Basement is extremely warm

Question

small 1930's cape. Basement is insulated but it is very very Warm in summer and cold in winter which is not how it should be. Any ideas why I would have such a warm basement. I thought they were supposed to stay cool, especially in summer. I also notice the room above the furnace is very hot as well. Should I shut off gas furnace for the summer? Thanks

Answer 1

A negative pressure in the basement could be causing hot air from attic or from outdoors to be drawn into the room.

A draft from the chimney or leaks in return air ductwork if your furnace is being used for air conditioning.

A return vent or leak without supply registers in the same area will create an imbalance and draw air in from wherever it can.

Answer 2

YES SHUT OFF FURNACE.  BASEMENT SHOULD BE COOL IN SUMMER.  YOU WILL SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU SHUT OFF FURNACE.

Answer 3

Is the water heater in the basement as well? If it is electric it might need a blanket on it. And insulating the hot water pipes helps as well.

I think you need to determine the source of the heat. You might consider a laser thermometer. Those you can shine around and find the hot and cool spots.

The pilot does put off a little heat but it should not be significant.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Obviously something is not right. Is your basement all below ground or do you have one or more walls where you can walkout? There has to be some sort of heat such as chest freezer, refrigerator,etc. Your pilot light does not put out much heat, but I would shut your gas valve off to furnace anyway. Are you running your blower on furnace to circulate air - if so, maybe you have a register in the basement that is blowing out some of this air. Try to think if you have made any changes that might reflect why basement is warmer.

Check all your gas appliances that are in the basement, water heater, furnace, do you have a gas dryer down there?

Is sun beating in through some basement windows?

Heat rises as we all know - so this is puzzling.

Answer 5

Why would anyone run a furnace in the summer?   To make it warmer in the winter ....remove old window and replace with glass blocks with smaller windows ......all but one window that should be used as an emergency exit....