Why Insulating Basement Walls Is So Important

Many homeowners seem to consider the basement of their home to be separate from the rest of the dwelling. And while it is “down there” and sometimes isn’t used for very much, many of the same rules that apply to the rest of the house are still in play. For instance, insulation is just as important “down there” as it is on the main floor or in the attic.  Many homeowners and even contractors never even consider insulating basement walls, but it’s an important step for a handful of reasons.

Heat Loss

Everyone insulates the main walls of their home to protect against heat loss, but did you know that a good portion of that heat loss could come from the basement? It is estimated that up to a whopping 35 percent of the total heat loss that occurs in your home might be coming from your basement. Heat loss reduces the comfort level in your home, makes your furnace work harder and results in higher energy bills.  Seeing that inflated number on your heating bill every month is enough to make you go crazy, especially if you know there is something you can do about it.
 
If you don’t insulate your basement walls, cracks in the foundation or uneven concrete in the basement walls can draw the heat right out of the house.
Allowing heat to be sucked out of the basement also isn’t the most eco-friendly practice in the world of home ownership. Every time that furnace clicks on because of heat loss from the basement, your “green” status slips a little farther away.

Mold & Mildew

When you make insulating basement walls a priority, you also have the opportunity to keep moisture out of your basement.  Mold and mildew can make your basement an unpleasant place to be, especially for people who have allergies or are sensitive to that sort of thing. In reality, it isn’t healthy to have mold anywhere in your home, including the basement. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, your house is more susceptible to moisture in the basement, and consequently mold in the basement.
When you install basement insulation panels made from expanded polystyrene, it keeps heat in and moisture out, so you don’t have to concern yourself with mold and mildew.

More Living Space

If you happen to be someone who doesn’t really use the basement for much other than storage, insulatingbasement walls can expand the size of your house. By adding the insulation, you’ll make the space comfortable and reduce the dampness, paving the way to finish the basement.
 
Increasing your available living space by finishing the basement can almost make it seem like you have a whole new house. You can use the space for extra bedrooms, a family rec room, office space, or even rent it out to earn extra income. Whatever you choose to do, insulating the basement walls is the first step to making it a useable space.
 
Insulating basement walls not only saves money, but also saves energy. Look to the basement wall insualtion experts at ARXX Corporation – ReFIT, for professional basement insulation methods.