Stove in the basement is not an unusual idea. However, one may worry about the safety and how it could react if not taken care of properly. You may need to consider a few important factors when installing a stove in a place like that.
If you plan to get a stove in your basement, you can go through our article. We will be discussing if it is a feasible idea or not.
Can I put a stove in my basement?
It is possible to install a stove in the basement. Nevertheless, you may need masonry or a prefabricated metal chimney. It is to vent combustion gases safely. Also, the stovepipe should rate for temperature up to 2100 degrees. It is because the chimney fire may produce such a temperature.
Table of Contents
The first thing you need to ensure is proper ventilation. Unfortunately, many below stair-level rooms have poor ventilation. It could create issues or even accidents if neglected.
Again, keep the room equipped with essential equipment such as extinguishers. Moreover, an excellent idea would be to place a heat-efficient stove.
Here we are introducing four different types of stoves to find out if it is possible to install them in a basement.
Woodstove:
Wood stoves are well-known for they help keep the home toasty during chilly winter. They are easy to install. It is also practicable to place it in the house basement. However, the stove needs to be heat efficient. Also, adopt safety measures.
Nevertheless, many do not agree with the idea. Well, it would not be a wise step if the basement is unfinished. Wood stoves in a basement may over-fire or smolder without anyone noticing.
Pellet stove:
Pellet ovens are one of the best options to be installed in a basement. Since the lowest floors of the house are the hardest to keep warm. Pellet oven in a basement help with the basement and upper floors toasty
It happens due to the convection method. You may not need to rely completely on your chief heating system.
Even if the basement isn’t too big, you can work it out. However, the unfinished basement may take up about one-third of the heat.
Gas stove:
When installing a gas oven in the basement, you need to be extra cautious. Also, let the professional team help instead, you plan to do a DIY.
Make sure you have enough ventilation. So if gas leaks, it will not get trapped inside and cause a massive accident.
Electric stove:
An electric stove in a basement is a good idea. However, you need proper clearances. Also, make sure the wiring is done properly. If not, you may end up with electrocution or other related accident.
4 reasons why you can put a stove in the basement –
Placing a stove in the basement area is a feasible idea. Here’s why you can put a stove in a basement.
Safe to use:
The stove in the basement area is safe to build. All you need to do is take appropriate protective actions. Ensure proper ventilation, select a safe place, and adopt other safety measures to avoid accidents.
You may opt for installing the stove beside the window. It will allow you to have access to enough ventilation when needed. Also, you must include a range hood either masonry or a prefabricated metal chimney.
Easy installation:
The process of installing a stove in the basement is straightforward. With a little knowledge, you too can build the following DIY methods.
However, some processes can be a bit difficult. It is when you need expert supervision. An electric oven, for instance, may take more effort and perhaps is more complicated comparatively.
Keep the house warm:
Having a stove in the basement gives you the privilege of having a warm house. It could heat the upper floors keeping the house toasty throughout chilly weather. The wood burner and a pellet burner are most useful in such scenarios.
Practical idea:
With a basement stove, you can avoid cooking near the rooms you have for resting and other purposes. It could help avoid odor from spreading. It also allows more privacy when you work. You can also set up a whole kitchen there with proper measures.
What happens when you put a stove in the basement?
Even though many may disagree with placing a stove in a basement, it is a common scenario. With precautions and proper installation putting an oven is not a problem. However, the unfinished basement is a poor location to position a stove.
The positive outcome you may get from installing a stove in the basement would be you can get heat circulating both in the basement and on the upper floor. Especially a pellet stove is a good choice as it helps your entire home keep warm.
Other positive aspects would be you can keep the kitchen detached from the other rooms. Hence, avoid having an odor, stickiness from oil, and others.
The negative aspect will arise mostly from the poor construction of the stove in the basement. Lack of proper ventilation may also create issues. The gas stove can cause serious accidents such as combustion if gas gets trapped.
How to install a stove in your basement?
Here’s step by step on how to place a stove in your basement. We will be covering the process of a wood stove.
Select place:
Put the stove near the window or ventilation. Place the stove at least 3 to 4 feet away from the closet wall to avoid overheating the wall.
Follow the code:
There will be specific building codes and regulations on using a wood burner in a basement and electric and plumbing lines.
Things we need:
chimney camp, tee support pipes, pipe supports, Actual tee, Tools (Sawzall, caulk silicone, nails, hammers, ladder)
Exterior installation
Cut hole:
Cut a hole first on the exterior wall using the sawzall. It would be just above the window to fit the triple wall pipe. You can make a frame out of boards or woods for the hole.
Install:
Fit the triple wall pipe on the mouth of the hole outside. Use screws to secure it on the walls.
Lay down the rest of the pipes above until it reaches the roof. Secure them with frames and screws.
Indoor installation
Retrofit wall:
Install a 24 gauge metal sheeting. It will go over the combustible wall. Keep 1-inch non-flammable space for a buffer zone.
Pipe installation:
Place the stove. Now take pipes and start with fitting on the stove. Gradually, go above and join them with the hole and the outer pipes. It will create a smoke gateway. There should not be any leakage.
Check the fittings once again. Your stove will be ready to operate.
Will a wood stove in the basement heat the house?
A house can get heated from the stove placed in the basement. It happens because heat rise above and then circulates gradually. Therefore, putting a heat source at the lower level is a good idea. With that in mind, the basement would be an excellent choice.
A pellet stove, for example, when put in a basement, could potentially heat your upper floors. Moreover, the woodstove also spreads heat and circulates the house. It is all due to the convection process.
However, placing a stove in the basement may come with myriads of drawbacks as well. If the basement is underdeveloped, you may lose a lot of heat through the walls. Apart from having proper ventilation, you also need to make sure the walls are insulated enough.
Once again, keep the doors and windows open for a brief period at least.
How do I circulate the heat from my wood stove in my basement?
There are ways you can let the heat from the woodstove of the basement circulate your house. Here are some possible ideas.
Stove placement
A wood stove in the basement will allow heat to circulate all around your house. It is because the heat tends to rise above and then flow. Also, placing it in the middle of the house is a good idea.
Better Insulation
Your walls should have proper insulation. If your basement is underdeveloped, you may end up losing heat. Ensure that the walls are thick enough and well-built. Again you can use curtains to add to the insulation. Also, keep the door and windows closed, occasionally keeping them open.
Using Fans
It may be an old practice but a good one. With a fan, you can help the air rotate around, thus helping the heat to circulate the house. Pick a bigger size fan instead of a small one.
Final Thoughts
Putting a stove in a basement is possible. It keeps your home warm along with other benefits. Nonetheless, if you install it without proper precautions or do not take care properly, you may end up with accidents. Ensure appropriate ventilation, construction, and insulation of the basement area.