Tips on Outdoor Patio Heaters

Outdoor patio heaters may be a luxury that you have only seen at restaurants and other commercial places. But these days, outdoor patio heaters are showing up more and more often at people’s homes. And why should they not?

When you have an outdoor patio heaters, you can continue to enjoy the great outdoors (of your backyard) through not just summer, but spring and fall, too. When you have an outdoor patio heater, you can have outdoor parties and BBQs practically all year round!

So, perhaps you have already decided to buy a one, and you really do not need any extra convincing. In that case, let us get directly to what you should be looking for:

· An electric starter. Most outdoor patio heaters come with electric starters these days, anyhow. Nonetheless, just be sure that yours does as well. It is much safer to use an electric starter than to have to deal with matches and a pilot light.

· Speaking of safety, also be sure that your outdoor patio heaters has an automatic emergency shut off, as well. This will ensure that your heater turns off automatically if it is accidentally overturned, etc.

· You must decide whether or not you want a table-top heater, a wall-mounted heater, or a free-standing heater. The benefit of a table-top heater is that it is small enough to transport with ease. Also, although it does not produce as much heat as a standing outdoor patio heater, it produces enough to keep those warm who are sitting around it.

· You must also decide how much heat you want your heater to produce. An outdoor patio heater generally can produce heat up to 20’ in diameter… of course, these heaters are going to be more expensive than less “hot” ones, and you may very well be just fine with one that has a heating range of 10’.

· Most outdoor patio heaters come in stainless steel, but it is also possible to find them with an antique copper finish or painted black, etc.

· Most outdoor patio heaters take propane or natrual gas. Consider which is best for you.

· Also, if you are spending any kind of money on a outdoor patio heater, you might as well fork over a few extra bucks to get a cover to protect it!

Good luck in your search for a great outdoor patio heater. You will more than certainly appreciate the option of staying out-of-doors for longer that a heater will give you.

Tag : patio heaters,outdoor patio heaters,propane patio heaters,gas patio heaters

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke

Patio Heaters: A Way To A Comfortable Outdoor Gatherings

Sometimes, there is nothing better than just relaxing in the patio or the deck at the time of the year when the bugs are not yet very active. Good evenings can be spent outside of the door just lazing around looking at the clear evening sky, having a silent time to yourself or have a conversation going. But evenings like these can be ended shortly when the chill sends you indoors.

An outdoor person who wants to extend his sitting season must have invented patio heaters. He must have intended to enjoy peaceful evenings and a year of summers. In many areas this cannot be possible but still it will prevent people who want to spend evenings out not to be sent in by the first blow of the cold.

Whatever the case, patio heaters can let you enjoy your outdoor nights by keeping you comfortably warm. They can come in a variety of designs, sizes and fuel sources. Patio heaters that works by radiant heat systems can be very comfortable as they are designed to give warmth to the people and not the air.

Gas, propane, wood and wood substitutes, electricity or Alco-gels can fuel patio heaters. Depending on the sizes and settings, it could warm a few feet of spaces or an entire party yard.

Just like any other heating units, patio heaters perform best when it is located near a combination of walls and fences. An overhang can optimize its heating capability as overhangs can help shield the area from winds that will be blowing directly into the heated spaces. Walls and fences likewise can help bounce the heat back instead of having the warmed air escape easily.

Patio heaters can come in the following varieties. The umbrella type patio heaters, so called because of its shape, are good for heating larger spaces. The umbrella type patio heaters are powered by propane, which is located at the bottom of the unit and radiates its heat through the top cylinder. This type of patio heater is sensitive to elements and it is important to tuck it away when not in use. Effective heating area is from 12 to 20 feet in diameter.

Wood burning patio heaters are the cheapest to maintain and operate as they use wood and wood derivatives. These patio burners however are limited to areas that do not have ordinances against burning wood in the property. Other areas will allow wood burning provided a chimney is installed to limit the scattering of sparks that could cause damage. When opting for this kind of patio burners, children have to be taught regarding its handling. Wood burning patio heaters are available in portable and collapsible units that could easily be installed. It can also come with optional cooking grills.

Patio burners that come in the gas variety and propane powered patio burners are economical to operate. Patio burners can also be powered by electricity. The limitations though is that electric powered heaters are the most expensive to maintain.

Before you decide to warm up your patios and decks, consider first whether you would want a permanent patio heaters or not, or if you prefer easy installation or the fixed variety. You might also want to consider if you want your patio heaters to be connected to your gas supply or the homey feel of burning wood.

Patio heaters can be found in the shop where you bought patio furniture while gas and propane powered patio heaters can be found in specialty shops.

Tag : patio heaters,outdoor patio heaters,propane patio heaters,gas patio heaters

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Thatcher

Warm Up the Night! Patio Heaters and Fire Pits

In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for sitting outside in the evening -- the bugs have gone and the sky is clear -- but the nights are chilly. Don't let the cool evenings send you inside -- extend your outdoor living season by heating your deck or patio.

Different heaters are available for different needs and circumstances. A heater will be powered by propane, natural gas, alcohol-gel, electricity, wood, or wood substitutes such as charcoal or artificial logs. Depending on the size and the heat source, they may warm only a small space or heat a party-size yard.

For all heating units to perform optimally, they will need the right location. The ideal site is a combination of walls or fences (to radiate the heat back into your space) and overhead structures that will prevent the wind from blowing directly through your selected area.

Here are some tips for effective and safe use:

• Wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits are generally the least expensive to buy and to operate. Check for zoning ordinances to be sure that you can burn wood on your property. Some municipalities allow wood burning in a small chimenea unit, but will not approve a built-in or dug fire pit. Wood-burning units range from small collapsible units on wheels for easy portability to huge built-in concrete fireplaces. If you are permitted to burn wood, you are sure to find a unit to suit your needs!
• If you have a pottery fireplace, or chimenea, use it cautiously as these units are lightweight and reasonably fragile. To keep the fire from getting hot enough to break the chimenea, it's best to use kindling-size wood.
• Many wood-burning units have optional cooking grills so your fire can do double duty warming your toes and your tummy. Try this yummy "pizza" recipe, cooked up in campfire irons.
• Any open fire is a potential hazard. Keep any overhead sparks from tree branches or patio overheads, and be sure to teach children proper fire safety.
• Natural gas heaters are easy to use but are usually built in and, although bottled gas may be purchased, are best limited to those areas that have natural gas service.
• Propane heaters can be economical to operate. Depending on the heat output level you set, a standard propane tank can provide 10-12 hours of heat.
• Propane-powered "mushroom" or "umbrella" heaters (so called because of their shape) are the best choice for heating large areas. They radiate warming rays from the top cylinder and provide a comfort zone of 12 - 20 feet in diameter. The propane tank is hidden in the bottom of the unit. It's a good idea to put these units away when not in use as they can be sensitive to the elements. Smaller tabletop units are also available.
• Although electric heat is usually the most expensive, there are a few electric heaters designed specifically for outdoor use. Be sure that any heater that is left outside is rated as such.

With the wide selection of outdoor heating devices available, you're sure to find one that right's for you. So heat up the night - and go right on enjoying your outdoor space.

Tag : patio heaters,outdoor patio heaters,gas patio heaters,electric patio heaters

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Rodgers