Is it ok to cover all vents in the basement?

[rdx]

I recently installed the AC, and notice that the rooms upstairs can be warm (or even hot) while the basement is freezing cold. Is it ok to cover all 3 vents in the basement and force the air to go up? I know some of you mentioned that we should not cover all vents in the basement, but my basement is “Open to above” without door, so I assume the air circulation can still come from the open staircase even the vents are covered. What do you guys think?

I also notice that one of my vents on the 2nd floor hallway does not have air coming out when the AC is on (while all other vents in bedrooms do have air coming out).
I am thinking if that vent duct is blocked somehow by something? Or is it because I closed the vent on main floor which is below this vent on hallway, and they shared one air duct, so no air could go up from there?? Any clue?

[Blackjack]

I close all of my basement vents( X5 ). Some air does get passed the closed vents....for the vent that has no air flowing---maybe a closed damper? You might also try those cheap air filters for better air circulation. Cooled air is heavier than heated air, therefore harder to move.

[rdx]

Do those magetic vent cover work well? Would they fall ?

[ynot]

It's common for higher floors to be warmer as cold air is heavier than warm air and will fall. If you have an open stairway, you could use a ceiling fan to bring the air up.

[vidhoo21]

Same situation as you. First we closed all vents in the basement with a construction paper and duct tape.When we measured the humidity it was 95%. Just after opening these vents, humidity dropped to 80% in 3 days

If it is unfinished basement and a new house, check the humidity level. If you have a dehumidifier, close all the vents. Thats what I'm going to do. I also find that my bedroom gets less cooler than my main floor level.

[rdx]

Same situation as you. First we closed all vents in the basement with a construction paper and duct tape.When we measured the humidity it was 95%. Just after opening these vents, humidity dropped to 80% in 3 days

If it is unfinished basement and a new house, check the humidity level. If you have a dehumidifier, close all the vents. Thats what I'm going to do. I also find that my bedroom gets less cooler than my main floor level.

I actually installed a humidifier attached to the furnace. And installer told me that I don't need to turn on the humidifier in summer (and I can't as it only works with the furnace in winter) as the AC will act as the dehumidifier when it is on. (yes, I do see water coming out from the AC tube wheneve it is running)

[sunnybono]

I live in a fairly new home. I have closed all the vents in the basement not with just the dampers, but I also taped it up with painters tape. I did however leave the return air in the basement open. As for the first floor, I closed more than 1/2 of the vents and the 1st floor still reamins cool. Now I get some decent air pressure up in all of the 4 bedrooms. As for filter I buy the EM pleated ones that cost under $6 at Rona and change them every month.

If you have a good handle on the dust control in your home, try removing the filter all together for one day so that there is no restriction on air flow to see if that cools the house sooner!!!!

sk

[threeflags]

Do those magetic vent cover work well? Would they fall ?

Works well. Not 100% as the 2 screws that holds the vent cover to the mount prevents that magnetic cover from covering it 100%. My vent are on the ceiling in the basement. Then in the winter, you can easily remove it. Use it in the summer with little fuss.

[JAC]

Same situation as you. First we closed all vents in the basement with a construction paper and duct tape.When we measured the humidity it was 95%. Just after opening these vents, humidity dropped to 80% in 3 days

If it is unfinished basement and a new house, check the humidity level. If you have a dehumidifier, close all the vents. Thats what I'm going to do. I also find that my bedroom gets less cooler than my main floor level.

95%? That's pretty close to rain.

I'm guessing you don't have AC.

[gta1216]

our basement is a half basement (finished) with only 1 vent, but is freezing cold while the rest of the house is much warmer. the bedroom on the upper floor is the warmest that even when i sit on the floor right next to the vent, i dont feel much air.

since we havent moved in yet, the a/c is off when we leave the house each day/night. when we return the next morning or afternoon, the house temp is approx 82f or so. after holding the a/c at 45f (lowest it can go) for an hour or more, it finally drops to 70ish. whats the best way to force more cool air into the upper floors? no one will really use the basement, except for afternoon nap or exercise.

[Javeman]

our basement is a half basement (finished) with only 1 vent, but is freezing cold while the rest of the house is much warmer. the bedroom on the upper floor is the warmest that even when i sit on the floor right next to the vent, i dont feel much air.

since we havent moved in yet, the a/c is off when we leave the house each day/night. when we return the next morning or afternoon, the house temp is approx 82f or so. after holding the a/c at 45f (lowest it can go) for an hour or more, it finally drops to 70ish. whats the best way to force more cool air into the upper floors? no one will really use the basement, except for afternoon nap or exercise.

Is this a new house? When I moved into mine that was built only a few months ago, I found that a lot of the duct joints in the basement weren't sealed with that metallic tape so air was leaking out down there, probably the equivalent of like three vents. Bought some tape and sealed it myself and the air pressure upstairs is noticeably better now.

[vidhoo21]

95%? That's pretty close to rain.

I'm guessing you don't have AC.

We have AC. Installed 2 weeks back - York brand -2 Ton.
Do you think we should buy a dehumidifier and suck the water out? Our house if 1yr old.

[rdx]

We have AC. Installed 2 weeks back - York brand -2 Ton.
Do you think we should buy a dehumidifier and suck the water out? Our house if 1yr old.

My AC installer told me AC servers as dehumidifier already, and I only need to turn on the humidifier when furnace is on.

2 ton AC in general can cover 2000 sq ft. :)

[vidhoo21]

My AC installer told me AC servers as dehumidifier already, and I only need to turn on the humidifier when furnace is on.

2 ton AC in general can cover 2000 sq ft. :)

Thanks. Does that mean I have to open the AC vents in the basement if I don't buy the dehumidifier?

Should I wait for 2 more weeks to check humidity again? We are planning to get a dehumidifier this weekend.

[feet_]

It's common for higher floors to be warmer as cold air is heavier than warm air and will fall. If you have an open stairway, you could use a ceiling fan to bring the air up.

so with this logic. i should keep my mainfloor door leading to the basement closed to prevent the a/c'd air on the main floor from "falling" into the basement?

[Gidget]

Thanks. Does that mean I have to open the AC vents in the basement if I don't buy the dehumidifier?

Should I wait for 2 more weeks to check humidity again? We are planning to get a dehumidifier this weekend.

If you humidity levels in your basement is 95% I would definitely go ahead and buy a de-humidifier to take some of the moisture out. Even though you have central a/c the air conditioner only removes the humidity from your house if the unit is on. It depends on what temperature you have your thermostat set to and the humidity levels outside etc. If your a/c is off most of the day and only turned on during the evenings it may not remove all the moisture.

New homes have a lot of moisture; it takes about 2-3 years for the materials used to build it to dry. I would invest in a dehumidifier for those days you are not using your a/c.

[AMDr]

so with this logic. i should keep my mainfloor door leading to the basement closed to prevent the a/c'd air on the main floor from "falling" into the basement?

Yes and you'll notice a big difference on the upper floors.

[vidhoo21]

If you humidity levels in your basement is 95% I would definitely go ahead and buy a de-humidifier to take some of the moisture out. Even though you have central a/c the air conditioner only removes the humidity from your house if the unit is on. It depends on what temperature you have your thermostat set to and the humidity levels outside etc. If your a/c is off most of the day and only turned on during the evenings it may not remove all the moisture.

New homes have a lot of moisture; it takes about 2-3 years for the materials used to build it to dry. I would invest in a dehumidifier for those days you are not using your a/c.

I shall check the humidity today/tomorrow and then buy a dehumidifier