Outdoor patio heaters preserve the warmth even when the night breeze blows in. Outdoor heaters allow homeowners to lengthen their outdoor entertainment season and provide a comfortable atmosphere on patios, in outdoor kitchens and in other backyard living spaces. If you’re looking for the right patio heater but aren’t sure where to begin, here are some basic facts you should know.

Assessing Your Needs

Outdoor patio heaters are specifically designed to target the desired area and are offered in gas (propane or natural gas) and electric varieties. Before you go shopping for patio heaters, you should know the size of the space being heated and how frequently you intend to use the heater, as these factors may determine a suitable energy source for your needs. For example, an 8-foot infrared heater can service a diameter of approximately 20 feet, so if you are working with a larger area, you’ll likely have to combine multiple heaters to warm the space. Similarly, if you prefer a stationary heater, you can place more emphasis on safety and efficiency than portability.

Types of Outdoor Patio Heaters

Natural gas patio heaters are incredibly economical and environmentally friendly, saving you energy and cash. They radiate heat from infra-red burners to warm objects on the patio and can be freestanding or mounted. Gas patio heaters are best for homeowners who already use a natural gas line for their appliances, where the installation of an additional appliance will be fairly simple.

Outdoor propane heaters use infrared or convection technologies (heats and redistributes cold air) to warm small and large areas, respectively. Since outdoor propane heaters are fueled by a propane tank, they are usually portable, but they also present greater safety risks. If you use the propane heater frequently, it will also be more costly and less efficient than other heating options. A major benefit of propane heaters is that two or more can be combined to generate more heat.

Electric outdoor space heaters also use infrared radiation and operate without releasing harmful emissions. Although electric patio heaters are slightly less efficient than natural gas models, they require minimal maintenance and can be installed in patio tabletops in addition to freestanding and mounted options. Similar to their indoor counterparts, electric outdoor space heaters often contain automatic shutdown features to prevent fire hazards.

No matter what type of patio heater you choose, be sure to perform maintenance and clean the vents regularly to reduce safety risks. If your outdoor patio heater is used and cared for properly, it will keep the chill from ruining your comfort for many seasons to come.