Basisverwarming

Basisverwarming, or base heating, is a concept used in building physics and energy management to describe the minimum level of heating required to keep a building within a defined indoor temperature range under given external conditions. It represents the base load of thermal energy needed to compensate for heat losses through the building envelope and through ventilation, after accounting for heat gains from occupants, equipment, and solar radiation. In practice, basisverwarming reflects the ongoing, relatively constant heating demand that persists even when the building is not experiencing peak heating needs.

In energy performance and design, basisverwarming is used to separate the baseline heating requirement from supplemental or adaptive heating that responds to short-term temperature changes. It is commonly addressed by operating heating systems at a low, continuous rate, often with heat pumps or boilers configured to maintain a stable indoor climate rather than delivering short, high-temperature bursts.

Advantages of managing basisverwarming include more stable indoor temperatures, reduced risk of humidity fluctuations, and improved efficiency by keeping equipment within its optimal operating range. It also supports demand-side management by providing a predictable, controllable baseline for energy systems.

Disadvantages can arise if continuous operation leads to unnecessary energy use in mild weather or poorly insulated buildings, or if control strategies are not properly aligned with real-time heat gains and occupancy patterns. The concept and its implementation vary with climate, building type, and energy system technology.

See also: base load, heating load, thermal performance, energy modeling, heat pump operation.