Outdoor Heaters
Outdoor heaters are the best way to make the front and backyard patios as comfortable and usable as they can be. Whether electric or outdoor gas heater, it effectively extends the season, allowing for more days spent in the fresh air. At ArchiPro, we offer a variety of patio heaters to stop the summer fun from ending too fast.
Outdoor Heaters
An outdoor patio heater is an efficient way to make more use of the outdoor living space, late in the season. Like any other type of heater, a patio heater needs fuel, in the form of propane, natural gas or electricity. Patio heaters are commonly designed for outdoor use, but some are also suitable for covered porches and semi-enclosed spaces.
Benefits of Outdoor Heaters
Most outdoor heaters are durable, made of high-grade stainless steel or resin tops. Some models also feature cover protection from moisture and UV-rays. They require little or no maintenance at all and usually need just an occasional check for obstructions in the gas line, possible leaks, or propane levels.
Patio heaters and fire pits use infrared or radiant heating. It doesn’t warm the surrounding air but sends the heat directly to the objects using energy waves as the Sun does. Still, it’s free from UV rays, also quiet and silent. They don’t compromise air quality, as long as adequately used, and leave no residues such as ash or smoke.
Today, more than ever, outdoor heaters present a focal asset and come in various attractive designs. Fire pits feature mosaic tiles and metal fabrication for mantel designs, while freestanding patio heaters boast matte or glossy finishes, stainless steel exteriors, and more.
Outdoor Electric Heater
Electric heaters commonly use a heating bulb and can be plugged almost anywhere. The downside is that it does need a plug, which puts some limits on the utilisation. Electric, particularly outdoor infrared heaters are effortless to maintain, also convenient for use in covered or enclosed spaces.
Gas Patio Heaters
Propane heaters are quick and simple but suitable only for outdoor use. They need a gas tank to work. Gas patio heaters in the form of fire pits make a major focal point in any outdoor area, especially models with tile mantels that double as tables. Some models use domes to provide a targeted heat in a circle of up to 6 meters; others can be installed on ceiling or wall and connected to a direct propane gas line.
Natural gas patio heaters offer continuous heat while requiring little to no maintenance. They attach to a natural gas line and tend to be more efficient than other types. That, however, makes these models a permanent solution that can’t be moved around per need.
Outdoor Radiant Heater
Radiant Heaters deliver safe and cost-effective warmth. Electromagnetic waves transfer infrared heat directly to the surrounding objects. Instead of heating the air (and getting a portion of warmth taken by the breeze), outdoor radiant heaters maintain the steady temperature of people in the proximity.
Styles of Outdoor Heaters
An outdoor gas heater typically uses a 20-pound propane tank incorporated into a hidden base, in place of traditional timber. A hidden control panel allows for automatic ignitions and adjustable flames. The fire pit is made of stainless steel, with lava rocks or fire glass, and usually designed as a stunning visual feature.
A standalone patio heater is the most common type of outdoor heater. It’s tall and thin, often with a dome, designed to give off a vast amount of heat for large outdoor decks and commercial spaces such as outdoor restaurant seating areas and hotel pool bars. Their tabletop version is a miniature lamp up to one meter high, ideal for side tables or sizable outdoor dining tables.
Some outdoor heater models can be mounted to a wall or a ceiling or wall, with or without an additional stand. These items are designed to save floor space, and usually require natural gas or propane lines to work.
More things to consider
Electric heaters, on average, offer up to 1,200 watts of power and can warm up 3 to 4 meters in surrounding radius. The capacity of a propane gas heater depends on tank size. Smaller tanks need more frequent replacement.
The right size of the outdoor heater depends on the relation of BTUs (British Thermal Units) and a heating factor. To reveal the minimum of BTUs needed for the designated area, the formula multiplies its size in square feet with the current temperature in Fahrenheit, minus the desired temperature.
Some convenient functions to look for are automatic shutoff and tilt-over protection that prevent a fire hazard or cool-touch glass that makes the item safe around children and pets.
Finally, the heaters should be officially certified and safety-approved.