 |
| Keep you heating consumption down, you save and so does the environment |
Heating houses and apartments in Spain.
"Nine months of winter, three months of hell." This common proverb rhymes in Spanish to describe the country's hotter areas - such as Andalusia. And understandably, those three months of hell are a local obsession: the vast majority of homes in this area are built to keep out heat with little regard for winter's chill. But, fortunately the options are growing for those seeking comfort during the "nine months of winter".
Built-in heating Systems
If you can choose a heating system during the construction of your Andalucian home you have two main options: under-floor heating and centrally networked radiator systems. These can also be installed in a completed home, but at greater expense.
Under-floor heating
Underfloor heating is an energy-efficient and space-saving way to heat homes, distributing warmth evenly from the ground up for consistent comfort. Suitable for both new builds and renovations, it can be installed beneath a variety of floor types, including tile, wood, and carpet. In Spain’s Andalucia region, homeowners can turn to local specialists such as Suelo Radiante Málaga for expert installation and servicing, while in the UK, suppliers like Underfloor Heating Trade Supplies offer high-quality kits and components for both electric and water-based systems.
Water underfloor heating works by circulating warm water through pipes connected to a boiler or, increasingly, an energy-efficient heat pump, making it ideal for larger areas or whole-house heating. Electric systems, on the other hand, use heated cables or mats powered by mains electricity, offering a simpler installation process and making them well-suited for single rooms or smaller projects. Heat pumps are a particularly sustainable pairing with water-based underfloor heating, as they provide low-temperature, steady heat output that maximises efficiency and reduces running costs.
Stand-alone Systems
Because built-in 'central' heating systems were traditionally uncommon in Southern Spain, the market for stand-alone units has flourished. These come in a wide variety of electric heaters, including energy efficient versions that heat water or oil, and there are also alternatives to electricity.
Butane
One of the most popular alternatives to electric stand-alone heaters in Andalucia are fuelled by butane. These heaters tend to be large and boxy - in order to house butane bottles. In addition to the space they occupy, their main detraction is the amount of humidity they produce as they burn gas. But in spite of the discomfort this causes some, many still invest in this extremely economical option. Butane units can be purchased in home improvement stores, but a contract must be arranged with the gas company in order to obtain fuel.
Oil Radiators
Low-consumption oil radiators that are powered by electricity provide a quality alternative to either of the above stand-alone systems. Oil heaters are fuelled by electricity, but use far less than standard electric units. The best of these heaters comes with two or three power levels accompanied by a thermostat with about 10 settings. Some also include a fan system to better distribute the heat.
Heat Pumps
One of the most ideal heat sources in this mild climate is a heat pump, which siphons heat from the air and puts it into your home. These are powered by electricity but use only about 1/3 the power required by a traditional electric heater. A heat pump will require a higher initial investment than an oil radiator, for example, but will pay off in the long run.
Panel Heaters
One of the main disadvantages of stand-alone heaters is the difficulty in finding a way to incorporate units into the design and decor of each room in your home. Panel heaters provide an excellent solution to this problem. Most electric heaters – including oil radiators – can be obtained in the form of panel heating which mounts neatly on the wall. This is possibly the most discrete way to incorporate stand-alone systems into a home without central heating.
Renewable energy sources
With the ever increasing costs of traditional energy sources to power your central heating system, alternative renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar and biomass are becoming increasingly popular. These provide simple, cheap, environment friendly technologies to heat your house, water and if necessary your pool.
The most common renewable energies are :
Solar Panels
Using the sun’s energy through increasingly more efficient solar panels located on your roof or land. The Andalucian climate allows the maximum use of such systems.
Photo Voltaic Panels
Non residential buildings such as shopping centres and hospitals must have photovoltaic panels, which produce electricity directly and are more expensive than solar panels, which simply heat water.
Geothermal
The heat and energy a short distance underground can be gathered using circuits buried on your land. This technology has been used in northern European countries for more than 10 years to provide heating in winter and cooling in summer.
Biomass
The latest automatic pellet systems can power a central heating system, have hoppers to provide an automatic feed mechanism and can be programmed to switch on when required.
