basement heating

[KRD01967]

I have a finished basement and we have relatives coming soon for a few weeks We have a 2 furnace system, 1 for the 2nd floor and 1 for the main and basement. We have central air running through the 2nd floor furnace in the summer and the other furnace turned right down in the summer.
My question is what is the best method of heating the bedroom in the basement? I have a fireplace in the main area that can take car of it. However, the bedroom is quite cool.I am thinking of a small baseboard heater with thermostat.

I know baseboard heaters are not terribly efficient $$$$ wise, but what would be a better choice??


Thanks


PS live in Calgary

[TKG26]

Can you run a hot air duct and a return air duct to the bedroom? That would be ideal. and pretty much free minus the duct and labor

The return air is very important.

[57]

Sounds like it's only going to be used for short periods of time, once in a while, rather than a permanent bedroom. So, I'd go the baseboard heater route for the short period of time. Many people also don't need it very warm to sleep if you provide a comforter for example, so you may find the heater is not used at all, or only briefly at night, depending on the guest(s).

Many HVAC systems are not designed very well (poor distribution/return systems) and trying to get heat or cool to an area where it "doesn't want to go" can get pretty expensive, especially if you have to "overheat/overcool" the rest of the home to do so, or re-balance the system with damper/register adjustments when you have guests.

[KRD01967]

Thanks for the quick replies!!

The biggest issue in the summer is that the heat is turned off for the main floor and therefore the basement as well

Call me crazy but it seems to be cooler because the furnace room is adjacent to the bedroom and when the AC is running the cool air finds its way into the bedroom.

I am thinking my only solution is to add some kind of heat source.

[57]

And perhaps look at sealing/perhaps insulating that furnace room a bit better to preclude the "cool air finding the bedroom". (sweeper seal on the bottom of the door, weatherstripping around the door, insulation/vapour barrier on the separating wall(s), etc)

Although this may cost a bit, it may result in some savings in running that fireplace. Seems a bit odd to be running A/C in one part of the home and heat in the other... Something doesn't appear to be well designed/sealed/insulated.

We lived in Calgary for 7 years in the 80's and did without A/C. The number of days "requiring" A/C was pretty small. We also had the two story, two furnace layout, but without A/C. If the bedroom is against the outside wall, if that's not insulated/sealed well, then you may be getting some cool in there from below grade, or from the basement floor. When we gutted/renovated our Toronto home, we put insulation under the basement concrete slab to keep the basement warm because we developed it. Not much help now, but something perhaps to consider for the next home, although some people insulate above the slab, which costs a couple of inches of headroom...

[ScaryBob]

To reduce air leaks, try sealing the duct work at the seams with silver tape made for the job. It's available at most building stores where duct work is sold.

If the room has a heat register, try running the furnace fan for a few hours a day to circulate the air. Some of the better thermostats feature an intermittent fan function that circulates air for a few minutes each hour.

Last but not least, try a duvet/comforter. Many people prefer a cooler bedroom with a warm bed cover such as a duvet. The last thing I would do is heat a room in the Summer, especially with A/C running.

[mr weather]

Originally Posted by ScaryBob

The last thing I would do is heat a room in the Summer, especially with A/C running.

Yes, the situation the OP is describing seems odd to me.

Our basement isn't finished and with the thermostat (ground floor) set to 23°C the basement is cooler but not uncomfortable.

Generally speaking it is better to keep a bedroom cool and use blankets.

[txv]

I have a finished basement and we have relatives coming soon for a few weeks

Uninsulated ducts absorb heat during the cooling season.

I would just shut off the a/c for those few weeks - you shouldn't need to heat the basement in the summer/early fall.