Patio Heater

What do I need to consider before buying a Patio Heater?

By: Ben | Filed Under Patio Heater | Patio Heater Considerations

There are several significant considerations should be made before buying a patio heater which I have detailed below:

Environment:
The patio or garden environment you are trying to heat could immediately play a factor in your decision. Is there enough height to have a free standing patio heater? Do you have a wall where a wall mounted heater would go? Is there an electricity supply if you are thinking of buying an electric patio heater? Are there any restrictions i.e. a porch awning or an outdoor kitchen (check your Outdoor Kitchens Guide) etc. Taking your environment in to consideration could narrow your searching time quite considerably.

Heat Output:
Patio Heaters come in many different shapes and sizes and can have varying levels of heat output. The required heat output depends on the size of the area you are trying to heat. If you are unsure what range would suit and maybe how strong 12.5Kw of heat actually feels like, there is always the option of asking a salesman to turn on the heater so you can get a better idea. It would be a waste of money to buy a patio heater with a 6 foot radial heat capacity if it is for a 25 foot wide patio. It would also be helpful if you find out how the heat travels as there are some patio heaters (mostly the gas type) which heat the air and can be affected by wind, where as some of the newer electric patio heaters heat objects and people and are unaffected by wind.

Safety Issues:
Most outdoor patio heaters come with an automatic shut off device that will instantly cut the heat to your heater to prevent I overheating. They also can come with tilt shut off devices that cuts off the heat source if the heater is tipped up or blown over ensuring that the surroundings will not catch fire. These, together with the usual heat adjustment buttons are the most common safety precautions items found within most types of patio heaters. It is always best practice to ask about the available safety features before purchasing as this area being an important one often influences people’s decisions on whether or not to buy the heater.

Cost:
The traditional full standing gas patio heaters seem to be on the whole slightly less expensive than the free standing electric patio heaters although prices can range depending on the heat output and style. You seem to pay a little more for the style and design of a propane heater compared to the electric version, which seem a bit more basic looking. The wall mounted electric patio heater tends to cost less as they are much smaller and don’t require a base like a standing patio heater, but the price can easily vary depending on the heat output requirement. A table gas patio heater which is the most common table heater is more commonly the cheapest type on the market due to its size.

It must be said that the cheapest or dearest heater available or the heater that has the greatest heat output or the largest number of safety features doesn’t always make it the best. Make sure that you consider all of the other factors mentioned when choosing your patio heater.