Heating a basement to avoid freezing

[Mucky1957]

Hi guys,

First timer here so thank you for letting me join.

I have a condensate boiler with an outside pipe for the waste water. For the last two winters either my outside pipe or the condensate trap under the boiler has frozen. I have double lagged the outside pipe and I have lagged the trap as well. I am still worried that if we get a weeks worth of really cold weather ( like the last two winters ) something will freeze and the heating wont work.

We are away from home for 3 weeks in January ( if I was home I wouldn’t be so worried ) and want to know if I could do the following in the basement. There are air bricks and small holes around the room.

Could I get a small heater and use it with a thermostat plug so that if the temp drops below 3c or 4c the heater would kick in ?? If this is an idea then what size heater would I need. The room is about 10’ x 8’ and about 7’ high. The heater could sit close to the condensate trap and direct any heat onto it.

If this isnt a good idea does anyone have something that is.
 

[JohnMo]

I would heat trace the pipe that freezes. And insulate it will.

 

Kits are available - this is the first I came across, look for similar and compare 

https://www.frostprotection.co.uk/pre-made-frost-protection-kits

[JohnMo]

1 hour ago, Mucky1957 said:

condensate boiler

Condensing boiler.