Building an energy-efficient basement in your home will obviously save you a lot of money long-term. However, there are several other benefits to renovating your current basement into an energy-efficient one. Many factors also influence what type of energy-efficient upgrades you should install. For this reason, we have compiled our expertise into listing the advantages of having an eco-friendly basement and the considerations to keep in mind. Read on to learn how to make your basement more energy efficient.
The Importance of an Energy-Efficient Basement
By installing an energy-efficient basement, you join the positive movement to help the environment in the long run. Aside from that, many lifestyle benefits come with it. Installing energy-efficient appliances and using green materials allows you to save significant money on your energy bill. How much money? On average, an insulated basement will save you $300-$500 a year in addition to the environmental benefits that come with it.
Furthermore, making your basement energy-efficient means you create a safer environment to live in. Mould and mildew are health hazards that can grow in your basement. Many people suffer respiratory issues as a result of exposure to mould and mildew. When you renovate your basement to be energy efficient, you eliminate the moisture that causes these dangerous growths. As a result, you get a basement that is up to health standards.
Energy-Efficient Materials
To fully understand how we construct an energy-efficient basement, we’ve listed a breakdown of the different materials we use to make it all possible.
Insulated Walls
Insulate your basement walls using thick, high-density foam insulation. To avoid mould and rotting of panels, we recommend organic, non-toxic materials. Many basement renovation contractors will use either wood or metal framing, but we don’t recommend this as it will eventually lead to a damp basement environment.
Addressing air leaks is another factor that contributes to an environmentally safe basement. Most people have large holes either in their basement or attic that leak outside air into your home. It’s important that you seal those gaps before anything else. These efforts highly increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Energy-Efficient Windows
Basements are an afterthought for most homeowners, and as a result, contractors tend to install low quality windows. These windows can be damaging to your home as they allow cold drafts in and heat out. Moreover, you can invest in double thermopane glass and have a 100% vinyl frame. The average window uses wood or metal, which promotes mould growth and rusting, so consider alternative options in this case.
Basement Flooring
Having a warm flooring surface in your basement is essential if you’ll be spending a lot of time in the basement. Only about 1% of a home’s energy gets lost through the basement floor, which makes it not as advantageous as installing insulated walls.However, it is still vital to install high-quality flooring to prevent rotting by ideally adding an insulated subfloor. This process creates a thermal break between the cold concrete and the surface, creating a comfortable floor temperature for all materials. Installing an insulated subfloor also prevents mould and mildew from growing in the basement.
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Next Basement Renovation
Check out our expert tips on how to make your basement energy efficient. We have listed the most important elements you should consider when renovating your basements.
Tip 1: Installing energy-efficient lighting
There’s not a lot of natural illumination in basements because, well, they are partially underground. Placing a large number of lights is essential. For the best energy-efficient results we suggest installing fluorescent bulbs. This is an inexpensive upgrade that will save you money in the long run.
Tip 2: Consider upgrading your appliances
Most people tend to put their older fridges, washing machines, etc. in the basement. While these appliances may still function, they are in no way energy efficient. We highly recommend switching to an Energy Star washer and dryer and a low-flow option toilet. These may be expensive upgrades, but the good thing is that you will notice the savings immediately.
Tip 3: Install an Energy Star Dehumidifier
Energy Star dehumidifiers use minimal energy to remove all the unwanted moisture from your basement. To maintain an eco-friendly environment for your home, having an Energy Star dehumidifier is crucial.
Although the cost of building an energy-efficient basement might deter homeowners from investing in it, think of the long-term benefits. It’s definitely a worthy investment. If you have any questions about energy-efficient renovations, reach out to a professional basement contractor.
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Energy Efficient Basement FAQs
Sample Description. Appliances and lighting are the first steps for up[grading your basement to make it energy-efficient. There are many other basement elements to look into. Contact a professional basement renovation expert to learn more.
Absolutely. You’ve come to the right place. We specialize in renovating and redesigning basements of all shapes and sizes. We can undoubtedly redesign your basement using our high-quality green materials to guarantee excellent energy-efficiency.
Insulating your basement walls makes the most difference if you want to make your basement more energy-efficient. Built-up moisture is one of the biggest contributors to poor energy-saving basements, so by installing quality insulation, you immediately eliminate moisture-related problems. As a result, you create a greener basement environment that saves you energy and money.
