If the basement is not used for "living space," is it more energy efficient to have basement vents closed - so only the upstairs is heated or air conditioned - or is more energy efficient to have them open - so that the basement "insulates" the upstairs? Should a system be sized for conditioning just the upstairs or sized for both the upstairs and basement, which can obviously double the air volume to condition in a one-story home?
Thank you very much.
Very interesting question!!! I am interested in the answers from the residential guys. What say you? I'm talking heat only. Of coarse, were not closing vents on the AC system.
Barry
Heating a basement will add to the overall operating cost. Yea sure, some of the heat will come up through the floor to help keep your floors warm and help heat the upstairs space. But you will also lose heat through the basement walls, floors, windows and doors. Whenever you increase the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperature the heat transfer increases. So it takes more energy to keep these spaces to temp. So the end result is increased operating cost. No two ways around it. The more space you heat, the more it is going to cost.
As far as cooling is concerned, do you want the basement conditioned? If not, why condition it? But to answer your question, if you don't want the basement conditioned... don't include it in your load calculation.
As to the "double air volume" comment, your basement is stuck in the ground. The ground temp is around 55 degrees F. The heat gain will come from appliances (in the basement) and the part that is above ground. For this reason, it takes much less to keep a basement cool.
NO
Thank you very much for your reply. It seems very logical and informative.
Other helpful replies still welcome, too.
-- Please resp>> If the basement is not used for "living space," is it more energy
Interesting answer, considering my questions were "this or that" questions, not "yes or no" questions. ;)
-- Please resp> NO
YES
Is this better?
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