In a patio heater, a burner atop a post, burns a fuel which (can be LPG or propane), and directs the flames against a perforated metal screen. Heat is thus evenly radiated from the surface of the screen in a circular pattern around the appliance. There is a reflector which is fixed on top of the the burner and its job is reflect heat that would be otherwise lost upwards.These days, patio heaters are gaining a lot of prominence over traditional outdoor fireplaces and the demand for them has shot through the roof.
Buying a Patio Heater
So you’ve decided to buy a patio heater. Now there are a lot of factors which you need to consider before you actually dole out cash or swipe your card to buy one. Let’s see of the points which you need to consider before making a purchase:
- Of course budget is a concern, it is easy to spend from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands
- If you want a natural gas patio heater, do you have access to natural gas, having a line run can be expensive.
- What can environment will the heater be placed in? Is it a windy environment? Does the area get enough shade? Are the ups and downs in the temperature drastic? What about trees and shrubs? Will they be around the place the patio heater will be placed?
- Should I get gas or electric? You may be surprised with the answer.
- What is the size of the area to heat, how many people will it need to serve?
- Are you planning to renovate the outer area in the near future? If yes, how will it fit in the overall design?
Budget
Budget is indeed a very important consideration before buying a patio heater as there can be quite a price range when shopping for a patio heater. While the inexpensive patio heaters may do the core job, the difference lies in the time it lasts for and the ease of maintenance.
Natural Gas or Propane?
We’ll have to ascertain as to what gas is the best for our area. While natural gas is more convenient than propane, it needs to be considered if natural gas hookup is there in the house or not. Propane patio heaters also do a fine job.
Gas vs Electric
I know what you are thinking, why would I want an electric patio heater over a gas patio heater? But you can’t dismiss the fact that electric heaters are now much more popular than they were in the past. There are a variety of reasons for this with their aesthetic appeal being very high on that list of reasons. There’s a belief that electric heaters are expensive to operate. This is nothing but a misconception. They are less expensive as propane and roughly about the same price as natural gas. Another good thing about them is that there’s literally no smoke and they do really well in windy conditions. Also, they’re much more efficient than their gas counterparts.
A beautifully designed designer fireplace like electric patio heater can add a nice feature to your outdoor living space.
