Is it ok that the basement is warmer than the rest of the house?

[Anonymous]

I thought basements were always cooler than the main and upstairs levels of homes. We've been in our current home (1970s era) for almost a year and that seems to have been the case for this calendar year. During the hot temperatures this year, the basement was regularly 2-3 degrees cooler than the rest of the house. Now with the milder temperatures, and the a/c not running as often, the basement is 2-3 degrees warmer than the rest of the house.

I'm not complaining because it makes the basement pretty comfortable (you don't have to wear a sweatshirt like usual) but I've never been in a home where that's the case and I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this?

[Anonymous]

Without any HVAC or mechanical interventions the basement should stay a constant temperature. If your upstairs is changing temperature then there is a possibility that the basement would be warmer.

In our house our basement is often warmer because the boiler in the basement puts off a fair amount of heat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Without any HVAC or mechanical interventions the basement should stay a constant temperature. If your upstairs is changing temperature then there is a possibility that the basement would be warmer.

In our house our basement is often warmer because the boiler in the basement puts off a fair amount of heat.

This makes sense now that I think about it. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Normal. Basement is surrounded by soil (vs. air) so it's less susceptible to temperature swings.

[Anonymous]

Ours also heats up from the furnace and the dryer.

[Anonymous]

A basement basically has a R value = to O. Should stay pretty constant. When AC isn't running I notice mine heats up a bit due to a dehumidifier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A basement basically has a R value = to O. Should stay pretty constant. When AC isn't running I notice mine heats up a bit due to a dehumidifier.

+1

The dehumidifier warms mine up too.