Wood Burner vs Air Conditioning in Spain: Which Is Cheaper?
At around €70 per cubic metre for olive wood, wood heating can still be good value, but a modern air conditioning heat pump on a good tariff is usually cheaper per kWh of useful heat.
Olive Wood Cost Calculation
Olive wood is abundant in Spain. Here is the typical math:
- Olive wood: ~€70 per m³
- Energy content: ~1,800 kWh per m³
- Stove efficiency: ~75%
- Usable heat: ~1,350 kWh
- Effective Cost: roughly €0.051 per kWh of heat
Wood vs AC Cost Comparison
[Pages.heatingWoodVsAc.vsAcP1]
| Feature | Olive Wood Stove | Air Conditioning |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per kWh heat | ~0,05 € | €0.028 |
| Labor required | High (stacking, carrying) | None |
| Heat style | Intense radiant heat | Gentle blown air |
| Maintenance | Ash removal, chimney sweeping | Filter cleaning |
Comfort and Ambience
Nothing beats the cozy feeling of a real fire on a rainy Spanish winter evening. A wood burner provides intense radiant heat that warms objects and people directly.
Storage, Delivery, and Maintenance
Wood requires a dry place to store several cubic metres, which can attract insects. You also have to deal with smoke on startup, daily ash cleaning, and annual chimney maintenance.
The Best Hybrid Approach
The smartest approach for many expats is a hybrid one: use your air conditioning to efficiently maintain a steady 20°C background temperature throughout the day, and light the wood stove in the evening for ambiance and extra warmth in the living room.
Heating with electricity? Your tariff matters.
Upload your bill and we’ll compare over 50 tariffs in Spain to see if you’re overpaying. A bad tariff can double your heating cost.
Upload your billRelated heating guides for Spain
Heating costs depend on the system, the property, and the tariff. These guides explain the most common comparisons in more detail.