You’ve probably seen gas patio heaters outside trendy restaurants or at luxury recreational spots. What you might not know is that it’s much easier to bring this touch of luxury to your own home these days, as prices have dropped and safety features have improved.
Especially in the chilly fall and spring months, gas patio heaters can warm your patio efficiently and safely. The large dome above the heating element helps to disperse warmth over relatively large outdoor areas, such as poolsides, patios, and outdoor eating areas. Typically, patio heaters heat radiantly. Radiant heat warms objects surrounding the heater rather than warming the air. As they aren’t wasting energy heating outside air, they warm efficiently and can focus heat where it’s needed.
You’ve probably seen the large, free-standing heaters before, but there are more portable, smaller patio heaters available for table-top use. Because they are usually fueled by the smaller 1 lb. propane cylinders, they are a lighter and more portable heater, and don’t require a separate fuel line to be installed.
Since they have a lower BTU output, these smaller heaters will produce less heat. However, if you only need to heat a handful of guests at a patio table, the table-top style will be perfect.
Nearly every patio heater uses a large bowl or reflector on the element to focus warmth. However, a few new heaters allow you to adjust the direction of the reflector to further focus the heat. For a good example, take a look at the Sahara model, manufactured by Designer’s Edge
If you need to warm your guests at a BBQ or party, patio heaters are a fantastic option. However, a quick word of caution is necessary — Because gas patio heaters typically burn propane, they can exhaust gases that can be dangerous in small spaces. Only operate propane heaters in an extremely well-ventilated area. Be sure that you pay attention to the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
For safety reasons, we’d recommend being sure your patio heater features a tip sensor. As typically found in smaller indoor heaters, these tip sensors detect if the unit has been knocked over and automatically shut off the heater. This can prove to be extremely valuable if you’ll be having children or pets playing near your heater.
If you’re looking for a full-featured patio heater without breaking the bank, check out the stainless steel patio heater from Living Accents
Patio heaters are an efficient and luxurious way to warm your patio. Perhaps even more importantly, gas patio heaters can make your party guests green with envy!
