Related Videos
ALL VIDEOS
Patio Heater Controls: An Overview
Here's a breakdown of the various options available
Follow PatioHeatandShade on Social Media
Here's a breakdown of the various options available
Infrared Electric patio heaters use radiant heat technology to warm people and objects directly, not the air. Infrared heaters operate like the sun warming your skin on a sunny day which make them the perfect solution to keep you warm year-round. With multiple brands, sizes, styles and wattages to choose from, we have created a (5) step guide to help you narrow your search.
One of the key features to pay attention to when selecting an infrared electric heater is to consider the type of infrared wave technology the heater is operating off of. There are three different types of infrared technology: Short Wave, Medium Wave, and Long Wave infrared heat. Each type has its own pros and cons and should be the first thing you consider when analyzing your space to determine which type would suit your application best.
Radiant Efficiency: Most Efficient (90/10)
ElementGlow: Harsh Orange Glow
Heat Distribution: Not Susceptible to Wind
Environments: Outdoor Applications, Colder Climates
Warm Up Time: Instant
Consider Aura, Dimplex, FireSense, Solaira, Victory Heaters
Radiant Efficiency: Least Efficient (40/60)
ElementGlow: No Glow
Heat Distribution: Susceptible to Wind
Environments: Indoor Applications
Warm Up Time: 5+ Minutes
Infrared heaters will heat people and objects, so next you will want to analyze your space and determine what you would like to heat. Do you want to heat your entire space throughout or is there a specific area what you would like to heat?
You will want to know the length and width of the space you want to heat. This will help you determine how many units. Each heater will have a specific heat bloom, and this is the amount of heat coverage area that unit will give off.
Example: if you have a space that is a 30ft x 20ft and you want to heat the entire space, you will need multiple units, versus if you want to heat specific seating and dining areas, you will need less.
Now that you have identified the space you want to heat, next measure your mounting height. This will help you determine which wattage to choose. Each brand will have multiple wattages to choose from, typically the higher the mounting height, the higher the wattage you will need.
As we mentioned earlier, the higher the mounting height, the higher the heater wattage will need to be. Each heater will have a recommended mounting height and we encourage to follow those recommendations when choosing your heater.
Cons
Electric heaters have the most versatility when it comes to mounting options. Electric heaters usually have smaller clearance to combustible minimums when compared to gas and are safe for indoor and outdoor use. Mounting options are listed below, double check the unit you have chosen has your ideal installation type.
Another important piece when looking at the wattage of the heater you need to confirm with your installer/electrician that your electrical panel can handle the wattage. The most important calculation that will help you determine how much room you will need in your panel for a heater is the amount of amperage (amps) the heater is pulling. To calculate the amps you take the wattage of the heater and divide it by the voltage of the heater.
Example:
Formula: Wattage/Voltage = Amps
A 6,000 watt heater at 240v will pull 25 amps. Your installer/electrician will need to confirm that your panel can handle 25 amps to accommodate the heater.
6000 Watts/240 Volts = 25 Amps
The final piece to consider when finalizing your heater selection is to ask yourself how do I want to control the heater? Do I want just a simple on and off control? Do I want to be able to dim it from 0 -100%? Or do I want to integrate it into a smart home system? Each manufacture will offer different control options and knowing the befits will help solidify your choice.
Pros
With our list of industry-leading brands to choose from, we are confident we can help you find the perfect solution to accommodate your application. Our trained staff has years of experience and are happy to help you choose the best solution for your outdoor space. Our Patio Specialists are ready to answer all of your questions, give us a call today and take advantage of our FREE heating design consultation at 855-298-4922.
