I live in the basement, it’s part of the foundation. The house is old and on a hill. There are some small cracks here and there, nothing dangerous or expensive. In the winter I like to heat up the room to a warm temperature, because it’s a basement, like 24 degrees Celsius if I am cold. Could this possibly do anything to the foundation, I really don’t think so. The owner says it’ll damage the foundation, I think that ridiculous. I think he might be a complete and total {insert a swear word here}. Am I right? If you answer my question people also tell me how you know this, so it is not just an opinion.
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Are the foundation walls exposed to your living space? If so, then the heat loss through the foundation walls is likely to be substantial if there is no exterior insulation. 24ºC is 75ºF - customarily a rather higher level in indoor temperature commonly considered to be frugal. As far as damage to the foundation, I suspect there will be little, if any. If the owner is paying to heat the space, perhaps that's the real reason for the objection.
You can’t heat your basement up to 24 degrees C in the winter, so it’s unlikely that the foundation will suffer. Cracks in the foundation are a common occurrence in older homes, and they’re unlikely to be affected by your home’s heating system. However, if you’re looking for a more precise assessment, it’s best to work with a professional foundation specialist who can inspect your home and provide a professional, structural-based opinion.