Success story: zero emissions and total savings with aerothermal and photovoltaic solar energy in a single-family house in Palafrugell (Girona, Spain)

The Riera family was looking for a comprehensive solution to eliminate their dependence on gas and electricity from the grid. Today, thanks to a hybrid aerothermal and photovoltaic system, they enjoy bill-free heating, cooling and hot water for most of the year.

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Last updated: 25 de May de 2026
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Initial situation: a household with energy dependence and high bills

The Riera family lives in a 180 m² single-family house in Palafrugell (Girona). Until recently, they relied on a gas boiler for heating and an air conditioning system for cooling. They also had an electric boiler for domestic hot water (DHW).

The result was an annual energy cost of around €2,200, in addition to a significant environmental impact due to the use of gas. Their goal was clear: to achieve energy self-sufficiency with a more sustainable system, reduce costs and improve the comfort of the house.

The study: a hybrid and customized solution

After the energy analysis of the house, an integrated system based on three axes was chosen:

  • Air-to-water aerothermal energy for heating, cooling and DHW. The heat pump extracts energy from the outside air, achieving high performance even in cold climates such as Girona winters.
  • Underfloor heating throughout the house, which guarantees thermal comfort all year round with homogeneous heat in winter and coolness in summer, without drafts.
  • Photovoltaic solar installation sized to cover 80% of the energy demand of the house, with storage battery to maximize self-consumption.

The initial forecast estimated savings of €1,900/year, in addition to significantly reducing CO₂ emissions associated with energy consumption.

The installation: state-of-the-art aerothermal and photovoltaic systems

The installation was completed in only 6 days:

  • Panasonic Aquarea 7 kW fan heater, recognized for its efficiency and reliability.
  • DHW tank of 200 l, sufficient to cover the needs of the family.
  • 14 monocrystalline solar panels (6.44 kWp), ideal for making the most of the solar radiation of the Costa Brava.
  • 6 kW inverter with 5 kWh lithium battery, which allows storing solar surplus and consuming it in hours without sun.
Success story: zero emissions and total savings with aerothermal and photovoltaic solar energy in a single-family house in Palafrugell (Girona, Spain)

Real results: energy independence and savings of 82 %.

After a full year of operation, the results have exceeded expectations:

  • Zero energy bill for 9 months of the year.
  • Annual expenditure reduced to €400, a saving of 82% compared to the previous situation.
  • Reduction of more than 3 tons of CO₂ per year, actively contributing to the energy transition and local sustainability.
  • Total comfort all year round, with silent heating in winter and natural cooling in summer thanks to underfloor heating.

Additional benefits

  • More efficient and revalued housing in the real estate market.
  • Energy independence in the face of electricity and gas price increases.
  • Lower maintenance than traditional heating and DHW systems.
  • Direct contribution to decarbonization objectives in Girona and Catalonia.

Real testimony

“Now we have not only reduced expenses, but we also feel we are doing something positive for the planet. The house is more comfortable and we have the peace of mind of not relying on energy companies.”
– Joan Riera, homeowner

Summary of the case in figures

DataResult
Type of installationAerothermal + photovoltaic + underfloor heating
Aerothermal power7 kW
PV Power6.44 kWp
Previous consumption2,200 €/year
Actual savings1,800 €/year
Amortization5 years
Emissions avoided3 t of CO₂/year

How much could you save in your home in Girona? Ask for your free, no-obligation energy study and find out if you can combine aerothermics with solar panels to reduce your bill and improve the comfort of your home.

Fotovol Technical Team
Article prepared by the Fotovol technical team, an EPC engineering firm with over 25 years of experience and more than 25 MW of installed capacity in photovoltaic projects across Girona and Catalonia. All our content is reviewed by field-experienced installation technicians.