With a chill in the air on those cool late summer evenings, you can still enjoy your patio with a patio heater. A patio heater provides comfort and extends your living space in the cool weather of late summer and early fall.
Patio heaters are ideal for entertaining friends and family for a night on the patio. Patios are a great place for cooking, entertaining and relaxing. Heating your outdoor patio or deck will extend your outdoor entertaining season and allow you to enjoy your outdoor living space for a couple of extra months.
These units offer many versatile placement options, fuel options and an array of stylish designs. The right choice will allow you to lengthen your summer season, but there are several things to consider when choosing a heater that suits your needs the best.
Power Source
Outdoor patio heaters come in a variety of different power sources, such as gas, propane and electric, but which one is best for you as the primary heat source can be confusing. Consider your lifestyle when choosing your heater and when shopping, compare the heat output of different models. Use these considerations as your guideline.
A natural gas patio heater is convenient, and start-up is immediate, but you may find that you are restricted by where it can be located. For those who already have a gas line running to your barbeque, this is the ideal situation because this will reduce your cost of connecting to a patio heater, but you’ll still have to determine the location or the heater relative to the area of the barbeque.
Propane operated patio heaters offer you the versatility of where the heater can be located, but just like propane barbeques, propane runs out. There is nothing worse than running your tank out during a large gathering, so you must always have an extra tank as your backup plan. As for cost, propane will run you a bit more money, but the flexibility of location is worth the added costs.
From the point of affordability and flexibility of location, electric heaters are often a more practical choice, but you have to consider hydro prices if your outdoor patio heater is going to run a considerable amount of time.
Dual Heat & Radiant Heat
You can choose among outdoor patio heaters that provide dual heat settings. These settings allow you to control the heat output depending on your need. Also, some outdoor patio heaters provide radiant heat. These types of heaters provide you with more efficiency that helps to control your energy costs.
Safety
You should consider the safety requirements of operating an outdoor patio heater, such as the presence of children and/or pets in the house. Your patio heater should be anchored because a toppling heater can result in burns and property damage. And, remember to place the unit in an area where the electrical cord does not become a tripping hazard.
Enjoyment
Homeowners spend a lot of money and energy in making their outdoor spaces beautiful, expansive and extendable for the seasons. A patio heater will ensure you get the most from this space and turn chilly nights into cozy, star-filled evenings enjoyed by friends and family.