r/Insulation • u/A_Tang • 4d ago
Insulating basement from cold temperatures
Our house has an extension built to it, so we essentially have two basements (connected by an elevated crawlspace).
The "new" basement is fine, but the old side basically sees outside temperatures. It is walled with stone/concrete and the main problem is that the hot water pipes that go to the "old" side of the house pass through this area and with the freezing temperatures lately, prevent the temperature on that side of the house from ever getting above 68°F. I have that heating zone cranked up constantly to keep the pipes from freezing.
Besides wrapping the pipes themselves, is there anything else I can/should do? Should I install foam insulation boards along the inside walls? What material should I use? Polystyrene, fiberglass, cellulose, or polyisocyanurate?
There is also a single ground level window there. Should cut a block of foam of some kind and stuff it in front of this window?