Let's not forget the obvious; the hotter the area the less heat you need. A simple example would be Madrid -V- Southern Spain. Madrid gets very cold for long periods December to February (Norway is probably warmer). The further south on the coast in which you winter the warmer and drier it usually is. But, even ten miles inland can make a big difference in temperatures/rain-fall depending on altitude etc. Cervelo covered this well in his recent reports.
Outside of Covid Mrs Lep and I have been spending a minimum of 2 months at a time between November and March (incl) in Andalucía. There is also a degree of luck. Costa Almeria is now recovering from 3 weeks of heavy rain, sand storms (according to my next door neighbour in Spain never experienced in her lifetime). But, from today on it looks good with mild sunny weather which will probably occur every day. There will be the occasional exception. But, rule of thumb in coastal Costa Almería is shorts and tee shirts from 9.00am to 4.00pm and slacks and jumper after. You could expect to have your breakfast and lunch on your terrace and dinner indoors around 9.00pm. Swimming in the Med is warm enough for us, but be prepared for Spaniards with coats buttoned up to their necks to be wondering about your sanity. Don't assume Costa del Sol is warmest and driest because it isn't.
In Costa Almería (warmest and driest region of mainland Spain) most apartments would not have fireplaces and I have never seen a place with oil powered central heating there, ever. [I am willing to concede that there are some, but I've never seen it]. Electric oil heaters are the main supply of heat when needed in all places where we stayed (including our apartment). Heat can be augmented by switching the aircon for instant heat-provision blast (I'm talking minutes only).
The Costas are laden with retired people from the UK every year during the off season months. Retired Irish people tend to avoid lengthy stays preferring Lanzarote/Gran Canaria/Fuerteventura for a week or two. That's OK too. But, the Brits have this down to a fine art and they book apartments for the same few weeks every year and usually the same apartment too.
Anybody thinking of spending say 8/9 weeks+ in off season Spain should consider much more than the weather e.g. local bus service, walking distance to good supermarket,, walking distance to beach, good walks, the ability to spend long periods reading/walking/wine-tasting/talking/exercising/making friends etc. If your apartment is big enough you may invite somebody to join you for a week or two. You may opt for a healthy exercising holiday e.g. road biking/mountain biking/jogging, but your wife/partner might just want to an unhealthy holiday and relax in as much sun as possible and drink good quality Spanish tinto @ €3.25 per bottle. You can get the plonc we pay €7.29 for in Ireland for €1.00 or less, but the Spaniards wouldn't give it to their dogs.
I didn't mean to provide such an extensive post, but if anybody wants to know my lifestyle in off season Spain just send a PM to me and I'll answer honestly.
Irish television stations are not usually supplied in Spain. But, most (if not all) would have BBC/ITV.
Location is important for the off season holidaymaker too. The last thing you need is a view of the northern end of all of the next block's wall. You need sea and mountain views and of course sunshine when it is bright.
For the Record:- I am not trying to sell anything to anybody (just to get that out of the way).
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