heating an unfinished/unheated basement

Stop reading online. There’s a lot of crazytalk there. Except maybe here: www.HeatingHelp.com That contraption, a hot-water-to-warm-air heat exchanger is far more likely to send cold water back to your boiler than a cast iron radiator because the fan extracts far more heat than natural convection is able to, but piped in a smart way, either one will work just fine.

Master Plvmber

in Heating 11 years and 6 months ago

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paspar2 | 11 years and 6 months ago

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I live in a 100+ year old foursquare. Its pretty well insulated (Walls, attic) and have new windows etc. The 2nd floor is typically warm and the 3rd floor is always warm and we never turn on the heat up there. The problem is the 1st floor, the thermostat is set to 71-73 and even though it “Senses” the require temp and shuts the heat, it never actually feels warm. The basement is unfinished with a slab (more like patchwork of slabs) for a floor and bare brick wall. the ceiling is insulated with r30 but is not finished with sheetrock or anything. The floors are very cold. I am thinking I need to heat the basement in order for the 1st floor to be more comfortable, especially when it dips down to less than 15f.. my question: how can I heat my basement using gas and without using my chimney in the most efficient and safe way? I dont have plans on finishing the space. The current heating system in the house is a hydro-air type system. thanks

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 6 months ago

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If you’ve got hydro air then you’ve got a boiler. Add a zone of radiator heating to the basement off the existing boiler. Voila! Heated basement.

paspar2 | 11 years and 6 months ago

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Master Plvmber, I have been reading online… do I need to worry about “cold shock” to the boiler off radiators in a very cold basement? also, what do you think of [this contraption](http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hvac/heaters/steam-hot-water-unit/modine-121000-btu-steam-or-hot-water-unit-heater?infoParam.campaignId=T9A&gclid=CLWAnqaC6rsCFUsV7Aod7h8APg)