Heating a house in Malta
Written by Elizabeth Ayling
An old favourite dusted off each winter, until kerosene prices shot up!
The issue of how to heat a Maltese house to ambient room temperature never quite gets resolved. I’ve tried most forms of heating. What I need is a level of warmth that means I don’t have to wear fingerless gloves, two fleeces and a hat indoors – and still feel chill. It is often warmer outside than in. Maltese houses are built to resist sunlight.
We’ve had several queries from those abroad thinking of relocating to Malta about how we heat our houses for those crucial months – Jan to March; it’s chill, chill, chill right now in my place, but from past experience, I often find February is the really bitter month indoors. The house has had by then three months to chill down since last autumn’s last rays of warmth.
How you heat and how well you keep warm relate largely to your type of flat or house – stone, concrete, top floor, lower floor, thickness of stone, layout of rooms, number of windows and so on. Structure plays a large part in the choice and effectiveness of heating. Few people have central (oil-fired) heating as that requires planning while building or renovating. Fewer still use alternative bio-fuels or have photo-voltaic panels installed. And I haven’t heard of anyone with an Aga or fuel-fired cooking range in Malta, let alone one that can run heating as well.
Clearly, if you are renting, you have fewer choices. If you are house or flat hunting in the summer, do think about the heating issue!
The short answer to ‘how we heat’ is most of us don’t (effectively). We just wear more clothes. For the longer answer and the regular heating options, read on. No solutions promised though, even with modern technologies available!
Wood-burning stove
I installed one three winters ago in my metre-thick walled lounge. The pipe goes up the stairwell and just heats my bedroom above.
Pros: it looks nice, is a focal point, and provides comfortable warmth in one room at least.
Cons: It gobbles wood (one bag @ €8 lasts two nights for five hours of heating depending on the type of wood). Can be messy to clean. Needs to be on a couple of hours to really feel heat. Pipe drips liquid tar when it rains (chimney and piping badly installed!). Some possibility of flu clinker catching fire (not heard of chimney sweeps here, but probably a do-it-yourself job if you’ve a stone chimney breast not piping).
Verdict: I like it for atmosphere and can make room cosy if lit for long enough. Not efficient and can’t hope to heat more than one room.
Kerosene Heaters
I had a digital, very effective Japanese-make kerosene heater that gave central heating equivalent ambient warmth – until it went wrong three years ago and no one here can mend it! It would cut out if oxygen in the room was low and had a child safety lock button. About two years ago, the price of Kerosene more than doubled, making it very expensive a form of heating.
A few years back you’d hear a lot of praise for Potez heaters. Estate agents still advertise homes with a Potez kerosene heater in glowing terms:”…a homely living room with a Potez Heater,” was how one put it recently. People now are trying to see if they can find alternative fuels – lighting oil – to use in these heaters. Anyone who was child in the 1960s and 70s in the UK would remember a Potez heater in classrooms. I’ve heard that a Potez heater can heat an entire Maltese farmhouse; shame about the kerosene price. I would recommend getting expert advice on anything to do with kerosene heaters!
Pros: does give great heat – if a modern type of heater. Centrally located, it may heat the whole house.
Cons: kerosene prohibitively expensive. Heater needs care and attention and they can be a hazard for pets and kids, and fiddly to operate. Need to ventilate rooms frequently.
Verdict: If you inherit one, use it in the really cold periods as it is effective, though costly to run.
Gas
My very friendly gas man called this morning (not to be greeted as Rik Mayall did his in that infamous episode of the BBC’s comedy, ‘Bottom‘.) Malta’s gas men deliver bottles, not check meters. They call in my street twice a week, delivering yellow bottles we can’t do without – for cooking and heating. Portable gas heaters on wheels are the main source of heating for most of us. I hate them, but can’t live without them come winter.
Pros: Easy to obtain (if you have a bottle already). Delivered to door. Instant heating. Easy to light. Can move from room to room as you please.
Cons: Heaters can smell (both mine do, even with adapter and piping changed). Bottles heavy to heave around – my back’s had it this year. Metal casing ugly. Won’t last that long in peak winter. Safety concerns: eats oxygen and you need to ventilate rooms often. Produces moisture. The price doubles each year it seems; I checked back 2 years or so and found it was €10.50 a bottle; now it’s around €20.
Verdict: I’d really freeze without them, but don’t like them on safety grounds. So an evil necessity.
