As temperatures plummeted to -2^oC this week in our part of Andalucía, our thoughts turned to heating and how to keep warm. ¡Por Dios! Hasn’t it got expensive?

The cost of heating gets more and more expensive, just as people's incomes are falling.

Electricity prices continue to rise. After a massive 10% increase last January what can we expect this winter? The current price is 0.1423€ per kilowatt hour, with the standing charge, equipment hire and tax on top!

We’ve just had our oil tank filled for the winter. We were shocked to find that Gasoleo C (heating oil) has burst through the one euro barrier and now costs a whopping 1.054€ per litre!

A bombona of butane gas(12.5kg) is now 15.09€. Didn’t it cost about 8 euros three or four years ago? Propane is a bit cheaper at 13.27€, but you only get 11kg! It's about the same price per kilo whichever you choose, around 1.206€. Town gas is only 0.10027€ per kilo which is far cheaper.

Logs for the fire vary in price. We’ve just ordered two lots from different suppliers. One load of encina (holm oak) – about 1/3 of a ton – set us back 80€. Another of mixed olive and oak was 70€ for half a ton. But doesn’t it burn away quickly?

What’s the solution? Many older Spaniards still stick to the traditional method of huddling round the table with a brasero underneath with blankets over their knees. But you still need heat from coals or an electric fire both of which you have to pay for. Clearly the cheapest way is to turn the heating off and wrap up in warm clothing!

© Paul Whitelock

See also:

Log blog!

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