How should I keep my pipes from freezing this winter?

Yeah the heater in the basement better be on a dedicated line big enough to carry it. I would think of living in a place with an electric heater run on an extension cord. leave the cold water dripping, and if it gets really cold, a little more than a drip. If you have pipes going to the second floor let them drip. This is uming you have no other options. Heater is ok unless it ever trips, or is on an extension cord. If either of this occurs I'd run from that house.