Aircons
Some of my rooms have them to cope with summer heat, so why don’t I use them in winter? Well, with electricity prices what they are, it can prove very costly. I abandoned using aircons as heating ages ago, and resorted to gas heaters. If you’ve a more modern flat, fully airconned, you are more likely to use them, swear by them for heating and not worry about the cost. Older houses rarely heat up well with them, and always cool down the minute they are switched off – warmth from a solid fuel stove can linger till next day.
Pros: Easy to use. Safe. Instant heat.
Cons: Costly to install and in older houses, rarely placed in all rooms. Expensive to run. Heat dissipates immediately they are switched off. Dry eyes and skin out.
No heating at all
Yes, this is an option. We won’t have frost on the inside of windows here, though hail storms and temperatures around 3-4°C at night are quite possible in wet periods. So a first line of defence is to put on more clothes, including thermals! I know someone who won’t bother with any heating at all in their old house – apart from a rare open fire. Their mantra is that if people lived in the 1700s in it without heating, then they can too. I could just about live without room heating but not without an electric blanket to remove the damp, cold feel of my bed.
Roof insulation
Less a heating method and more heat loss prevention. The foam layer on top of the roof can be costly to install and may not do the business in winter. People I know say it can cut out summer heat but that it makes only a subliminal difference to room temperatures when it has to keep warmth in. (I am waiting for per metre costs so will add these soon).
Under-floor heating
This has been quite popular in recent years as it’s become less costly to import the technology. It’s best to install when you are renovating or building afresh as it’s too disruptive to dig up floors later. It runs off electricity, so in theory is expensive. A friend put in in his old farmhouse a year back so has trialled it for one full winter. Here are his views:
Pros: Quiet, efficient [low voltage so, in theory, also low cost]. No big impact on our energy bill – but we’ve only had one winter so far so hard to quantify. But we do use it judiciously – we keep two rooms on consistently [study and main bedroom] and it kicks in for about 10 – 15 mins per hour. It’s silent, cuts out humidity, offers even heat and kills dampness at source. In use with a de-humidifier, we maintain a temp around 18 degrees.
Cons: Needs planning to install. The only thing I’m not yet sure about is the relative cost.
Oil-fired Central Heating
Very few people have this installed, but it does work when it is! Can be ugly and expensive, and you need space to house an oil tank and few people in Malta have that. It’s rare to find here and thought of as a real luxury as it would only need to run around one month a year in reality. I am tracking down more details from the only friend I know with it. I remember her saying she didn’t put it on unless she had to!
Solar & Alternative Energies
Clearly, with all the sun Malta gets, solar energies have come to the fore in recent years, and a lot of people are making use of government subsidies to install solar panels primarily for water heaters. Fewer install photovoltaic systems that generate domestic electricity. You need a good deal of roof space for that I understand. I get a flyer a day through my letter box from local firms offering all manner of solar, eco-friendly, power systems. If you want some unbiased information about the practicalities in Malta of alternative energy supplies in the home, try contacting the Institute for Sustainable Energies at the University of Malta. See also the Malta Resources Authority for background info and about subsidies.
We will be updating this article as we’re sure to get comments in. Heating a Maltese house is a hot topic of conversation in winter – every winter!
Photo: Brandi Sims
Very interesting and informative. Although living in the UK now, we are ex South Africans, and are often asked if we miss the warmth in SA. Our reply is always that we are far warmer in the UK than we were in SA during the winter months – we have actually become very spoilt. ‘Warmth’ in the SA winter was always thick jersey layers, old hockey socks, a blanket round the shoulders and legs in the lounge at night and flipping a coin to see who would have to get up to make a hot drink for all. We relied on stand-alone oil filled heaters with 2 or 3 upright vertical cells that used electricty to run them when we had a particularly cold ‘snap’ One of my sons still in Johannesburg did a rebuild, and in the process installed underfloor heating in the bedrooms and bathrooms and an expensive German slow wood burner in the lounge. This requires a special type of wood at a high price. Winter only lasts for 2 to 3 months and interspersed between them, as in Malta there is the glorious, vibrant yellow sunlight to chase away those cold ‘blues’.
No heating at all.
“Their mantra is that if people lived in the 1700s in it without heating, then they can too.”
This expresses my feelings precisely; I couldn’t have written it better
My thinking is that if 18th century man in Malta had had better heating available, then no doubt he would have used it gladly. Also, we lead far more sedentary lives these days so feel the cold more inside. My hands are numbing at the computer keyboard right now. And I don’t think they bothered having baths much in those days in winter either!
