Patio Heaters 101: Types, Benefits and What You Should Know

Since many people are putting as much time and money into their outdoor space as they do their home, the use of an outdoor heater has become more popular than ever. These outdoor patio heaters allow the homeowner to extend their outdoor time for social gatherings with family and friends. Outdoor heaters provide warmth while also maintaining a safe environment. Just because the temperature has dropped does not mean that outside socializing has to be over. If you are someone that enjoys social gatherings year round the benefits outweigh the additional expense.

Outdoor patio heaters come in many shapes and styles. Many of the heaters blend in so well with their surroundings that you do not even know that they are there. There are portable heaters that require very little installation or you can put in a permanent structure if so desired. Depending on your budget and size of the area you are looking to cover the cost will vary.

Types of Outdoor Patio Heaters

Electric heaters - These heaters are more expensive than most other outdoor heaters, but they are permanent. The electric heater is mounted and virtually maintenance free. They have no annoying red glare and produce no fumes, making them very safe. The heater is controlled by a switch allowing you to easily turn on or off with ease. They come in a variety of styles to blend in with any home décor. Professional installation is required as it is recommended by the manufacturer that they have their own designated electric line.

Natural gas heaters - These types of outdoor patio heaters can be portable or permanent structures. They use either a propane tank or a natural gas line and professional installation is required for the line. These are energy efficient and produce an abundance of heat. These heaters are most often less expensive than the electric heater.

Considerations

As with any heater proper installation is a must. Follow the installation instructions to avoid a fire hazard. Safety should always be your first concern. Do not place your outdoor heater near debris, wood, plastic or plants. If purchasing a table top model ensure the area is large enough to support the heater.

Outdoor patio heaters are good for maintaining warmth outside while the weather is cool. While there are some considerations to keep in mind, outdoor patio heaters are generally a safe way to ensure that your outdoor living does not end before you are ready.

Defining Outdoor Patio Heater and Its Uses

What exactly is an outdoor patio heater? Well, it's a modern based outdoor heater that can be used for all the outdoor activities. Due to their appealing outlook and attractive designs, these heaters have become a household commodity now.

Shape And Functions:

An outdoor patio heater comes in different shapes and sizes. So, how does it look like? Generally, it looks like an umbrella with its upper body installed on a long stem. There is a gadget beneath the upper part or let's say at its top. What does this gadget do? Mainly, this gadget serves the purpose of maintaining and releasing heat. The trapped heat circulates throughout the heater. The heating can be controlled by a cooking unit lookalike regulator, which can easily increase or decrease the heat.

Range Of Heat:

The heaters have the ability to produce heat up to a range of six meters. Quite a good range for any efficient heater isn't it? Such heater can run on electricity, LPG and propane other than gas.

Modified Outdoor Patio Heaters:

The modified form of outdoor patio heaters is known as Infra Red type of heaters, which are run on grid electrical energy.

Uses of Heaters:

Why outdoor patio heaters are getting all popular? Whether you want to enjoy the cool winter breeze or just want to enjoy watching the rain while sitting in your balcony, these heaters will offer you pure comfort by keeping the temperature warm.

These days, the trend of opening up outdoor restaurants is on the rise. The main purpose of these open-air bars or restaurants is to increase the sitting time of their customers. People can enjoy various entertaining activities arranged by the bars and restaurants owners for instance comedy shows, magic shows, karaoke parties and much more even in the coolest of weathers. These heaters are just amazing and can keep us warm in the coolest of the weather.

Affordability:

These outdoor heaters are worth the price and do not fall heavy on your pocket. Yes! Offering the perfect combination of performance and affordability, an outdoor patio heater is the perfect choice for group meetings, get together, birthday/wedding functions and all kind of outdoor parties and events. What's better than a multipurpose heater especially when you don't want to go overboard with your finances as well? The best suggestion at this time is to go for an outdoor patio heater today!

Patio Heaters for a Warm and Comfortable Patio to Stay

Perhaps you already feel the chilly wind when you stay few minutes in your patio. Before everything turns to unbearable coldness, you better prepare and acquire a patio heater. This outdoor item is very helpful for individuals who love to spend time outdoors to relax. It fights off the cold atmosphere thus giving a cozy ambiance for a comfortable place to stay.

