A> Heat pumps are actually quite ok... for niche applications.
A> 
A> I'd rather have diesel based heating when the winter gets bad, though.
A> 
A> I think the Spanish price for kwh is around 30 cents :-(

The main sources of home heating here is heat pumps, natural gas, oil, and
propane.  In my area, I would take any of the above minus having a heat pump -
which cost way more to run and are no where near as warm.

Natural gas is very abundant and normally the least expensive under normal
circumstances.  Same with propane.  

The home I grew up with had oil heat which was really nice and warm, too.  

Heat pumps might be good in southern states where it doesn't get that cold. For
really cold climates, they end up running on auxilary electric heat and that
costs a fortune to run.

I saw the new rate for electric here will be around 9 cents this fall.  That
will be the highest rate I have ever paid in history.  Around here it is
normally in the 6-7 cent kwh range on average.  Since I average around 3500 kwh
in the summer months, it adds up

- Mark

--- WWIVToss v.1.52 
 * Origin:  http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (618:100/12.0)