Really interesting article Liz. My current situation is open hearth in the living room (with chimney that goes up through the bedroom), which gobbles logs but not as fast as yours, aircon in the bedrooms (which I do use to heat as well as cool), and a fan heater that follows me around as necessary.
I’ve often thought about gas heaters due to cost, but the house is an old house of character with small rooms and precious little space to put one. I have way too many bookshelves…
What I have now probably isn’t the absolute best solution but it’s the best I’ve got so far.
Exactly our situation Andy – a variety of room-by-room heaters and options which come into play at various times of day and weather conditions! My lounge is now warm enough after five nights of logs to forgo a night or two’s burning; and we’ve not yet resorted this winter to those awful gas heaters, which literally gas us. I know people swear by them.. but I think they are going to be a death knell at some point to someone. Choice of heating is always a cost vs comfort vs safety & health equation.
I don’t normally comment on blogs. I did however really enjoy reading the original authors post. I’ll go through the rest of the website. Thanks
Thanks for your comment. The heating issue is a perennial problem without easy solution here in Malta and we tried to reflect this as well as some pros and cons of popular heating methods. Even with a plethora of new technologies, the choice, cost and effectiveness equation is hard to work out. Some people swear by no heating, but run dehumidifiers, which others, including architects I know, say just draws more moisture through the porous limestone. They are now expensive to run with our electricity prices. Thank goodness this last winter was mild, though we will pay the price for a water shortage now this summer!
I know I am awfully late with this, but if anyone is still reading any of these comments, I just have to say how much I enjoyed the article.
I must admit, being from Scandinavia, that I find the coldest months in the winter almost unbearable indoors. It is SUCH a paradox, that outdoors we are hardly ever cold, but INDOORS we are freezing! If only the building style here was similar to Northern Europe! With the combination of the lovely,mild Maltese winters and comfortable,insulated Nordic houses, it would be a perfect place to live!!!
Maria, I know! I’ve been wishing for that impossible combo of luxuries for 16 years! I am just about to contemplate putting a new room on my old house, and wondering if technology has moved on enough to give me the winter heating I need, and insulation. It will have 4 exterior walls – so I am none to happy about freezing or baking! If I come across the ultimate answer, I’ll post it here! Luckily, this year, 2010, it’s nice and warm still in Malta at end November.
[...] And when all the above fail to entice, then we in Malta are in the unique position of being able to do what our counterparts in Northern Europe do – retreat indoors, bemoan the cold and light a fire (we don’t have central heating so it’s wood, electric, paraffin, gas). In Malta though, perhaps we do get the best of winters! But do see our lessons learnt on heating a house in Malta in winter! [...]
[...] are feeling chilled to the bone – well, inside our houses anyway as it’s always tricky heating up our limestone igloos. So, it’s time to indulge with a half day somewhere warm and get a fix of wellness treatments [...]
[...] Be aware of the lack of central heating as it does get cold here in Malta in the winter and we were quite shocked at the idea of placing a [...]
Has anyone used “electric oil filled radiators”? We live in Greece at the moment and have used these in the past, didn’t find them particularly expensive to run.
Does anyone know a company with reasonable pricing that does residential underfloor heating? I’ve searched the web and came with just a couple of names. And what is the cost of that? Any info is appreciated!
Janet, the guy who I quoted in the article might help out with the name of the co he used. I’ll ask him and get back to you.
Hi Elizabeth, I would appreciate that company name. I am still searching for information, Maltese companies seems almost inaccessible online.
Janet,
Here goes – the company a close friend used. It is online. Good luck!
ThermoNetz® Malta
HPS Trading Ltd.
23, Triq San Dwardu, Vittoriosa BRG 9033
The Specialist for Under Floor Heating
Phone: (+356) 21667635
Mobile: (+356) 79268451
website http://www.hps24.com
Thank you!
Our pleasure. Wish you luck with it. Sadly not something I can put in our house as would mean digging up everything at great expense. But if you’re starting out afresh and mid works, definitely worth a try. The commentator in the piece on heating said he’s happy with the ambient warmth which takes that damp chill off, but just don’t expect piping warmth rising higher – you’ll still need those layers but not having the aura of damp will be a bonus no doubt! Not looking overly forward to winter – 3 months to go before post Xmas the worst – Jan-March. Though the late spring this year, 2011, meant it was a bit uncomfy inside till far later I found.
anyone knows were to get an Outdoor Gas heater from in Malta ?
