JoshM

Hi Everyone,

We bought a house in Aljezur and it only has a fireplace. House was built in 2008 and has 4 bedrooms (140m2). We are being told that a multi split AC system (heat and cool) will cost close to 6000 euros to install. Not sure that we need AC in the summer as the temps are not that hot, plus the breeze helps. Someone mentioned infrared panel heaters in combination with PV solar on roof that will cost about 3000 euros.

We would appreciate any feedback from people who installed a heating system.

Josh

coleio

Hi,
An AC/heatpump set up is efficient way of heating, for 1 unit of electric energy (which you pay for) you MAY get 4 units of heat energy whereas a infared heater efficiency 1 unit of electric energy will give 1 unit of heat plus you may find a little AC is nice in the summer when you want to sleep. *Bizarrely* solar PV works well in sunlight which occurs in the summer when heating is not required whereas in winter (clouds, rain etc) solar produces less so when heating is required your cheaper option is cheaper for a reason. I'd suggest you go live there with some logs n a fan heater - talk to neighbours, locals, installers then when you have more pertinent information decide what heating or not you require. And there's also humidity and black mould to consider.

macliam

I agree with coleio. The ONLY electric heating system that will provide an efficiency greater than one for one is a heat-pump system - and the cheapest way to retrofit that is via an air-conditioning setup. Then you buy the best you can afford, to avoid future issues. Anyone who suggests an "efficient" electric radiator system is just blowing smoke and suggesting solar PV with sufficient battery backup to provide comfortale heating is a pipe-dream - but a good sales pitch...... install and run.

Heat pump systems are expensive up-front, but pay for themselves through greater efficiency - and you really don't want to be paying for standard electric heating!

Rambling archer

And keep the fireplace and install a wood-burner for cosy evenings and to warm the place a bit when you don't really need the heating on - autumn and spring can need cheering up a bit.

Midgo

We completely renovated our house 3 years ago (Costa Caprica area)
It also had a fireplace that we kept - use it every so often - like xmass and when friends round
Downstairs we put in a couple of pellet burners - very happy with them - beware that they need chimneys putting in, despite what you might find on the internet. One of ours is over-specked so is always on low. Great as they are thermostated and you just load them up with pellets and leave them. Not absolutely silent tho (elec fan) but fine. Get the pellets in Continente. Recycling saw dust.
Upstairs was cooler, and in summer was too hot for a month or so in Aug so we put in 3 AC upstairs and one in my study downstairs with a common outside unit (we pre-installed the piping when renovating house just in case so it was easy)
A/C mostly just gives a boost to heat or chill before going to bed, and for those really hot nights its on silent eco mode for a few hours
Overall very happy with system.
A/C everywhere would be a good system, I think, but we do like the cosyness of the pellet burners.
We bought a good brand A/C, good advice from Macliam on this
A/C and pellet burners (closed loop heat exchangers - burn air circuit kept separate from heated air circuit) keep house nice and dry, which is a HUGE difference to all other houses I have lived in in PT over the years.