14 Oct, 2019 @ 13:29
1 min read

FEELING HOT: Expat installs Europe’s first solar-heated jacuzzi on Spain’s Costa Blanca

Img_0187

WHOEVER said luxury and eco-friendly couldn’t be used in the same sentence?

Expat Peter Spahn has just installed what is believed to be Europe’s first solar-heated jacuzzi at a sumptuous retreat in the Marina Baixa region of Alicante.

Using the ROOS system from Germany, Spahn has given the Finca El Almendral an ideal 38-41°C water temperature for their jacuzzi from May until September this year.

Img_2985
ECO LUXURY: The jacuzzi at Finca Los Almendros and the ROOS system solar-rapid® collector

Dr. George Biernat, owner of the Finca, used to rely on a ‘gas burner’ to heat the jacuzzi for guests.

But after installing both solar central heating and the ROOS system’s solar-rapid® collector, Biernat has slashed his annual €4,000 gas bill to zero so far this year.

“The ROOS team have never done this before, so I had to re-programme the control unit for the higher heat required for a hot tub,” Spahn, 58, told the Olive Press.

Img_0225
EUROPE FIRST: The ROOS system is typically used to heat swimming pools, which require a lower temperature

“Swimming pools are heated to around 30 degrees from June-August, so this needed a much higher temperature.

“The owner has now not turned on his gas burner for the entire period of use this year.

“The saved gas is also an aspect of climate protection, so I’m very happy that it worked so nicely.”

Spahn estimates he has worked with 160 clients since he set up his EnREAL business in 1996.

He installs both solar central heating units and the ROOS system for heating swimming pools, and says the Spanish market has been slow to capitalise on non-photovoltaic solar power.

Sony Dsc
‘VERY HAPPY’: Peter Spahn represents the ROOS System as their no. 1 installer on the Costa Blanca

“The bay area of Benidorm and Altea is the warmest spot in continental Spain. It’s a marvellous climate,” Spahn said.

“The vast majority of us moved to Spain for the sun, but I really don’t understand why we don’t make the most of it.”

Finca El Almendral general manager Dr. George Biernat added he was ‘very glad’ with the results.

“The surprising fact was indeed that the gas burner has not been used at all between May and the end of September,” Biernat said.

“I will certainly save gas and money – good for the climate and my pocket.”

Joshua Parfitt

Joshua James Parfitt is the Costa Blanca correspondent for the Olive Press. He holds a gold-standard NCTJ in multimedia journalism from the award-winning News Associates in Twickenham. His work has been published in the Sunday Times, Esquire, the Mail on Sunday, the Daily Mail, the Sun, the Sun on Sunday, the Mirror, among others. He has appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss devastating flooding in Spain, as well as making appearances on BBC and LBC radio stations.

Contact me now: joshua@theolivepress.es or call +44 07960046259. Twitter: @jjparfitt

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Fotospropias20190412231923
Previous Story

SHOESHANK REDEMPTION: Valencia prisoner escapes jail using his shoelace to undo latch on cell door

Antonio Banderas A Chorus Line
Next Story

Tickets for Antonio Banderas’s new musical A Chorus Line go on sale today at midnight on Spain’s Costa del Sol

Latest from Costa Blanca

Go toTop

More From The Olive Press

Costa Blanca airport smashes November passenger record boosted by big number of UK visitors

Costa Blanca airport smashes November passenger record boosted by big number of UK visitors

ALICANTE-ELCHE airport smashed its November passenger record by almost a

This Marbella hotel is among the 70 best in the world, according to Conde Nast Traveler magazine

CONDE Nast Traveler magazine has named this Marbella hotel among