Some types of patio heaters are fire pits, fireplaces chiminea and the latest addition is the umbrella type patio heaters. These heaters use different fuel sources such as propane, natural gas, electricity and wood. All of these types offer efficient heating performance that is very useful for enjoying and extending time in the patio without getting cold.

When choosing the heater, determine first the size of the space you want to heat up. A 20lbs. propane tank used in propane patio heaters can heat up areas up to 20ft. in diameter. You must also consider the fuel source to which you think is efficient and to help you save money.

Heaters for outdoor use come in elegant finishes such as bronze, copper and stainless steel so it could also add beauty to your outdoor space.

There are some safety reminders that you have to follow when using the heaters for outdoor use. First, since it is intended for outdoor utilization, it must not be used inside the house. When storing, store the heater and its accessories in a safe garden or tool shed and lock so children won't easily open it.

When the heater is on in the patio, don't allow children to touch and play near the unit to avoid burns and other hazard. Also remind adults to be careful since there is the heater burning on the side. Moreover, place the heater in the corner where it can be easily reach by the children.

With the heating efficiency of the patio heaters, pastime activities, having a cup of coffee in the patio or even an overnight party celebration can happen comfortably. Everyone will enjoy the outdoor while sitting down on one the of the outdoor furniture comfortably.

Buying a Patio Heater With Confidence

Outdoor patio heaters can be found on offer at numerous E-commerce stores as well as major brick and mortar stores. The question then becomes where to buy from and more importantly which brand is going to give the best bang for the buck. Another very important consideration is the fuel source that you have available to you at your location.

Price isn't everything - Test their Outdoor Heater Knowledge

Where to buy from - it is so important to be sure of all of the needs above are dealt with that you should ask questions and run as fast as you can if you are not given specific answers that you can verify. On-line stores generally offer best pricing, but I recommend that you call and speak with their customer service as you do need to ask the questions. If they do not appear to be knowledgeable about the product call another company.

Which Outdoor Patio Heater is Right

Look for outdoor electric and gas heaters that operate on the principal of generating the heat via infra-red rays. The benefit of this that the heat generated does not heat the air but heats the object. The object being, the human body, concrete/tile floor etc. One should also be aware that although gas heaters are sold as infra-red heaters, for them to operate in this manner, they need to be run on their high heat setting.

Which is the correct heater for your needs - outside heaters are available in versions running off liquid propane, natural gas and electricity. From a cost of running perspective, natural gas is generally the most cost effective followed by the other two forms at about an equal cost? For the casual user the cost of running will not be a significant issue due to the generally low hours that the heater is used for on a daily basis. For commercial installations this can very quickly become an issue. Both electric and gas heaters come in formats that are free standing or wall mounted. Where possible a wall mounted heater is the preferred choice due to the fact that you then free up floor space and avoid loose wires or gas feeds to trip on.

Outdoor Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are available predominantly in 120V or 240V format. The power rating of the heater is limited by the voltage. You therefore will not see 120V heaters running at more than 1500W which is equivalent to most ladies hair dryers. These 120V heaters are mostly used where you have one or two chairs closely situated and you would place the heater next to the chair or between them and receive very localized heat. In moving up to 240v electric supply your power options increase substantially with the 6000W heater generally being about the most powerful unit that you will find. At this point it becomes very important that you select the correct heater based on your criteria. You need to look at the height at which you will be able to install the heater, how large an area you want to heat and what your prevailing temperature will be at the time that you want to use the heater. With outdoor electric heaters matching the heater to the installation height is critical. By not being aware of this criterion you will invariably find that you have less heat than what you expected or needed or if the heater is too powerful for the installation height, you will constantly be uncomfortable with a feeling of being overheated or worse yet cooked. It is best practice to install a heater that is slightly more powerful than what you estimated your need to be and then be sure to use a controller that allows you to control the heat output as needed.

