Transcript
LESLIE: Tom in Pennsylvania has an insulation question. How can we help you today?
TOM IN PENNSYLVANIA: Yeah, hi. I have a – about a 90-year-old frame home. It’s two-story. And I was wondering if it would be economically and energy-feasibly to insulate the ceiling of my basement.
TOM: Well, why do you want to do that? What are you trying to achieve? Is it noise? Is it energy efficiency?
TOM IN PENNSYLVANIA: (overlapping voices) No, no. Just for – to conserve natural gas with a forced-air furnace.
TOM: Is the basement a finished space?
TOM IN PENNSYLVANIA: It’s not a finished basement; it’s the old-style basement with the, you know, stone walls and it’s got a concrete floor.
TOM: Mm-hmm. Well, if you insulate the floor or the ceiling above the basement, it’s going to make the first floor a little bit warmer so it’ll be a little more comfortable. If you’re concerned about noise, it’s not a smart thing to do. If you’re concerned about, you know, insulating the basement, it doesn’t help. But if it’s the first floor, it’ll make it a little bit warmer and if you’re not planning on finishing the basement, I see no reason not to do it.
TOM IN PENNSYLVANIA: OK, because – and that’s also where my thermostat is located, is on my first floor.
TOM: Yes. You will have some energy – if it’s an unfinished space under the house, you know, I’d give you the same advice if it was over a crawlspace. If it’s an unfinished, unheated space, you can insulate it.
TOM IN PENNSYLVANIA: OK. Alright. Very good. OK. Thanks so much.
TOM: You’re welcome, Tom. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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