How to turn the basement rooms into comfortable living spaces

The term basement always refers to a floor that is completely (cellar floor) or partially (half-down level) below the earth's surface where the available space is prepared for living or for permanent occupation of people. For example, the basement could be used as a sports or hobby room, a party room or even as a flat.

When modernising and renovating existing properties, the structural conditions in the cellar or basement must always be considered. Condensing moisture in combination with cold exterior walls can cause mould growth. Often, the consequences are musty and unpleasant smells. If the room is part of a residential property with a kitchen and bathroom, these additional sources of moisture should not be underestimated.

Poor air quality and moisture in the basement

When modernising and renovating existing properties, the structural conditions in the cellar or basement must always be considered. Condensing moisture in combination with cold exterior walls can cause mould growth. Often, the consequences are musty and unpleasant smells. If the room is part of a residential property with a kitchen and bathroom, these additional sources of moisture should not be underestimated.

If the odour nuisance and moisture damage do not constitute structural defects, this is not a reason against using the basement as additional living space, a hobby room or a party room.

Basement dehumidification by determining the absolute humidity

With our products, we from ZILA have been contributing to building protection and maintaining a comfortable feel-good climate for more than 20 years.

Our solutions for this are diverse: From compact sensors for temperature, humidity and CO2 (carbon dioxide) to intelligent, automatic controls for supply and exhaust air elements of any kind. While considering the actual climatic conditions inside a room and outside a building, our climate controls ensure controlled and automatic ventilation of the basement. 

Needs-based and user-independent basement dehumidification with our climate control KST-20 Vento explained in the following video.
[Please make sure the English subtitles are activated.]

Air quality monitoring in the basement

One of the determining factors for the (indoor) air quality is the measured CO₂ (carbon dioxide) concentration. This is particularly important for basement rooms, as the CO₂ there can hardly mix with fresh air from outside. The reason for this is that concentrated CO₂ is heavier than air and can therefore accumulate near the floor.

CO₂ is measured in ppm (parts per million). This corresponds to the CO₂ content in a given total volume of air. The maximum value for indoor rooms is 1,200 ppm (Pettenkofer value). If this value is reached, ventilation should be carried out immediately since elevated CO₂ concentrations can have negative effects on the well-being of room users.

Humans are incapable of detecting carbon dioxide because the gas is colourless and odourless, which is why technical solutions are necessary for this.

Devices for monitoring air quality and dehumidification

The following products are specially designed to meet the requirements for living and working areas and can therefore be used in basement flats, but also in other rooms.

ZILA is a specialist in the fields of pressure, climate, leakage and ventilation. With more than 20 years of market experience in building services engineering and mechanical and plant engineering, we have extensive expertise in building ventilation and dehumidification.