How Important Is Basement Heat Loss?
Most homeowners don’t think of their basement as a prime source of heat loss, yet basements can account for 20 to 35 percent of a home’s total heat loss. Basements lose so much heat because of the large, uninsulated surface area both above and below grade level. Contrary to popular opinion, earth is a poor insulator. There is also a lot of air leakage through basement windows and penetrations, through cracks, and at the top of the foundation wall (sill area). Few basements have any insulation at all, and for most homeowners this means there is much potential for improvement. Insulation can often be tied in with other repair or renovation work, such as damp-proofing or finishing the basement. Types of Basement Construction The most common type of basement is the full foundation basement. It may or may not be finished or be considered a living space. Full foundations can be made of many different materials, as described below. Many houses have been built with a partial depth foundation t
