Even the best-looking finished basement isn’t complete without a good heating source. Sure, it may stay cool enough in the summer on its own. But, it’ll get tough to enjoy a beer, a game, a TV show, or a quiet night when it’s too cold in the winter.
And, even though your basement is the most insulated part of your house, it’s still going to get chilly once the cold weather hits.
In most homes, your furnace doesn’t service that part of the house. In that case, all that heat is above you, and it keeps rising. Or, your basement gets too hot when you’re trying to heat the upstairs.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great ways to fix these problems!
This article outlines four ways to add heating to your basement in the Treasure Valley. We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each. Then, we’ll give our recommendation for the best solution.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions about the heating in your house near Boise, ID, or up near McCall or Donnelly in Valley County, give us a call! We offer free consultations and are happy to help.
Add Vents From Your Furnace
You can run another register or two from your furnace to warm up a basement.
Pros
Since the furnace is already installed, all you need to do is add an extra register or two. Plus, you get cooling in the summer if you have central air. And, since the furnace is in the basement, you’ll get excellent circulation.
Cons
If your furnace and ductwork weren’t made with this in mind, you could throw off the balance for the rest of the home. That could mean no longer having enough pressure to reach the top floor. And, adding ductwork is expensive and takes up a lot of space.
Get A Basement Fireplace
A pellet stove or other fireplace is a way to add a new heating source to a basement.
Pros
Aesthetically these are beautiful! And, you can add heat without making your upstairs colder. In fact, since hot air rises, you’ll probably supplement the first floor a little, too.
Cons
These take up a lot of room. If you don’t have a large rec space, you might not want to give it up. You’re also limited to where you can install it because you need to vent it outside. Finally, these require you to buy pellets or wood — it’s not like gas or electricity that gets pumped right into the house.
Install Baseboard Heaters
Baseboard heaters have been a very common heating source in Idaho for older homes and houses without ductwork.
Pros
Baseboard heaters are inexpensive to buy and very easy to install. They’re also very customizable. You can get more than one if you need more heat. While they need open space around them, it’s easy to install them in an out-of-the-way spot. Plus, they don’t make any noise.
Cons
Ten years ago, we might have said this was your best bet. But, there are better options on the market now. And, the baseboards use a lot of electricity. You’ll see a significant jump on your electric bill.
Install A Ductless Mini Split
Ductless mini splits have come a long way over the past few years. Now, they’re powerful enough to heat any home in the Treasure Valley! And, they do a better job than conventional HVAC.
Read More: How Do Mini Splits Work?
Pros
One system provides heating and cooling. And, it works independently from your central heat and air, so you don’t take away from the rest of the house. It also doesn’t require ductwork, so installation is straightforward. It’s whisper-quiet, just like baseboard heaters.
But, they also provide air conditioning and use a fraction of the electricity those heaters require. That makes them ideal for whole-home heating and cooling or single rooms. They’re also popular for bedrooms that are always too cold, for instance.
Cons
The only real drawback is the upfront price: Upwards of $3,000 for a single-zone system. But you have offers out there to bring that price down. And, as we mentioned, you also get air conditioning.
Plus, you’ll pay far less on your monthly bills. That tends to even out the initial cost. And, you can take advantage of financial incentives to keep your regular payments low while also saving money on your utlities.
Read More: Rebates and Financing Options For Treasure Valley Heat Pump and Mini Split Installations
Our Recommendation
It’s no secret that Snowflake Air is a huge supporter of ductless heating and cooling. In our experience around Boise or in Valley Country, there’s just about no situation where a mini split can’t do a better job than conventional heating.
We touched on some of the benefits already, but let’s drill down a little further on:
- Easy Installation
- Better Comfort
- Lower Energy Bills
Easy Installation
A mini split consists of a heat pump outside and an air handler in the area you’re treating. The indoor component usually hangs on a wall. And, we only need a few lines running through the walls to connect the two pieces. As a result, installation for a single-zone system takes just one day and doesn’t impact the look and feel of the room.
Better Comfort
Here’s the big benefit: Better comfort than you’ve ever felt before! The system circulated the heat (and cooling) way better than forced air or radiant heat like you’d get with baseboards. It eliminates hot or cold spots anywhere in the room and always keeps the temperature within a degree of your thermostat setting.
Lower Energy Bills
You’d see huge savings on your electric bill if you outfit your entire home with ductless. But, if you’re adding heat and cooling to an area that’s never had HVAC before, you won’t see an increase.
In fact, you may end up using your furnace a little less in the winter! With the extra heat, your first floor stays warmer.
Read Real Case Studies Of Mini Split Installations In Boise Metro and Valley County
Mini Split Installation In Donnelley, ID and Boise Metro
As a factory-certified Mitsubishi Elite Diamond Dealer, Snowflake is the expert on mini split installation in Donnelley, ID, Cascade, McCall, and other Valley County communities along with Boise Metro. If you’d like to learn more about ductless, call us at (208) 205-9078 for a free consultation.
