Join the Los Dolses forum
My name's Alex and this is my website all about Los Dolses in Spain. Register now for free to talk about General Los Dolses discussion and much more!
Can anyone advise on most efficient and cost effective methods of heating in winter. We are due over to the new property for our first winter break. The air con system will provide heat but are there better ways to operate. We have been looking at a portable gas heater and various electric options. Has anyone found any of these to be more efficient than others. Any advice welcome.
Aircon is the cheapest and most efficient. Portable gas fires great for instant heat but can cause a lot of condensation. Electric heaters are very expensive to run.
Aircon with inverters heat up and then, when it reaches the required temperature, run down but don't switch off. A decent inverter aircon can give up to 4 times the heat in kilowatts than it is rated for. For example, and aircon until using 1.5kw will give around 5 kw of heat and still pump out 1kw when running on idle. An electric fire will use the same amount of kw as it is rated for, eg 2.5kw electric will use 2.5kw of power and give that amount of heat.
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 5:33pm
marcliff wrote on Tue Jan 6, 2026 5:25pm:
Aircon is the cheapest and most efficient. Portable gas fires great for instant heat but can cause a lot of condensation. Electric heaters are very expensive to run.
Aircon with inverters heat up and then, when it reaches the required temperature, run down but don't switch off. A decent inverter aircon can give up to 4 times the heat in kilowatts than it is rated for. For example, and aircon until using 1.5kw will give around 5 kw of heat and still pump out 1...
Read more...
...kw when running on idle. An electric fire will use the same amount of kw as it is rated for, eg 2.5kw electric will use 2.5kw of power and give that amount of heat.
Brilliant info. Many thanks.
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 6:21pm
Well done Marcliff, you're always a great contributor on many subjects. This subject is one of my knowledge, the info you've given is bang on. Well done, we're lucky to have you on this forum. Thank you
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 7:01pm
Walshierover wrote on Tue Jan 6, 2026 6:21pm:
Well done Marcliff, you're always a great contributor on many subjects. This subject is one of my knowledge, the info you've given is bang on. Well done, we're lucky to have you on this forum. Thank you
An efficient log burner and Oak having high calorific value
Advertisement - posts continue below
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 7:19pm
Very helpful member
Koi123 wrote on Tue Jan 6, 2026 7:01pm:
An efficient log burner and Oak having high calorific value
All wood burners, even the best modern ones, still produce some small particulate matter (PM) because it is an inherent byproduct of the combustion process. However, modern "Ecodesign" certified stoves significantly reduce these emissions compared to older models. (From google)
Check price of wood and although far from being an eco warrior "sustainable" can mean many things.
If you have any lung problems such as asthma or COPD, they are not good for you. Portable gas fires should be the last resort as they need plentiful ventilation which kind of defeats the object and produce a lot of moisture.
Maybe a wall mounted electric heater in the bathroom for as and when needed. In my experience, heated towel rails don't produce enough heat to warm the room.
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 7:34pm
Thanks everyone. The more info the better.
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 8:59pm
Flyingduck81 wrote on Tue Jan 6, 2026 7:19pm:
All wood burners, even the best modern ones, still produce some small particulate matter (PM) because it is an inherent byproduct of the combustion process. However, modern "Ecodesign" certified stoves significantly reduce these emissions compared to older models. (From google)
Check price of ...Read more...
...wood and although far from being an eco warrior "sustainable" can mean many things.
If you have any lung problems such as asthma or COPD, they are not good for you. Portable gas fires should be the last resort as they need plentiful ventilation which kind of defeats the object and produce a lot of moisture.
Maybe a wall mounted electric heater in the bathroom for as and when needed. In my experience, heated towel rails don't produce enough heat to warm the room.
What has that got to do with original question
"Can anyone advise on most efficient and cost effective methods of heating in winter.:
WOOD
And Catalytic Converter types are available for 15 years but extra cost
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 9:48pm
Super helpful member
Koi123 wrote on Tue Jan 6, 2026 8:59pm:
What has that got to do with original question
"Can anyone advise on most efficient and cost effective methods of heating in winter.:
Read more...
WOOD
And Catalytic Converter types are available for 15 years but extra cost
I am far from expert, but found Fly duck reply had a few interesting tips, and helpful, it went off topic but good advice about Log Burner, and if someone like myself who suffers with Chest infection, as Apartment in Costa Blanca South are like icebox in evening, there is no heat retention in older Property, it is something that should be seriously consider if spending winter in Costa Blanca South,
Posted: Tue Jan 6, 2026 10:10pm
This post has been marked as unhelpful by our members.
Sligogent wrote on Tue Jan 6, 2026 9:48pm:
I am far from expert, but found Fly duck reply had a few interesting tips, and helpful, it went off topic but good advice about Log Burner, and if someone like myself who suffers with Chest infection, as Apartment in Costa Bl...
Read more...
...anca South are like icebox in evening, there is no heat retention in older Property, it is something that should be seriously consider if spending winter in Costa Blanca South,
Waffle
Nothing else to do
Find more General discussion topics from a particular area:
Or view all General discussion topics in all of Costa Blanca.
