Using attic heat to warm up basement

MN Renovator · 11-19-13, 12:11 AM

Here's some results to the math.

Assumptions
Attic 85 degrees, Basement 62.5 degrees
Difference 22.5 degrees

Output 4860 BTUhr or about 1424 watts of space heater.
...but, this is ONLY when the temperature difference was that big, which wasn't for a very long time.

"70-80deg F attic air @ 200 CFM"
65 degree basement and 80 degree attic air
3240 BTUhr

65 basement and 60 degree attic air...IMHO, don't bother running the fan.

Once your roof has snow on it, its endgame. If the attic is still holding a temperature warmer than your basement once you have a layer of snow on it, you are better off spending some money sealing it up and insulating rather than pumping the warm air that used to be in your house back into the basement.

11-19-13, 12:11 AM	#11
MN Renovator Less usage=Cheaper bills Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 939 Thanks: 41 Thanked 116 Times in 90 Posts	Here's some results to the math. Assumptions Attic 85 degrees, Basement 62.5 degrees Difference 22.5 degrees Output 4860 BTUhr or about 1424 watts of space heater. ...but, this is ONLY when the temperature difference was that big, which wasn't for a very long time. "70-80deg F attic air @ 200 CFM" 65 degree basement and 80 degree attic air 3240 BTUhr 65 basement and 60 degree attic air...IMHO, don't bother running the fan. Once your roof has snow on it, its endgame. If the attic is still holding a temperature warmer than your basement once you have a layer of snow on it, you are better off spending some money sealing it up and insulating rather than pumping the warm air that used to be in your house back into the basement. Last edited by MN Renovator; 11-19-13 at 12:16 AM..