If you’re like most people, your basement is one of the most incredible places in your home during the summer. But if you’ve been having trouble keeping it cool, don’t worry – we have some tips to help! So keep reading to learn how to keep basement cool in summer without spending a lot of money.
Summer has finally sprung, which can only mean one thing: warmth. The sun is shining, the days are long, and the heat is on. And speaking of heat, do you know your basement could be up to 10 degrees warmer than any other room in your home during summer.
Of course, if you have a finished basement, this might come as no surprise because it’s an underground cave. But if you have an unfinished basement, coolness should be your goal!
A Step by Step Guide on How to Keep Basement Cool in Summer
Step 1: Keep Out Sunlight
The best way to keep your basement cool in the summer is to keep it in the shade. How you do this will depend on how much of the wall you can block out or windows that let light in. If you have windows in your basement, place something over them like blinds or shades.
If you only have one window (that’s not huge), cover it with cardboard and make sure all sides are covered. If you don’t want to do this, try hanging thick curtains over the window, so no light gets through.
Step 2: Dehumidify the Air
This is one of the most important things you can do to keep your basement cool. But, of course, how you go about doing this will depend on what you want, whether it be portable or permanent use, and how much money you are willing to spend on it.
A dehumidifier works by taking moist, humid air in the room and passing it over cold coils cooled by water.
This causes the humidity level in the room to drop because the warm, moist air transfers its heat energy to the coils, which then move that heat out into another space (usually outside). There is also a small fan inside that helps circulate the air.
Since moisture levels drop when using a dehumidifier, the air in your basement becomes more relaxed than it would be without one. How much you should dehumidify your basement will depend on how humid the room gets and what type of dehumidifier you use.
Step 3: Mini-Spit System
This is another method to keep your basement cool, especially if you have a lot of people living in the house. How you go about doing this will depend on how much money you want to spend and how comfortable you are with basic plumbing skills.
All you need to do is make sure there’s a drain near where the humid air tends to accumulate (usually by a window) and then connect a hose from that drain into a pot or bucket. How often you empty it depends on how humid the air gets and how big the bucket/pot is.
Step 4: Maintain Air Movement
This is important to circulate air throughout the room. How you go about doing this will depend on how much you want to spend and what equipment you have available. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on when people are in the room. It will help keep air circulating in the room and ensure no one area gets too hot while another gets too cold.
You can also get a portable fan that can be moved from window to window depending on more humid air buildup. How often you’ll need to check which areas of your basement get hotter than others will depend on how moist it tends to get.
Step 5: Add Plants
Plants add oxygen to your home, so they play an indirect role in keeping your basement cool. How much and what kind of plants you add depends on how comfortable you are with your green thumb. How often you’ll need to water them will depend on the conditions you place them in (for example, if they get direct sunlight versus indirect) and how humid it gets in the room.
How much you spend on your plants will depend on how many, their size, and the price of the kind you get. this is a crucial step in how to keep basement cool in summer.
Step 6: Ceiling Fan
You can also use a ceiling fan to keep your basement cool, and it’s straightforward to install. How you go about doing this will depend on what kind of fan you get and how secure your current wiring is. How often you’ll need to clean the blades will depend on how long you have had them installed, but it’s not something that has to be done every week or anything like that.
How much you end up spending on installation, light kits, etc. will depend on whether or not your existing wiring allows for another fixture, which type of fan you want, the wattage needed by the fan, what extras are included in any kits (light kit, remote control), etc.
Finally, how well they keep your basement cool depends on how humid it gets in the room and what season you are using them.
Step 7: Lightings
How well lights help keep your basement cool depends on the type you get. How much you need to spend will depend on how many, their wattage needs, and any extras you want/need (remote control, timers, etc.).
How often you’ll need to install them depends on whether or not your current wiring allows for another fixture (each light fixture has a maximum wattage it can use). How humid it gets in the room also affects how well they work because bright lights make people hot.
Step 8: Make Sure there’s Proper Ventilation.
To keep your basement from getting too stuffy, you need to ensure that outside air comes inside and replaces hot air generated by people moving around living their daily lives. How you go about doing this depends on whether or not your house already has a system of vents set up throughout the house for this purpose.
How often you’ll need to check if the vents aren’t working correctly (blocked by something) will depend on how many people live in the house and how humid it gets in the room overall.
