Besides being an ample storage space, you can convert your basement into a quick home office, gymnasium, an entertainment area, or even a spare bedroom when you host many visitors. Some homeowners may also prefer turning a basement into a games room or a laundry area. Whichever function you opt for, basement heating is needed to make this space as cozy as the rest of the house. Some find it daunting to find a heating system that warms the basement throughout the seasons without hiking energy bills.
If you’re contemplating on the right heating options for your basement, read on. From insulating your ductwork to installing a temporary fireplace, you’ll guarantee your family a cozy time when watching, gaming, or even working from home. This article explores some of the prevalent energy-efficient space heaters. You can install the temporary options through a simple DIY process, but long-term heaters may require professional assistance. Also, kindly note that any heating solution has pros and cons, and your best choice depends on aesthetic preferences.
Your go-to options include:
1. Electric Ceramic Space Heaters
Electric heaters are the most popular option because nearly everyone has access to reliable electrical conductivity. Besides, you can choose an option that uses solar energy to recharge the batteries. That way, you’ll not depend on the mains supply to warm your basement. Solar energy is also more affordable and dependable. Ceramic space heaters are relatively easy to set up. You only need to plug the system into a standard outlet, and you’re good to go. Thus, they are convenient and relatively easy to use for first-timers.
Electric ceramic heaters give you overwhelming options in size, models, and even shapes. You can opt for wall-mount models or heaters that work on the floor. Briefly, you won’t lack an option that compliments your style and aesthetic preferences while heating efficiently. These basement heaters are highly portable and lightweight. You can carry them to any spot of the basement for instant heating. These units warm up your room through thermal energy. Cold air enters the system for heating before recirculating via thermal energy. Some models may also use an electric fan to supply the heat.
Generally, you’re looking at heating systems that offer warmth on demand. With a unit installed in your place, no one will ever feel cold again.
Pros to Electric Ceramic Heaters
- Instant heat
- Highly portable
- Safe for children use
Cons to Electric Ceramic Heaters
- Ideal for small areas
- It might require an electric fan
- Require an open space
2. Propane Gas Heaters
If you want to keep your electricity bills low throughout all seasons, going for propane gas heaters sounds like the best option. Propane systems are the only basement heaters on this list that don’t require electrical power to warm up your space. As the name suggests, these systems use liquid propane (LP) to heat your basement. A high-quality system gives you up to 20% more heat than conventional systems. Thus, they are relatively affordable to run and maintain than typical electrical space heaters.
Propane gas systems use the same heating technology in infrared space heaters. These units emit electromagnetic waves into the air to warm up all nearby and surrounding objects. Since these units don’t use electricity, there are no power constraints when shifting spots. Moreover, they are lightweight to ensure convenience and high portability. You can have single or multiple systems depending on the size of your basement and the number of users.
Generally, propane gas heaters are a go-to option if you want to guarantee coziness in your basement even when the electricity supply is out.
Pros to Propane Gas Heaters
- Highly portable
- No electricity required
- Hassle-free maintenance
- Guarantees the hottest heat
Cons to Propane Gas Heaters
- High explosion risk
- They require fuel
3. Forced Air Systems (Fan-Assisted Heaters)
Forced air systems help in basement heating like electric ceramic heaters, only that they use metallic elements in place of ceramic. There is a high likelihood that you have probably come across one without knowing it is a forced-air system. As the name suggests, you’ll need an electric fan to assist in circulation. Cool air sucks into the system then circulate the heating elements before proceeding to the fan. The fan will blow the warm air around the space, heating the whole room and everything inside. Like electric ceramic heaters, you can install them on the wall or floor, depending on the designs.
Setting up fan-assisted heaters is relatively easy. Prevalent brands are electrical; you only need to plug the system into a direct power source, and you’re good to go. As for pricing, forced air systems are relatively expensive than the other heaters on our list. Even so, they last longer, with unparalleled efficiency to match your investment’s value. You’ll likely have a good experience with them. Energy bills will depend on the frequency of use and how long the system runs before turning it off.
Pros to Fan-Assisted Heaters
- Lightweight and portable
- Hassle-free maintenance
- Safe for children use
- Instant heat
- Ideal for floor applications
Cons to Fan-Assisted Heaters
- Ideal for small areas
- Must work with a fan
- They can block air
4. Install Baseboard Heaters
Some homeowners may want to install basement heaters when building a new garage or renovating their living space. In that case, you would like to go for high-quality baseboard heaters that guarantee long-term use and efficiency. Baseboard heaters will either be gas or electrical, giving you an option that matches your preference and maintenance needs. Moreover, these units come in various designs. You can opt for a simple model that plugs into a direct power source to provide instant heat or an advanced model that hardwires into your circuit box or connects to the gas supply. However, you’ll need a professional to install a fully-fledged baseboard heater.
Also, kindly note that advanced baseboard heaters come at a relatively costly price. The cost of operations might also be high. Thus, you would want to go for a simple system than baseboard heaters, especially if you want to warm a relatively small garage. You also get the option of a long-term or portable unit.
