was closed and I felt a very strong breeze coming under the door (1.5" gap). Furnace was not on, so I realized it was the radon pump sucking all that warm air into the basement and out of the house! <br /><br />My radon levels are nearly nil now that the pump is running 24/7. Wondering if I should put it on a timer to cycle on and off every hour or two. Save electricity and heat.