If there’s any room in a house that is prone to humidity, moisture problems and mold, it’s the basement. Proper ventilation is the key to keeping odors and water damage at bay.

How do you get fresh air in your basement?

Forced air systems include fans and dehumidifiers that use electrical power to remove stale air from the basement, supply dry, fresh air from outside, and regulate moisture in the space. These methods vary in size, from small window fans placed in a small opening to huge exhaust fans with ventilation pipes.

Why does my basement have a vent?





The importance of venting your basement is a building science myth that leads to rot, mold, musty odors, and high utility bills. For several decades, there has been a push from builders and contractors to ventilate below grade spaces with outside air. This includes designing vents into crawl spaces and basements.

How do you ventilate a basement without windows?

Ventilating a Basement Without a Window (9 Practical Tips)

  1. Install an Exhaust Fan in the Basement.
  2. Employ a Mixed Ventilation Strategy.
  3. Keep the Basement Door Open.
  4. Put Vents by the Basement Door.
  5. Turn on the Whole House Ventilation.
  6. Use Standard Fans or Install Ceiling Fans.
  7. Convert Your Old Furnace Chimney Into a Vent.

Should I run a fan in my basement?

Using a fan in the basement in the summer is not advised since it may draw in the air from the rest of the house and outdoors and create more humidity (see Reference 1). A heater used in the summer would only make the basement hotter and cause more condensation once it is shut off.

Should you open windows in basement?

Always Shut Basement Windows
It could mean downtime and disruption to your normal life. Moisture buildup can also damage your floor covering and insulation. Your air conditioner will suck this moist air through the subfloor. When this air gets into the rest of the house, it will warp your wood floors too.

How do I purify the air in my basement?





Are you wondering how to improve air quality in the basement? There are several ways. Use an air purifier, dry the moisture out, keep windows closed, seal cracks and gaps, remove VOC’s, test for radon, and monitor carbon monoxide.

Should I keep basement vents open in winter?

Air vents should be open to prevent damage
Increased air pressure can create cracks and holes in the ductwork. It can also cause your furnace’s heat exchanger to crack. Leave all air vents open to prevent extensive damage to your home’s heating system this winter.

How can I get more oxygen in my basement?

If you want to increase oxygen levels in your home, install a fan or filter, or add some indoor plants. Try to open your windows for a few minutes 3 times a day, even in winter. This helps to circulate fresh, oxygen-rich air around your home.

Can living in a basement make you sick?

Mold is the leading cause of poor indoor air quality in basements and can have dire effects on your health. In fact, in about 80% of “sick building syndrome” cases, where poor air quality spreads, mold infestations (black mold and other types) are the main cause of illness.

How do you ventilate a basement in the winter?



Close External Vents
If they are left open, then cold, unconditioned air will be free to flow into your home. Cold air likes to sink, so it will mostly stay in your basement once let in through the external vents.

Is a fan better than a dehumidifier?

If you really want to remove moisture from your home effectively than a dehumidifier is a right choice. While a fan can take up less space and give you fresh air, it won’t actually remove moisture and, as explained above, can actually make a dampness problem worse if you’re living in a home with air conditioning.

Will a fan help prevent mold in basement?

Does Your Fan Help Prevent Mold? Fans indeed reduce a room’s moisture levels by improving air circulation. Mold needs moisture to thrive. So, by using a fan, you make it harder for fungus to grow in your home.

Is it healthy to live in a basement?



Basements have features that expose the people living in them to certain risk factors, like mould, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and radon. Risk of flooding, sewer backup, etc.

How often should you let fresh air into house?

It’s recommended that you do so once a day, for at least five minutes. Fifteen to 20 minutes is preferable. However, when you open them is also important. Keep them open at night or in the early morning, when the weather is cooler.

Should you keep basement door closed?

Closing the door is the best option for a uninsulated basement that becomes as cold as the air and ground outdoors. With the door open, the house’s main-level thermostat will sense the drop in temperature as the cool air from the basement circulates throughout the house.

Does cold air rise from basement?

Some of the coldest air found in your home tends to be in the basement. When this cold air rises, it is drawn across the floor of the main level, causing cold feet and other comfort problems. To battle this, you could wear really warm socks–but you could also heat your basement.

Should you close basement door in summer?



Yes, you should! A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air in the room. So, keeping the basement door closed when using a dehumidifier is a must. When the basement door is open, constant warm moist air will flow into the house.

How cold is too cold for a basement?

If you have properly insulated your finished basement, you shouldn’t experience temperatures lower than 60°F. The finished floors and walls will not get as cold as exposed concrete.

Should you run a dehumidifier in the basement in the winter?

You should only run a dehumidifier in your basement in the wintertime if the room maintains a high relative humidity. To monitor the relative humidity in your basement, hang a humidistat (sometimes called a hygrometer) on the wall. It works like a thermometer, constantly measuring the relative humidity in the room.

Does heating your basement keep your house warmer?

It’s looking at the heating bill! You should heat your unfinished basement. If you have cold floors, then insulating the basement ceiling will help the most. Once insulated, heating an unfinished basement will help warm your whole home.