Winter is officially upon us, which means dusting off those outdoor heating devices and getting them back into gear. Whether at home or for your business, there are times when using outdoor heaters can be wasteful and expensive. Thus, it’s essential to choose the right outdoor patio heater to keep things minimal on both these fronts.
Today we’ll give a rundown of the three main types of patio heaters to help make it easier to select the most suitable option for your home.
The Three Types of Outdoor Heating Devices
So, what do the gas, solid fuel, and electric heaters have in store for us this winter? Let’s learn about each of them below.
Gas Patio Heaters
This type of outdoor heating has certainly come a long way in the last few years. Now it’s safer and more environmentally friendly than ever, thanks to the hundreds of new models that have come about in the last decade.
These new models have lent to the gas patio heater’s versatility when it comes to style. That means regardless of your design preferences, you’re likely to find a gas model that suits your taste.
Gas patio heaters are especially ideal for heating gardens, transforming them into a hangout place instead of the barren wasteland it typically is during the colder months. These heaters take many forms, including wall-mounted options, parasol heaters, and heating lamps, so see what your outdoor area needs and give it a go.
LPG burners are among the most popular outdoor gas heaters. You often find them in bars, smoking areas, and other outdoor hangouts. These heaters mostly use liquid petroleum and are usually among the more expensive of the bunch. They are also bulkier in appearance and more wasteful electricity-wise than their counterparts.
Solid Fuel Patio Heaters
You can choose from numerous solid fuel burner options, including log burners and fire pits. These outdoor heating devices provide more controlled heating using wooden logs and pellets. Arguably, they also provide the best ambiance, creating an environment reminiscent of camping in the woods.
The beautiful campfire experience aside, the solid-fuel heater does leave some things to be desired. For instance, it tends to produce more smoke than other heaters, which can mess up your breathing and interrupt your comfort. The smell may be too much for some to handle and can have ill effects on health. You really don’t want to be exposed to these heaters any longer than you need to.
The fuel burner comes with practicalities that can make it difficult for some to stay warm around it. Though it provides decent heat, it requires quite some time to prepare to get to that point. It also involves considerable maintenance and is more challenging to keep going the entire evening.
As far as health and environmental impact are concerned, solid fuel burners don’t score very high, either.
Electric Patio Heaters: The Best Form of Outdoor Heating
Electric heaters hold advantages none of their counterparts have. Among the most significant is the ability to turn on and off when necessary. That’s a great way to save money and energy, especially when no one’s actually using the device.
Modern electric heaters possess sensors that turn on when triggered. They’re also more efficient and have a feature that directs warmth on a particular area or target. So, if someone is particularly cold, you can instruct the heater to direct warmth towards them instead of the surrounding areas.
Perhaps the biggest edge this outdoor heating device has over its counterparts is its zero carbon dioxide emission. Hence, its operation does not contribute to the poisoning of the atmosphere and the killing of our earth. On top of all that, electric patio heaters consume more than 80 percent less energy than gas options.
Electric heaters also don’t emit any foul smell and noise, so you’ll be fairly comfortable being exposed to them for long hours. They provide instant heat with a press of a button and are super cost-effective.
When purchasing these types of patio heaters, consider how safe a specific model makes water and electricity mixing. After all, these things are bound to occur in the wintertime.
An insulated heater should be safe and useful even in inclement weather. It also won’t break down when left outside for long periods, unlike most electric heater types.
Aim for an energy-efficient electric patio heater that oscillates heat to every inch of available space. You should be able to keep everyone safe and warm outside with this choice.
Make Your Outdoor Heater More Effective
If you have a spacious patio that requires heating, there are a few ways to ensure your choice heater warms the area optimally. One is to remove the wind factor, which has the biggest impact on heat, by setting up windbreaks.
Building structures, such as gazebos or awnings, that make your patio a more enclosed space should also contribute to dialing up your heater’s power. Combine these measures with an excellent electric patio heater, and warmth should envelop your outdoor area even during the coldest months of the year.
