Electric Cove Heater in Basement...

[fish specialist]

I am remodeling my basement and would like to install electric cove heat in a couple of rooms. Has anyone had any experience with these units and does anyone have recommendations for how large of a unit one should have in the room? One recommendation I have from a company is 10 watts per square foot. Anybody have any comments??

[BobT]

10w per square foot is usually a good starting point used when calculating for an 8' ceiling with up to date insulation. It varies from there.

Bob

[fish specialist]

Thanks Bob. I was hoping you'd comment on this subject. Do you think these units are efficient at heating a room?

[fastkaw]

BobT is right on.

After that it's all about the insolation in the walls and getting read of the rely

crappie windows that are in most basements.

Do you have forced air system now?

DISCLAIMER: i am in no way an expert, at anyting. anything i say is my own opinion and/or observation, and should never be regarded as fact, unless otherwise stated.

[fish specialist]

We do have a forced air system, and there are a couple of vents in the basement, but from my understanding it is difficult to use the forced air system to heat the basement. Plus, our thermostat is upstairs, so we'd probably have to jack up the heat in order to make it comfortable down there.

[BobT]

Don't know much about the heating units themselves but remember, electric heat is 100% efficient (well 99+). If you install the appropriate size unit it will do the job. Determining the appropriate size can be tricky due to the heat retention ability of the room as fastkaw pointed out.

One would think that basements would be easy to heat but my own experience has taught me otherwise. I may be wrong but I've come to the conclusion that cement block is a poor insulator and the windows are probably worse. With that said, I believe it would be beneficial to insulate the basement.

Maybe someone with more knowledge can help out.

Bob

[fish specialist]

The basement walls are insulated (or will be insulated) and the windows are newer. So it seems the electric heat will work well when done.

[fastkaw]

About 80% of the time adding a return air duct at floor level will take care

of a cool basement. Just put a register on it (not a grill) so you can close it

in the summer (when you are using the A/C) You may need two depending

on the sq.ft. of the basement.

Ask A heating contractor to look at the job before you start to remodel.

It's a lot cheeper to pay for some duct work once, then paying the

electric bill every month. You already have a furnace right?

Estaminets are free were I come from. Tell the HVAC guy how you intend to

use the basement. Full time, part time, family room, game room, xxx room.

What type of lights you are going to use.

If you just tell him you would like some heat down there he will give you just

that. (and no more). Be up front with him. You will get a lot better job, and

a worm basement to.

DISCLAIMER: i am in no way an expert, at anyting. anything i say is my own opinion and/or observation, and should never be regarded as fact, unless otherwise stated.