A Hot Commodity

Outdoor patio heaters are an excellent solution for both restaurants and homeowners to meet the needs of customers, family and friends for outdoor dining and entertaining. Fortunately, these impressive units can be just as useful for the homeowner looking to extend their patio season as they are for the restaurateur looking to create a year-round outdoor dining experience. In both cases, a patio heater can make the difference between comfortable guests and no guests.

Not all patio heaters are the same, however, so we’ve put together this guide to help you decide which patio heater is right for your space. Whether you’re looking for a powerful outdoor gas heater to warm a large space, a small electric patio heater to take the chill out of the air or something in between, we have you covered.

Perks of Outdoor Heaters

Patio heaters are an excellent option for outdoor heating because they use radiant heating to warm a space. While the warmth from forced-air or convection current heaters can be carried away by the wind on a breezy day, a radiant heater works differently, similar to the heat from the sun on a clear day.

Outdoor heaters are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and price points to meet the needs of your installation. These products are also fairly low maintenance, so while your initial investment may be high depending on the area you’re looking to heat, a properly installed heater should last you many years, even in unforgiving weather.

Types of Outdoor Heaters

Natural Gas Heaters

Arguably the most powerful option, natural gas patio heaters come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are designed to be connected to an existing gas line. These units are affordable to operate for long periods of time, so they make an excellent choice for those looking to heat large spaces for long periods of time.

However, because these units will be connected to a permanent gas line, they require a professional gas plumber to ensure proper operation, which will add to installation costs.

Propane Heaters

Propane patio heaters can be found in both built-in and portable configurations. Permanently installed units offer the same benefits as a natural gas installation, including an ample gas supply. With a portable design, you can always have heat where you need it, and it's easy to store during the warmer months.

On the downside, permanent propane heaters will also require a professional installation by a certified gas plumber, while portable units will need to have their fuel levels monitored. Running out of propane in the middle of dinner is a headache no one wants to deal with.

Electric Heaters

A quality electric patio heater offers several advantages over gas heaters. First, electric heaters do not require special ventilation like gas heaters. As a result, these heaters can be used indoors in addition to outdoors. If you have a screened-in patio or a similar space, an electric heater may make an excellent choice for your needs.

Unfortunately, electric heaters do not produce as much heat as their gas counterparts, which means you’ll be limited in the amount of space you can heat. Electrical supply can also be an issue for some. While some units can plug into a standard 120-volt socket, most will require higher voltage for proper heat output. This will require the unit to be professionally hardwired to ensure safety.

The Best Patio Heater for Your Situation

The best choice of patio heater will depend on your specific needs. There are several important factors you’ll need to consider when selecting the best option for your space. While this list is far from complete, it’s a good place to start.

Heating Requirements

Make sure your heater can adequately heat your space. A too-small heater will leave your guests cold and uncomfortable, and a heater that's too big can lead to overheating. If one heater won’t do the job, consider adding multiple heaters spaced far enough apart to maximize heating coverage.

If you’re adding multiple gas heaters to your outdoor space, you’ll also need to make sure you have an adequate gas supply to fuel all of your heaters. Again, you’ll want to hire a professional gas plumber to handle this process.

Mounting Options

Consider your floor plan. This will determine whether your heater will be freestanding, wall-mounted or portable. Be sure to take into account details like foot traffic, floor or wall space and any gas or electrical connections you’ll need to make use of. If these connections are unavailable, you’ll need to ensure new lines can be run to your desired location.

Safety

One of the primary details you’ll need to be aware of when installing a patio heater is distances to combustible materials like wood. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines to ensure proper safety.

In addition, look for units carrying UL listings, CSA approval or other signs of quality assurance. These certifications signify the heater has undergone extensive testing for reliability and safety. Although certified units may cost slightly more on the front end, they will save you time and effort in maintenance costs later.

Finally, consider your control options for your patio heater. Whether you’re looking for a simple on/off switch, timer control or some kind of remote capability, many heaters can be set up in multiple ways to meet the needs of your space.

Learn More About Patio Heaters

We hope you’ve found this buying guide helpful, but if you have any other questions, we’re here to help. Give us a call or email us to speak with one of our product specialists about the patio heating options we have available. We’re here from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.