A heat load calulation is a complex calculation that measures heat gained and lost from a building or room, and based on this calculation the proper HVAC system is recommended for that building or room. Choosing your HVAC system based on the heat load calculation will ensure that temperature is properly maintained, and will also keep your energy bills to the bare minimum.
When it comes to basements, a heat load calculation will consider variables including the material of the walls, the composite of the soil, the size of the basement, and the size and materials of the windows and doors. In this blog, we will provide reasons to consider getting a heat load calculation for your basement.
If you have a basement that is not being used as a room or floor of the house, it is recommended that you turn that basement into proper living quarters. Of course, you do not need to add bedrooms to the basement, but you can consider adding a gaming room or living room. There are a few important reasons why this is recommended. First, your basement will supply you, once in working order, with a large chunk of the added living real estate.
Secondly, it has been estimated that getting your basement in order will add significant value to the house: you can expect about a 70% return on your investment. Thirdly, turning your basement into living quarters will actually be about 25% cheaper than adding on to your current house. In any case, if you choose to upgrade your basement, you will need a proper HVAC unit installed, and thus one of the first steps will be to get a heat load calculation for that basement.
We must stress the importance of getting the heat load calculation and not simply passing over this step and installing an HVAC system. You have the option of either extending your current HVAC system into your basement or building a separate one. You also must choose the strength and precise build of that system. These decisions, however, ought to be made based on the heat load calculation for basements. You will need to know what the main causes of heat loss and heat gain are in the basement so that you can build your system accordingly. This will, as mentioned, ensure a proper temperature regulation as well as keep your energy bills as low as possible.
At Balanced Comfort, we look forward to assisting you with your next project no matter how large or small. Contact us today to find out more about our services.