How does my basement affect my home’s energy efficiency?

Did you know your basement plays an extremely important part in your home’s energy efficiency? A properly insulated and maintained basement is essential to a home that’s warm and dry, and it’s one of the best bang-for-your-buck upgrades you can get through Clean Energy Financing (CEF). Here’s what you need to know.

How to tell if your basement needs upgrades

There are a few signs to look out for when deciding if your basement needs some attention. Most of them will need to be fixed before to the basement. Any moisture or bulk water leakage in your basement could impact new insulation installed in these areas. If you’re living in an older home that has bare or uninsulated walls in the basement, this is a sign that it needs some attention.

Why does basement insulation have such a big effect on a home?

In Nova Scotian homes, most of the heat and air leakage occurs in the basement foundation walls and headers. Cold outdoor air entering through these gaps, forcing heating equipment to work hard which impacts their efficiency. The better the insulation is in the basement, the more airtight the house is.

What insulation works best in a basement?

There are a few types of insulation that work well in basements. They are:

• Closed cell spray foam – Great for uneven surfaces, like older homes with stone foundations that have lots of air leakage. It’s also good for basements with moisture issues.
• Rigid board – Effective in small basements because it doesn’t take up much space. It works best in basements with even surfaces on the walls.
• Batt insulation – This option requires the installation of a wood frame wall, so it’s best for homes with dry basements.

Does it matter if my basement is finished or unfinished?

If your basement has drywall installed, there’s a good chance it’s already insulated. However, a Home Energy Advisor can check in their assessment by removing an electrical outlet cover and using a wooden skewer rod to check insulation levels.

An unfinished basement with uninsulated bare concrete, concrete block or stone/rubble walls is perfect for the CEF program. With basements like this there is an opportunity to insulate and air seal without the extra cost of having to remove existing drywall or other finishes.