Step 9: Portable Air Conditioner
If all else fails, you can invest in a portable air conditioner for your basement. How much you should drop on one will depend on how big your basement is and whether or not there are windows (in which case you’ll need an alternative form of ventilation).
How often you should turn it on needs to be factored in based on the size of the unit; bigger units will require less frequent usage than smaller ones. Finally, how humid it gets depends on where in the room the air conditioner is placed and what other ventilation systems are being used. These steps will help in how to keep basement cool in summer.
Tips and Warnings
Tips:
- Be sure to use the curtains and blinds to block out any sunlight
- Keep a fan on at all times in your basement, even if it is winter. This will keep air circulating and prevent mold from growing too quickly.
- An air conditioning unit is also a good idea for the hottest summer days. An AC unit with a dehumidifier will also help remove any humidity from your basement, allowing it to feel more relaxed.
- If you have a crawlspace instead of a full basement, then you need different strategies for keeping cool in summer. A crawlspace is not protected from extreme temperatures the way a basement is, so if your crawlspace is exposed to direct sunlight or high heat, it will get hotter faster and stay hot longer.
Warnings:
- Be careful when adding insulation. Insulation can make it harder for your basement to cool in summer and warm in winter, and in hot conditions, this will keep the temperature in your basement the same as outside, which is not what you want. If you add insulation, be sure that it has a poor R rating (around R1) and does not cover most of the windows or block any vents.
- If your crawlspace doesn’t have ventilation at the top of the walls, then you should NOT insulate them with anything else. This will quickly cause mold to grow, which will ruin everything stored down there.
- If you have an unfinished basement with exposed soil walls, then use grates to keep animals out, and be sure it has plenty of ventilation. Putting insulation on top of soil walls can also cause serious moisture problems because the insulation will prevent any water that does get into your basement from drying out naturally.
You Can Check It Out To Cover Basement Ceiling Insulation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Put an Air Conditioner in My Basement?
Unfortunately, the short answer is no, you cannot put an air conditioner in your basement.
There are a few reasons for this. First of all, basements are typically not designed to be heated and cooled, which is why an air conditioner would be ineffective. Additionally, basements are usually not built to withstand the weight of an AC unit – even if it’s only 10 pounds or so. If your basement is not properly prepared and insulated, an AC unit could cause serious damage to the structure.
So, bottom line – you cannot put an air conditioner in your basement. However, you can use a fan to help cool the room during hot weather. Fans are also a great way to circulate air throughout the home without electricity.
Can You Use a Portable Air Conditioner in a Basement?
While there are a few select models of portable air conditioners that can be used in basements, the majority of them aren’t designed for this purpose. In fact, some may even be dangerous if activated in a basement. This is because most portable ACs use freon, which is a chemical that can cause moisture and mold to form when it accumulates over time.
If you do need to use a portable AC in your basement, make sure to read the product label carefully and ensure that it is specifically approved for indoor use in basements. Additionally, consult with an expert before activating the unit so that you don’t risk any potential damage or safety hazards.
What Kind of AC Can I Use in a Basement?
In most cases, an AC unit can be used in a basement. However, you should take into account your specific needs and limitations when making this decision. One of the key factors to consider is how large and deep the basement is, as well as the type of construction that was used.
AC units work best when they are placed on high floors or in areas with good ventilation. Additionally, make sure that your AC unit has adequate insulation to avoid excessive heat loss during peak hours. And finally, check whether there are any restrictions or regulations regarding air ducts in basements before purchasing a unit.
Is There a Portable AC Without a Hose?
While there are a few portable AC units that do not have a hose, they tend to be more expensive and lack some of the features found in traditional AC units. For example, many of these portable ACs do not have filters or humidifiers, which can make them less effective at cooling down a room. Additionally, since these machines require an electricity connection to work, they may not be ideal for travel.
Conclusion
We hope this article on how to keep basement cool in summer was helpful. Of course, the best way to keep your basement cool in the summer is with insulation. You can also use a dehumidifier and install an air conditioner for more extreme scenarios.
Still, these are not as cost-effective or practical as insulating your home’s foundation from heat transfer. However, we have some great tips on how to get started, and we’re happy to help make sure that your family stays comfortable all summer long.
