Introducing 3 Different Patio Heaters Setups

Being out in the fresh air is always a healthy and wonderful experience. Spending too much time inside tends to make a person groggy and sluggish. No wonder, then, when summer comes most people tend to make the most of it by spending as much time outside as possible. We've all felt the disappointment when summer comes to an end and we can feel the nip of the cold and know our fun is over and we will very likely be spending a great many months wrapped up warm indoors. Goodbye fresh air, goodbye garden, goodbye patio. Well -- it doesn't have to be that way anymore. There are a huge range of patio heaters which will suit just about any conceivable space or purpose, so why not think about investing in one?

Probably the most common type of patio heater is the freestanding, large cylindrical patio heater which heats a 360° area and runs off gas bottles. These types of patio heater are absolutely ideal if you have sufficient space in your patio for the heater to be surrounded by people on all sides, or in a safe way placed against a high wall allowing for the heater to be reflected back so it isn’t going to waste.

If your patio set up has a table and the table is the focus of your usual get-togethers or time spent in the patio, then probably the best option for a patio heater would be one specially designed to sit on the table top. This way, you don’t have a bulky heater if you are pushed for space, but more important of all is, everybody sitting around the table gets to feel the heat and it makes for a nice focal point. Free standing patio heaters can only be placed to one side of a table, so people farthest away in the seating arrangement will always be colder.

Another very unique type of patio heater is an infrared patio heater. These heaters actually look a little like security flood lamps of the kind people fit into their gardens to come on when movement is detected. These patio heaters are normally wall mounted and even from a fair height can project a lot of heat down onto a concentrated area. If your patio set up is such that you have maybe just a seat or two or a small table, then one of these patio heaters could be ideal for you. Plus, they don’t take up any space on the floor because they are mounted on a wall.

Enjoy the Outdoors - With Patio Heaters Or Propane Heaters

You, being a lover of the outdoors can do no wrong with patio heaters. Patio heaters are not limited to use at home. Why not get some for your office? Then your staff can enjoy the outdoors during breaks and lunches. This gives them another place to hang out and who knows, may even boosts everyone's moral. patio heaters are also popular at outdoor dining spots.

The patio heaters can help those who need to have cigarette breaks out of the office. Smokers smoke outside so the heaters can help them keep warm.

For starters, you will need an electric starter as oppose to matches as the former is safer.

You can expect a coverage of between 10 and 20 feet in radius and between 10 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit raise in temperature.

You can find heaters that are mounted high on the wall in order to facilitate the downwards blowing of the heat. You can also find heaters that are attached to the ceiling. As well, free standing ones.

Heaters that can switch off automatically when it has reached its desired temperature is one that is ideal. For this reason, wood heaters are commonly used. For this type of heater, you can choose to have copper fire pit or stainless steel heater. The flame is well contained by a protective gate. Use your own firewood to save money but be careful about breaking the laws regarding wood combustion.

Cover the your outdoor heaters for protection.

Nevertheless, patio heaters not exactly meant for winters, rather, fall and spring. They work by means of radiated heat, which is more affordable because while the area is warmed up, the air is not heated. Unlike convection, which consumes more energy in order to heat the air and thus giving less heat to the area.

The patio heater may cost up to $300 depending on the features it has. Some of the features are emergency cut off valves, flame controllers, sealed burners and tilt switches. Newer versions of the heaters may have these incorporated features available.

The antique bronze and stainless steel version of the heaters are chic and elegant.

Like the name implies, propane heaters are self contained units that are fueled by propane gas tanks. These heaters look like antique light posts. So you can start to see that the heaters serve a double purpose; besides warming the area, they are decorative items in and of themselves, so much so that they hardly look like heaters.

There are quite a few propane heaters to choose from. It depends on how you want to use it and the layout of the area it is to heat.

The amount of heat a propane heater will release depends on the BTU that is the British Thermal Unit. The highest BTU unit is between 40,000 and 46,000. Thus, the heaters can heat the area of up to 175 square foot.

The BTU is the quantity of heat vital to increase temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree fahrenheit. Higher BTU would mean warmer temperature; however, this also depends on the design of the heater to heat certain amount of space.

How much heat you can feel also depends some on the surroundings. When walls and gates can shield the area from the wind and trap heat within, the heating capacity can be optimum.

The propane heaters will need 18 inches clearance on the ceilings.

Propane heaters can also be in a movable version. They come with wheels and therefore useful especially on bad weather days. Therefore, with this type of heater, you can choose between movable or permanent ones. Table top propane heaters are also affordable however, getting the heaters depend on how you intend to use it.

The propane heaters use the same fuel as the ones used for barbeques. They will not require installation by specialists. You will only need them if you are installing heaters that use electricity or gas line.

Types of Patio Heaters And Their Fuel Options

If you like to hold outdoor parties or simply like to spend more time outdoors, a patio heater may prove a very handy device for you. Patio heaters come in different styles, sizes and fuel options. So you can choose one keeping your particular requirements in mind. Previously, the steep prices of these heaters mostly kept them out of general use. But due to greater demand, the prices have come down in recent years and these days you can get a decent propane heater for as low as $150.

As for fuel options, these outdoor heaters come in three different types - propane heaters, electric and infrared heaters, and gas heaters. propane heaters are the most commonly used type since they do not need any extension cords or outlets and can be placed in the exact location the owner wants. For gas heaters, which are fueled by natural gas, and electric heaters, you will however have to have a nearby natural gas or electrical outlet near to the heater stand. Because of this, it is often not possible to install electric or gas heaters in the location you want without installing a new outlet.

Propane patio heaters come in two different styles - the stand alone and the table top models. If it is a small area and the guests will mostly remain seated, the table top heaters are a good option. It is recommended to place the heater at a lower level than the normal seating arrangements. Since the heat will mostly be directed upwards, this will be a more comfortable arrangement. Some of these heaters, however, come with a mushroom top that reflects a part of the heat downwards. The fuel option for these heaters is the disposable propane canisters. A single bottle can last from two to three hours, so if you are planning to spend a longer time outdoors, it is best to go for stand alone heaters.

These heaters are placed on top of a post and can be fueled by disposable bottles or an LPG hose that will be connected to a larger propane tank. These heaters can operate for longer times and the heat is spread over a larger area. You lose the portability option, but you will save more on fuel since disposable propane bottles result in greater fuel costs.

As for the fuel costs, you can save the most on that by using gas heaters. But since they require professional installation and cost significantly more than the propane heaters, people generally shy away from using them. Electric heaters cost less in fuel than propane heaters, too.

So if you are thinking about buying one of these heaters, keep these factors in mind. You can shop for patio heaters online or at local retailers. Be precise about your requirements and finding the right outdoor heater will not be difficult.