Heating help!

We have just moved to Coin near Malaga. Although a little warmer than the UK it is still quite chilly! Can anyone recommend a good and inexpensive way of heating our apartment. I am worried about the electricity bill as we have been using two halogen heaters. I have heard about pellet burners but not sure about them.  Do they need to be connected to a flue or can we get freestanding ones? Can anyone recommend where to buy one from?

thank you

free standing gas heater approx 80 - 120€ from most hardware stores, gas bottles are about 17€ last ages. You will have to pay a deposit for the first gas bottle

Thank you for that - a lot cheaper than a pellet burner!!

Don't forget ventliation to avoid condensation problems.

When I lived in smallish house I found that once the sitting room was warm ,  even one panel on the free standing gas heater was too much.    

Solution:  I installed a simple gas tap in the rubber tube (short length of 3/8” metal gas pipe each side of the tap, and reattached the tube to each end) so I could adjust the amount of gas being burnt.  That meant I had the level of heat I wanted and maximum efficiency.

I agree with all of the above - gas is very efficient.  However, you don't get much warning when they are running out.  We have 2 bottles so that if one runs out mid evening we always have the second one to change to.

You can probably pick up used gas bottles cheaply at the markets.

some of the more expensive ones are fitted with catalytic converters and very efficient thermostats - shop around

a spare bottle is a good idea - same bottle can also run a gas barbecure for the summer!!

not sure about the suggestion of putting a tap in the tube to limit the flow and improve efficiency - i would be more worried about safety and any affect on the heater, would check with a real gas expert !! For me the easiest way to control is once the room is warm switch it off for a bit then switch back on (called a manual thermostat)

not sure about the suggestion of putting a tap in the tube to limit the flow and improve efficiency

Gas, fires, cookers etc. had on/off taps.  Gas barbecues usually still do,  it's not rocket science

Pellet stoves have come down in price quite considerably over the last 5 years or so. You can get a balanced flue free-standing unit. They are clean, effecient and fairly cheap to run. Here's a link that explains all about the systems. 

http://www.pelletking.com/pellet-stove-faq.aspx

johnzx you may be right but I would always err on the side of caution.

Remember, the regulator from the bottle providers a certain pressure regulated from the bottle pressure and the control on the heater (or barbecue) is designed to work with that pressure. by inserting another "tap" you can cause an imbalance and as you will be forcing a regulated gas pressure through a smaller hole which will increase the pressure again and may have detrimental effect on the appliance controller or even cause blow back to your main regulator.

Would not recommend this to anyone without checking with a registered gas installer

Please don't mess with ANY gas appliance or the feeds to them as all gas appliances are made to work within safe pressure limits. There is always the danger of leaks where any self-installed alterations have been undertaken which can cause explosion or the escape of dangerous fumes that can cause death. Any alterations that result in damage (or worse) would most certainly void any insurance you may have and there is always the possibility of criminal investigation if the results of your handywork are serious. 

The controls on my, pretty typical, barbecue (and all the gas fires and gas cookers I ever had) are in effect simple taps which go from off, right through to fully open.  Bit like turning the flame on the cooker hob, the simple cigarette lighter, and even the humble Bunsen burner used by almost very school child,  from low to high.   Absolutely nothing technical about them. 

If the amount of gas emerging is too little the flame goes out.  The safety factor with appliances using  pilot light,  is the thermocouple, which cuts off the gas to the pilot light when the flame goes out.

The regulator is to ensure the pressure is never too high, not that it is never too low.     With gas bottles, as the gas is used up, the pressure drops until just before the flame goes out when it reaches just about zero. 

Most here will remember the gas fire in the fireplace we all grew up with,  which was controlled by a simple tap.  You lit the match, turned on the tap and hey presto the fire lit.    It was then adjusted by turning the tap to a high or low flame and all without anything technical involved, again, just like the Bunsen Burner.

But as Woodbug says, if you do not know what you are doing, leave it alone, and that goes for just about everything else in life

Any alterations amd installations in respect of Plumbing, Gas  and Electrical works need to be undertaken by a qualified registered firm or individual and a safety boletin has to be obtained in all EU countries. Even if you think you know what you are doing - don't! You may be lucky or you and your family may not...... don't take a chance to try and save a few quid.

woodbug 100% agree with you

unfortunatley you always get the silly billy's who think they know better and put themseleves and others around them at risk

Will not do anything silly! Would rather pay an expert if we need anything doing. Neither of us are big into DIY prefer to leave it to those that know.

dumbblonde1959 (many apologies if you thought I was referring to you - I wasn't)

Will not do anything silly! Would rather pay an expert if we need anything doing. Neither of us are big into DIY prefer to leave it to those that know.

That is great advice for anyone

Shame others on here don't think the same as you but they will always try, never mind it takes all sorts

Hey Tadd1966 - didn't think that at all!! We seriously don't do DIY if we can help it or at least gas/electric- always find a man that can!!