If your home has a basement it has the potential for a new recreation room, additional bedrooms or a home office. Converting an unused basement can be a very efficient way of creating usable space in your home. But before you start installing floors and moving in furniture, here are some things you should consider:

Are You Dry?
Check for moisture problems and take care of them. Are downspouts draining properly? Does the earth outside of the foundation walls slope away from the house?
 
Permanent solutions can take time to implement. A good place to start is to talk to an independent home inspector who specializes in basement waterproofing. You will also want to consider installing a dehumidifier to keep your basement dry.

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Is Radon Present?
Moisture isn't the only thing that could be seeping into your basement. Test the radon levels in your home and employ steps to keep levels far below the EPA's action limit (4 pCi/L). It’s important for your family's health and required if you ever decide to sell your home.

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What's the Plan?
If you're going to spend the time and money to create usable space in your basement, make sure you plan it so it will actually get used.
 
Consider using the space for activities for which typical basement characteristics offer natural advantages. Lack of light may benefit a home theater or a dark room. The isolation helps create a sound break for a practice room for playing musical instruments or a teenager's hangout.
 
Basements usually offer ready access to things like water lines and heating and cooling ducts which makes adding bathrooms and kitchen spaces easier than elsewhere in the house. But keep in mind that if your basement is not already roughed in with necessary plumbing, installing these spaces will likely involve tearing up concrete flooring. It's a good idea to meet with a plumber before you start any work.

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Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?
A contractor who specializes in basement remodeling projects, an architect or an interior designer can help you get the most out of your basement space. They're typically familiar with the challenges and the opportunities. If you’re going the "do-it-yourself" route, make sure you do plenty of research first. Find out about building code and permit requirements where you live. Learn about the proper materials for use in basements. Don’t hesitate to hand off certain portions of the project to professionals if you don’t feel comfortable handling every thing yourself.

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Feel the Warmth?
Basements are typically cooler than the rest of the house, which means you’re going to want to make sure you can keep the space warm when needed. Does your existing furnace have the capacity to support heating the additional space? If not, you will need to consider putting in a bigger system or creating a secondary heating system. Depending on your situation, you may be able to install a gas fireplace or use a natural gas space heater. Both offer you the option of only heating the space when its in use.

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How’s Your Air Circulation?
Chances are there are few if any registers or vents installed in the basement, so add openings as necessary. You'll also need a return air duct. Make sure it’s located far from the furnace so it doesn’t draw dangerous exhaust fumes back into the house.

Install a carbon monoxide detector in your basement so that you'll have an early warning of any problems with the venting of the furnace or any other major appliances.

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Let There Be “Natural” Light
If you’re have a walk-out basement or if parts of the basement extend above the ground, add new windows, enlarge existing ones or replace an existing door with a sliding glass door to maximize the amount of natural light that comes in.

If that isn't possible, consider digging window wells. Because they can increase the odds of water problems, be sure to include waterproof covers on them.

If you’re concerned that adding windows might compromise your home’s security, use glass block instead of conventional windows. They still allow some natural light in but provide a much higher degree of security and privacy. But make sure you have at least one window that is easily removable that can be used as a means of escape.

Another option is to cut slots or other openings in your basement’s ceiling to the floor above. Positioned properly, this will allow natural light from the room above to flow into your basement and create an interesting design feature. You can also install windows in the interior walls between rooms in your basement so that natural light can reach interior spaces.

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Go for Height
Most floor-to-ceiling heights in basements are shorter than in the rest of the house. So when you add a floor and ceiling to a basement space, you lose even more height. To offset this, consider forgoing the ceiling and leaving joists and duct work exposed. Paint them a dark or bright color and let them stand out as design features.

If you want a finished ceiling, use drywall instead of a drop-style ceiling. This provides a natural room appearance instead of a basement look and may save some room height. Use floor lighting or recessed lightings so you don’t have to accent the ceiling’s lack of height with ceiling fixtures.

You can also use indirect lighting and light colored walls to make rooms appear higher and bigger than they are. Mirrors can also amplify and reinforce lighting effects.

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Think More About the Floor
Even the driest basement runs the risk of moisture. To avoid potential allergy problems and costly repairs, avoid using porous materials like carpet or real wood. You might even consider leaving your floor as finished concrete for a contemporary look. Just use rugs for comfort and warmth. They’re also a lot easier to change if you decide you want a different look in your basement space, and can easily be removed, cleaned and dried.
 
If you must have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider a low pile commercial or indoor/outdoor type. A variety of laminate flooring products are on the market that resist moisture while providing an attractive look.

For warmth and energy efficient, consider radiant floor heating. Radiant floor systems can be substantially more efficient than standard space and water heating systems. The unique combination of radiant technology and natural gas energy helps lower operating costs for budget-conscious homeowners. Learn more about radiant floor heating.

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Think about Energy Efficiency
Consider these tips for increasing the energy efficiency of your remodeled basement space:

• Seal air leaks and install vapor protection and insulation. 
• Wrap your water heater and six feet of piping to save energy. 
• Install an ENERGY STAR labeled heating and cooling system if you're replacing your existing system. 
• Seal your ducts in unconditioned spaces are properly sealed. 
• Install ENERGY STAR labeled lighting to save money and energy, no matter what the space will be used for. 
• Install ENERGY STAR labeled windows, doors, and skylights to save money and energy and increase your comfort. 
• Make sure the dryer is properly ventilated if your laundry room is in the basement. Consider a clothes washer with the ENERGY STAR label for optimum cleaning that uses less water and energy to operate. 
• If your remodeled basement will include a home office, look for the ENERGY STAR label when choosing computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, copiers, scanners, and multi-function devices. 
• If you're adding a home theater or entertainment system, look for the ENERGY STAR label on TVs, DVD players, home audio products and other electronics. Typically, these items use almost the same amount of energy whether off or on, but ENERGY STAR labeled home electronics power down to require only a few watts when turned off.

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We Can Do It All For You!
PSNC Energy's experts can handle it all for you, from helping you find just the right appliances for your newly remodeled kitchen or bath to installing them properly and safely.

Click here to see examples of the products available from PSNC Energy. We can also install and repair appliances, even if you didn't buy them from us.
 
For more information or to schedule appliance repair service, call toll-free
1-866-546-5369 today. Free in-home estimates are available for installations.

PSNC Energy appliance sales, installation, maintenance, and repair are not a part of the regulated services offered by PSNC Energy and are not in any way sanctioned by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. There is no advantage to customers of PSNC Energy if they buy these products or services from PSNC Energy. A customer does not have to buy such products or services in order to continue to receive the same safe and reliable natural gas service from PSNC Energy.