The cheapest way to heat your home in Spain
Updated: 21 October 2026, 12:00 · Source: BOE (regulated gas tariff), European Commission (heating oil), Ministry for the Ecological Transition (butane), Red Eléctrica (electricity)
With today's energy prices, the cheapest way to heat a home in Spain is a natural gas boiler: each kWh of heat costs 6.9 cents. The most expensive is an electric radiator, at 24.4 cents: 3.5 times more.
Yearly cost of heating a 90 m² flat
| System | Málaga | Valencia | Barcelona | Madrid | Burgos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas boiler | 244 € | 337 € | 462 € | 618 € | 806 € |
| Heat pump (air conditioning) | 126 € | 220 € | 345 € | 502 € | 691 € |
| Air-to-water heat pump | 147 € | 256 € | 403 € | 586 € | 806 € |
| Butane heater | 225 € | 394 € | 618 € | 899 € | 1,237 € |
| Heating oil boiler | 296 € | 517 € | 813 € | 1,183 € | 1,626 € |
| Electric radiator | 440 € | 769 € | 1,209 € | 1,758 € | 2,417 € |
Estimated yearly energy cost (taxes included) with average insulation, using the climate of each city: Málaga has very mild winters and Burgos very cold ones. The gas boiler includes the fixed term of the regulated TUR tariff. Installation and maintenance are not included.
Cost of each kWh of heat today
| System | Cost per kWh of heat |
|---|---|
| Natural gas boiler | 6.9 cents |
| Heat pump (air conditioning) | 7.0 cents |
| Air-to-water heat pump | 8.1 cents |
| Butane heater | 12.5 cents |
| Heating oil boiler | 16.4 cents |
| Electric radiator | 24.4 cents |
Comparing energy prices alone is misleading: a heat pump produces about 3.5 kWh of heat for every kWh of electricity it uses, because it takes heat from the outside air. That is why, even though electricity is more expensive than gas, heating with a heat pump is usually the cheapest option, while an electric radiator turns one kWh of electricity into just one kWh of heat.
See also: electricity price today · cost of living by province · heating calculator for your province (Spanish)
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest heating in Spain?
With today's prices, a natural gas boiler, at 6.9 cents per kWh of heat.
How much does it cost to heat a flat in Madrid?
Between €502 and €1,758 a year for a 90 m² flat, depending on the system.