Simple Finished Basement Ideas

Finishing Basement – HVAC questions?

I am finishing my basement and would like to tie into the existing HVAC system that heats/cools the whole house.
#1 – Is this a good idea?
#2 – Is this as simple as branching off the existing duct work for the supply and return and then adding the respective vents in the basement?
#3 – Do you know where I can find some more info on doing this?

1.) Yes its an excellent idea. One of the leading causes of moldy and damp basements is lack of circulating fresh air.

2.) Yes, just tap into the outbound vent and install a 5″ or 6″ Elbow and connect your 5″ or 6″ piping to it. Set your vents up so that the outbound is farthest away from the return duct so that you have across the room ventilation. If the room is very large you’ll need two or more outbound vents. The return duct is very simple and can be a chamber in a wall farthest from the outbound vents and at the floor level.

3.) There are several DIY sites, just Google it.

When I finished my basement I wanted a full HVAC set up to keep the air fresh and ward off dampness and any possible mould. I tapped into the main outbound trunk (this was the hard part cutting into that darn thing at the top with little room to move the tools.). Then I installed an outlet Elbow which is square on one end and 5″ or 6″ round on the other end. Mount the square end by getting the tabs into the hole you cut and then reaching into the Elbow and turning the tabs up to lock the piece on. Secure with aluminum duct tape. Then I ran the pipe in sections to near the opposite end of the room from where my return was to be. At this point in the ceiling I installed a round register mount and after dry walling installed the adjustable round register. In my case the rear wall of the room ran up against the back side of the return trunk. All I needed to do was cut a square hole in between the studs and seal the area with caulk. When I dry walled, I caulked the two studs so the dry wall when applied made a sealed chamber with no insulation in it. On the inside of the room near the bottom I cut my hole where by braces were, and placed my return hole grille. Its been perfect at keeping fresh air circualting all year long when the system is running. Its cool in the summer and warm in the winter and most of all its nice and dry and fresh.

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