How to Keep Your Basement Warm in Winter
Basements in Atlanta homes are often the coldest areas of the house—especially during winter. Their below-ground location, limited sunlight, and exposure to concrete surfaces make them more difficult to heat and insulate. If you use your basement as a living area, storage space, home office, or entertainment room, improving comfort becomes essential for both lifestyle and energy efficiency.
As one of the most trusted Atlanta heating and air companies, Estes Services helps homeowners improve comfort with better insulation, air sealing, heating upgrades, and indoor air quality improvements. Below, we break down the best strategies for how to keep your basement warm in winter—and how to protect your home long term.
Improve Insulation Levels for Better Winter Comfort
Warm air escapes quickly through poorly insulated basement walls, floors, and ceilings. Because Atlanta homes fall within IECC Zone 3, recommended insulation values matter for maintaining heat.
Minimum insulation requirements include:
• R-13 cavity insulation
• R-5 insulated sheathing
• R-6 insulation on basement ductwork
To boost warmth and reduce heat loss, upgrade insulated sheathing to R-8 or higher and add additional insulation in wall cavities beyond R-13. Proper insulation not only keeps your living space warmer but also reduces the load on your heating and cooling systems.
If your basement struggles to stay warm even with heating, schedule an HVAC evaluation
Air Sealing Helps Stop Drafts and Cold Spots
Air leaks are one of the biggest reasons basements feel cold. Gaps around windows, doors, wiring penetrations, rim joists, and foundation connections allow cold air to enter and warm air to escape.
For effective air sealing, follow these recommendations:
• Use acrylic latex or silicone caulk for cracks smaller than ¼ inch
• Use expanding spray foam insulation for larger gaps (up to 3 inches)
• Seal rim joists—a major source of energy loss
• Inspect around egress windows, plumbing penetrations, and ductwork
Proper air sealing combined with insulation creates a more comfortable and energy-efficient basement and reduces the load on your home's heating system.
Improve comfort and efficiency with a professional home evaluation
Install the Right Flooring for a Warmer Basement
Bare concrete floors absorb heat and allow moisture to rise through the slab, leaving the basement feeling damp and cold. Tile or hardwood floors offer little help for retaining warmth.
Warmer flooring options include:
• Carpeting with padding
• Large, thick, removable area rugs
• Rubberized or insulated basement flooring tiles
These solutions help slow heat loss and make the entire space more comfortable, especially when used alongside other heating improvements.
Choose the Best Heating Option for Your Basement
There are several effective basement heating options depending on your home's layout and heating system.
Radiant Floor Heating Systems
A radiant floor heating system is one of the most comfortable and efficient ways to heat a basement. These systems can be hydronic (hot water) or electric, and they warm floors evenly while reducing cold spots. Radiant heating systems offer:
• Even heat distribution
• Warm, comfortable floors
• Improved energy efficiency
• Reduced airflow-related heat loss
If you're finishing a basement, radiant heat is one of the best long-term investments.
Extend Your Existing Heating System
If your furnace, boiler, or heat pump has enough capacity, your HVAC contractor can extend the system to serve the basement by adding new ductwork or registers. This solution keeps heat consistent throughout the home.
If your current system is too small to heat the added space, upgrading to a new heating and cooling system may be required.
Explore furnace and heat pump options:
estesair.com/heating
Consider a Ductless Mini-Split
For basements used as offices, gyms, or guest suites, a ductless mini-split system provides:
• Zoned heating control
• High efficiency
• Quiet operation
• No need for extending ductwork
Improve Indoor Air Quality While Heating Your Basement
Heating a confined, below-grade area can increase humidity and trap airborne particles, leading to comfort issues and mold growth. Proper ventilation and air filtration help maintain healthy indoor air while preventing moisture problems.
Estes Services offers indoor air quality solutions for basements, including:
• Whole-home dehumidifiers
• Air cleaners
• HEPA filtration
• Advanced ventilation systems
Keep Your Basement Warm This Winter with Estes Services
If you're unsure which improvements will be most effective in your home, Estes Services can help. Our licensed HVAC professionals can evaluate your basement, recommend the best heating upgrades, and ensure your HVAC systems operate efficiently all winter.
We provide heating solutions, insulation recommendations, and professional installation for:
• Furnaces
• Heat pumps
• Radiant systems
• Ductless mini-splits
• HVAC system expansions
Schedule a heating consultation
Estes Services has proudly served Metro Atlanta since 1949, helping homeowners stay comfortable and energy efficient through every season. It's That Easy; It's Estes!