Pros
- Overwhelming options
- Ideal for long-term uses
Cons
- Heating downtime
- Uneven heat distribution
5. Oil Filled Radiators
Oil-filled radiators make the healthiest and safest go-to basement heaters, especially around children and pets. These systems use conventional heat to warm the room at steady temperatures without sucking moisture from the air. However, you’ll mostly find these systems efficient if you also insulate the garage to prevent heat escape. The systems come with an automatic thermostat that powers on/off to conserve energy—high-quality unit powers on when it’s cold and goes off when the room is warm. The cycle continues until you unplug it from the power source.
However, you’ll need to select the right size that suits the square-foot area of your garage. It can be a wall-mount or free-standing system, depending on your aesthetic preferences. The best part? These units don’t require professional installation. Plug your model into a direct power source, and you’re good to go.
Pros to Oil Filled Radiators
- Requires little or zero maintenance
- Large surface heating area
- Energy-efficient
- Highly portable
Cons to Oil Filled Radiators
- Relatively hot
- Big models are cumbersome
6. Infrared Space Heaters
Lastly, you might also want to try infrared space heaters, especially if you want to warm the area quickly. Infrared heaters are increasingly becoming popular in the US, thanks to their relatively affordable initial price tags and hassle-free maintenance. Users can adjust the output level and the range of the heat. Most importantly, you can control how much you want to spend in terms of cost. Thus, it sounds like the best option for keeping your family cozy without breaking the bank. They also come in varying price ranges to suit different budgets.
Infrared heaters come in multiple designs and styles for various aesthetic options. The prevalent models include electric, propane, and natural gas. All models offer realistic flickering frames, and you won’t miss a realistic fireplace. These heaters use electric radiant infrared to warm up your basement. They warm like the sun by heating objects in a direct line. That includes the floor of the garage and the objects around it. However, anything outside the path of the radiating heat will remain cold.
These basement heaters help you conserve heat and enhance a greener living space. Heating on light spectrums guarantees minimal emission, invisible to the human eye. If you’re an environmental activist, you should probably take chances with infrared basement heaters.
Pros to Infrared Basement Heaters
- Same air quality
- Instant heat
- Noiseless
- Ideal for directional heating
Cons to Infrared Basement Heaters
- It can be extremely hot
- It doesn’t hold heat when off
- Possible skin problems
Why Should You Install Basement Heating?
If you usually feel like you need some warmth on your feet when inside the garage, it is probably because the basement is too cold. While some homes can do without a basement heater, it can be pretty uncomfortable to work or just chill in an unheated garage, especially during cold seasons such as winter. Besides having cold legs and feet, prolonged exposure to cold can result in health complications. Heat your garage in the following instances:
Poor Insulation
You’ll likely install insulation materials in your main house before even thinking about the basement. Zero insulation makes the place cold by adapting to the outside temperature. That’s why you may find a garage to be relatively warm during the day and extremely cold at night. In that case, go for a basement heater to do what insulation should.
Better Living Conditions
As noted, a sizeable basement can be an alternative room for fun home activities. Whether it’s an entertainment lounge with a wet bar or a play area for the kids, you would want to make the place as warm as possible for improved living conditions. Again, no system does it better than a dedicated basement heater.
Limited Sunlight Exposure
The basement is your go-to storage area and a place for all the dirty work. All the plumbing, gas, and even electrical networks pass through the garage. In most cases, the garage doesn’t receive as much sun exposure as the other rooms in your home. In that case, it makes sense if you opt for an artificial heating system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Efficient Way to Heat a Basement?
The most efficient way of heating your basement is by using a unit that leverages an electric fan to distribute the heat. Alternatively, you might want a system that heats objects in a conventional line, through radiation, just like the sun. Electrical space heaters are also efficient and reliable.
How Can I Heat My Basement Cheaply?
Cheap is relative. Whatever may seem relatively inexpensive to you may be expensive to another homeowner, and vice versa. Nonetheless, propane heaters make the most affordable option for basement heating. These units don’t require electricity and last longer with hassle-free maintenance.
How Much it Costs to Put Heat in a Basement?
Installing a high-quality basement heater in your garage will cost $300 to $500. However, the costs can be as high as $1,000, depending on the range, the number of heaters, materials needed to get the job done, and labor charges. It costs about $10 to 20 per square foot to add heat in a basement for standard options.
Is it Efficient to Heat Your Basement?
Basement heating is very efficient, especially if you choose a unit that fits your budget and attracts hassle-free maintenance. You need to consider the size of the basement to determine an ideal heating system. Some homeowners may still prefer a highly portable heater, even in large spaces, to keep the energy bills low. In that case, you only need to carry the heater next to your sitting spot, and you’ll be comfortable as long as the system is on.
Wrapping It Up
As you can see, heating options for your basement are pretty overwhelming. Besides the ones named above, you can also opt for radiant floor heating or a wall heating system. Although efficient, radiant floor heating can be tricky on installation cost and time. Each option is pretty forthcoming in efficiency and reliability. However, experiencing 100% satisfaction depends on whether the unit meets your specific needs. Remember, any choice will give you heat, but not as efficiently as a system that caters to your basement size and aesthetic preferences. You can purchase these systems from online or physical stores near you. If you don’t trust your skills, always hire a professional for installation. Most importantly, buy a heater that comes with a warranty for quality inconsistencies.