Don’t know about functionality and ‘great’ but try Home Direct on the San Gwann industrial estate, or perhaps Homemate in Mriehel.
I am utterly diappointed in this small rock,much money is being spent on unworthy things around the island but a system to make your house habitable and cosy in the winter and you can stay a night in ,watching the rain and snuggle…that will only be a dream,whereas,it does not have to be a luxury to own central heating,why?? EVerywhere in europe they have it,either with gas or oil.all they need to do is equip your house with a main supply of gas that is all….and it will cost less than Arriva for sure
But politically speaking its a nation for the government not a government for the nation….always like that…
Hi I have nearly tried all the heating systems above, but none compare with the actual central heating. I lived for a couple of months in Australia and they had a wonderful system installed. A sort of a big water heater in the garage and small vents in the skarting around all the rooms. Its so nice and warm. I have a solar water heater installed and am wondering if it can be used in some way to heat the house during the winter time. Anyone knows of people installing central heating in Malta. Thanks.
Lino, I couldn’t agree more; nothing beats central heating, I write, as my right hand freezes to the mouse! I did once have a kerosene heater (Japanese, digital settings) that could heat one room to central heating standards but sadly it went Kaput after 2 years and the shop I got it from here in Malta had closed down, so I have no idea how to get it mended. Sadly, as it was the near-best to central heating I’ve come across in 18 winters in Malta. Thanks for posting and no, for those living in colder climes thinking we’re moaning, Maltese winters aren’t short or bearable inside our houses. Try one and see!
What a fantastic page made great reading + my fingers are now blue!!.after living here for 30yrs my advice is invest in thermal undies and socks and simply layer up.Get rid of the open plan start investing in doors and get yourself a nice cosy room and place a small heater of your choice for a while and relax with your lovely soft fleece .
Lynn,
Just what I do – one room as hot as you can get it; with laptops and home wifi decamping to that one room is possible! Thermals – someone else I know recommended them recently, said that M&S in Malta do a good trade in them. Not gone down that route yet, but can see it coming. Thermals not what they were in the 1970s I guess – all thick stuff that won’t go in the washing machine!
Hi Elizabeth, a short update to my inquiries from few months ago – I ended up using the company recommended above and installed underfloor heating. It works really well and does exactly what’s described – quietly produces dry heat, evenly distributed. I can’t say the running costs so far – I have to receive the bill for the past month yet and haven’t used the heating for very long. The complete installation is expensive and depends on the total area of your house. For some reason it’s considered new in Malta and some companies I contacted (1) give sky-high quotations; (2) are not able to explain properly what the heating is all about – installation and all. Anyway, if not for the installation costs (and upcoming electricity charges) I would recommend it highly. Cheers to everyone suffering from cold.
Janet, thanks for your kind update on the underfloor heating. I would love to go down that route but ripping up a vast amount of old stone and tile flooringwoud be impossible in my old house. I await with interest your findings when the bill comes in! I hope it’s reasonable and justifies the heating expenses. It’s so difficult to know really, in advance. At least you’re enjoying a dry overall warmth while I shivver in damp with the odd blast of those wheely gas heaters!
Did anyone try heating with a convection balanced flue gas heater?
http://www.drufire.co.uk/product_rang/balanced_flue_gas_wall_heaters.aspx
Should have about the same efficiency as the portable gas heaters. Without the smells, the oxygen loss and the moisture.
Jacob, I’ve not heard of that system. It would depend on the gas supply – are you still talking bottled gas here? There are larger bottles available, but I’ve not heard of them being used in a flu-based system. Anyone know?
Yes, it is possible with the standard gas bottles. The bottle can stay outside. Could it really be that this system has not been tested in Malta?
The fireplace guy told me, he never installed the system and did not really know why …..price, zhe need for a hole in the wall?
My grandparent use to heat their house in Holland with it. In Holland it was common in the 60/70′s.
Interesting article. I have lived here for nearly 4 years and this is the coldest I’ve been. And yes, indoors is really cold. People just don’t believe it. I also had 10 years here as a child, but I only remember the hot, sunny days! Please, if anyone knows of a trustworthy central heating company????
Jo,
Nostalgia always makes us see things differently! In my 18 years here, I have to say I remember the early 5 years or so being very mild winters, balmy even. The last 5 not so. Or perhaps as I get older, I just can’t take the damp anymore. But, since all Europe is having an exceptional cold snap right now, some of it filters across the Med to us, still cold, despite the sea warming it a little. Central heating? That’s wishful thinking for most of us!