Gas Patio Heaters

Gas heaters - come in free standing versions and wall mount and as mentioned, use propane or natural gas as the fuel, otherwise know as, outdoor gas heaters. Free standing heaters have an average output ranging between thirty to fifty thousand BTU. The available brands and models range in price from $199 to $1500. As is the case in most instances in life, you get what you pay for. The low cost versions generally burn at a lower heat than advertised, don't have parts availability and will need replacing far sooner than the better quality units. Wall mount gas heaters are available in versions that use a low voltage electrical current to ignite the heater from a switch on the wall or via a remote.

Whatever your choice or installation, it is always recommended to purchase from a company that is knowledgeable about their product.

Gas Patio Heaters: Your Efficient Winter Heaters

Who doesn't know about gas patio heaters? For sure, all of us know how important and valuable these heaters are for they are the most needed during winter time. They are the most common decorative items that shall not be missing in your exterior particularly if you are living in one of the coldest places. There are many benefits that you could get out of having heaters and you don't only spend for them just to complete your exterior set up. They are not just purely for decorations or purely for giving you warmth. They add a different glow in the place, making it more romantic and alive.

patio heaters are actually categorized based on their fuels. There are various types of heating units that you can find but based on costumers rates and reviews online, the top choices include the electric, propane and gas heaters. These three heating units work with ease and lesser problems. Their functions and controls can be learned easily. They can be bought along with their handbooks or manuals so even if you are new to such heaters, you can still learn how they work and how to care for them. For most, gas heaters are the most efficient units during winter. They are getting more popular despite the rise of much modern units maybe because they perform a lot better than the rest of the heating units. gas heaters are used both for residential and commercial reasons. Now, if you think you need new heaters for your old ones are not working that good anymore then try gas heater. It's efficient and would warm your space the entire winter.

People usually give preference to gas patio heaters. With gas heaters, no more outlets needed, lesser harm, and they are friendlier so if you like to have the most convenient heaters then let it be the gas heating units. Their fuel tanks are actually placed on their bases so despite the strong wind, they remain steady. Start looking for the right gas heaters now and feel free to get portable types.

These gas patio heaters are really efficient during winter. They help you battle the cold. They give you warmth while adding that lovely flickering flame in the outside. They are a great way to fully enjoy your patio the rest of the winter. So this time your exterior can be filled with life despite the cold weather that draws you to stay inside.

Are Outdoor Electric Patio Heaters Really Affordable?

Deciding on a patio heater should always start with the choice of energy source. You’ll make life so much more easy for yourself once this done. So what make the case for electric patio heaters so strong, and what are they exactly?

Basically, electric patio heaters are fuelled by electricity as a power source. They are available on a variety of models, ranging from heaters fixed to your wall, lone-standing as well some mounted to your patio umbrella.

A Big concern for many homeowners is utilising their outdoor space optimally. If you only have small area to work with, an electric patio heater may be the number one choice for you.
If your patio area have a low head space, and outdoor electric patio heater will be a good option, as big propane heaters may be unworkable with these area. Heaters fixed to the wall is great for countering this problem and will still leave you with a lot of space to work with.

Electric patio heaters also have a very focussed heat emission. As opposed to propane heaters they do fulfil their function in keeping your guests warm and aren’t merely heating up the outdoor area, leaving everyone and everything feeling an unnatural, crisp warmth. This is arguably one of the most frequent complaints that homeowners have with propane heaters.

The maintenance and operational costs of your electric patio heater will differ massively from one region to another. It’s worthwhile doing some initial studies and cost forecasts on this to see which option will yield the lowest monthly financial commitment over time. On the issue of costs, if you are trying to trim down as much as possible on the initial spend, an electric heater will be the best choice. They tend to be dramatically lower priced than other heaters.

If you are trying to avoid the smelly, gassy odours of propane heaters, an electric patio heater is also a very good choice. Not only will you eliminate the odour and noise problem, but you will also be able to use your heater indoors – provided that you purchased a loose standing heater which you can move around.

So many homeowners consider safety as a top priority when choosing a suitable patio heater. Although electric patio heaters do have an element of danger in the form of chords and switches, they are substantially safer that its propane and gas counterparts. Bear this in mind especially if you have kids.

Even though outdoor electric patio heaters don’t do much decoratively, they are functionally a great asset to have in your patio area and will keep your friends and family nice and cosy at a staggeringly low capital outlay.