Even on a sunny island, heating is needed from time to time. The choice of the right system depends on various factors. Motto: From fireplace to heat pump, everything is possible.
Not only since George Sand and her book „A Winter in Mallorca“ have full-time and part-time residents known that it can be quite uncomfortable on the island. Although temperatures rarely drop to freezing, even in the coldest months such as January and February, the permanently high humidity means that the sensation of cold increases with every falling Celsius degree.
Apartments and houses without heating cool down noticeably, moisture spreads and, in addition to mold growth, also creates an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Which heating system is the right one for property owners in Mallorca depends on various factors such as the annual usage period or the size of the island home. Some heating systems only pay off from a certain output, while others are not suitable for the conditions at the specific location. When comparing one heating system with another, you should always bear in mind the cost development over several years. Long-term planning is therefore important when choosing a heating system.
Heating with wood and pelletsFireplaces, stoves and heating cassettes provide the most natural warmth thanks to their fuels wood and pellets. In addition to wood, pellets have become the fuel of choice in recent years. Pellet fireplaces cost between approx. 900 and 4,000 euros to purchase, depending on size and equipment. However, just like wood-burning stoves and fireplaces with or without heating cassettes, the heat generated is usually only sufficient for one room. Small apartments or one-room apartments can be sufficiently heated with them. With pellet fireplaces, one fuel load is usually sufficient for just under 24 hours of burning.
Heating with the air
Compared to other heating systems, the air source heat pump is particularly inexpensive to purchase and requires less effort to install and plan. The structural measures required on the house are limited, whereas other heat generators require fuel storage rooms. As there is no combustion, there is also no need to build a chimney. Air heat pumps draw around 75 percent of their energy from the energy carrier air. Air is completely free and available without any harmful impact on nature. The remaining 25 percent of the energy required is accounted for by the electricity needed to operate the heat pump. In combination with renewable electricity sources, for example a photovoltaic system, the air heat pump operates completely emission-free.
It is particularly advisable to combine the air heat pump with an automated comfort ventilation system. This not only ensures continuous air exchange in well-insulated buildings, it also helps to save heating costs. The heat exchanger of the controlled domestic ventilation system retains the heat energy from the exhaust air and feeds it into the supply air. This reduces the heating requirement by up to 25 percent, which in turn leads to lower energy consumption.
Heating with oil and gas
Central oil and gas heating systems are usually installed in new builds in particular. In terms of purchase costs, they are sometimes the most expensive solution for heating your own four walls, but they ensure that heat is always available at a constant level and - with the right insulation - that there is no damp in any room. Both the fluctuating oil and gas prices and the maintenance costs of the heating systems should be taken into account when deciding on a central heating system.
Heating with electricity
For property owners who only stay on the island for a limited period of the year, electric heating is sometimes a good choice. Numerous suppliers of electric heaters have established themselves on Mallorca in recent years. Modern infrared heaters in particular are popular with many house and apartment owners on the island. Infrared heaters in the living area can be mounted on the wall or ceiling. They radiate their heat into the entire room. However, they do not heat the room air, but objects and people in the room. Because infrared radiators can become very hot, they are built into protective housings. These are usually much flatter than those of conventional heaters and therefore very space-saving. The casing also offers a wide range of design options: The infrared heater can be integrated into a mirror, printed with an individual photo motif or disappear into a natural stone slab as a marble heater. This is also referred to as picture heating or mirror heating.
The structural requirements for the installation of infrared heaters that are powered by electricity are very low: it is only necessary to be able to connect the devices to the power supply. Some appliances have a normal Schuko plug, others are connected to the mains by an electrician. New cables and fuses only need to be installed if the previous design of the electrical circuit in the home is undersized. Older electrical installations in which the electrical circuit for the whole house is only connected to a few weak fuses are often insufficiently dimensioned. If in doubt, you should consult an electrician. Infrared heaters are significantly cheaper than conventional central heating systems.
Ready-to-connect infrared heaters are usually offered with outputs between around 200 watts and 1.4 kilowatts. A heating module with 600 watts, which should be sufficient for a 10 to 15 square meter room, for example, costs around 200 to 500 euros, depending on the design and manufacturer. Added to this is around 30 euros for a room thermostat.
If more convenience is required, such as wireless technology or flush-mounted installation, you can expect to pay over 100 euros for this.
Editorial team
Kälte Klima Peters
Tel. +34 638 334 467
www.kkpeters.es
KVK Chimneys
Tel. +49 1621 38 99 82
Hark fireplaces
Phone +49 176 47 32 84 41
Balear building services
Tel. +34 971 68 77 87
