HELP! It's my first time. Do I need a heat mat?

I bought a 4 ft shop light and put 2 T8 full spectrum lights in it. I also bought the Burpee seed starting ultimate growing system : dome, 72 cell with growing pellets, self watering mat. My question is this: I set up shop in my basement. It's cool/ cold down there, and I was wondering if I'll need to add a heat mat ? Or should I just do the oven method I've been reading about that other bloggers at this web are doing? Also: my light fixture is on chain links so I can lower it very close to dome if I desired. ( I figured I would initially set it to 3" above dome, until seedlings pop up). Then, for vegetative stage, 24 hours light., changing to 12 when flowers appear. Am I close to figuring it all out???

Kaytee:
I used heat mats this year and germination was very quick - sometimes 2 days. I think with the cooler temps germination will take a little longer. I keep my lights on for 16 hours a day and held about 2 inches above the seedlings, adjusting the chains as they grow. I also provide an oscillating fan for about 10 hours a day once the seedlings have true leaves. Air movement seems to help keep them "stocky". Good luck!
E

It is a personal preference as to whether to buy/use a heat pad. The same thing can be accomplished by placing the seeds in oven (as mentioned), on a fridge, tv or other heat source. Most seeds will germinate at a lower temp than optimal, but will take a little longer. Some difficult to germinate seeds however will benefit greatly from a heat mat/thermostat to carefully moderate temperatures. For many, the decision is a matter of budget and the total number of seeds you will be germinating. If you are only going to germ one or two flats of seeds, you may not want to invest in a mat.

With the lights, 24 hours is not needed and may be detrimental. Plants need dark as well as light. I set mine for 14-16 hours for most plants and adjust them for less for certain plants (tuberous begonias from seed). I wouldn't use less time when they start to flower, the extra time is needed to adjust for the lower light intensity (compared to sun).

If you have it set up, I would turn on lights put soil under it like you were to grow and find out just how cold the soil will be when you have it set up. Depending on what you are growing is how much heat is needed. A minimum of 70 degrees is usually needed. but just depends on what you are growing..

It helps on some seeds to germinate.After they start coming up its best to remove them from heat.I only have one mat.I start some seeds on it and then remove and start something else.I like it to start tomatoes and peppers.Some herbs and if the packet says heat helps.They are nice to have.Is it necessary,no.I have started seeds for years indoors.I have only had the mat for a couple.Its a time saver and its kind of a luxury item.Lights on for 16 hours.Put them on a timer and you don't have to worry about them.Keep notes on your seedlings.If you make a mistake,like starting something to early or late.It will keep you from repeating it next year.I have a feeling more shoplights are in your future,LOL.,Edge

There is an optimal temperature for sprouting seeds, and it varies depending on what type of seed it is. Starting at the minimum cool temperature, germination slowly increases with the temperature up to the optimum temperature, then drops off abruptly to the maximum temperature.
My point is: it can also be to warm to sprout seeds. If the room is already room temperature - around 70 - the heat mat will make it too warm. If your location is 55-65 degrees, the heat mat will bring it up closer to the optimum temperature for most seeds. Some seeds are slow to sprout, if the heat mat hasn't done the trick in a week, it is not going to - don't leave anything on the heat mat for over a week.
That is based on my experience from this spring when I was starting more things indoors than usual and I was rotating trays on the heat mat. I over-heated 1/3 of a flat of tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers - and they are all things that like heat.

Pollen, I agree with you, too cool means slow germination, but too hot is deadly. Most heat mats (without a thermostat) advertise heat of 10-15 degrees above ambient temps. This time of year, in many areas of the country, using a heat mat alone would provide too high a temperature. Although they are expensive, I recommend a thermostat for your heat mat. That way you can provide the optimal temperature for germination and growth without cooking the seeds.

After germination most plants benefit from a lower temperature for better root development. However, there are some warm season plants that can benefit from a prolonged time at their optimal (warmer than ambient) temperature. In these cases keeping plants on the mat is beneficial if you have a thermostat to control the temp.

Personally, I wouldn't use a heat mat without a thermostat unless my ambient temps were only about 60 F.