Patio Umbrellas, Heaters, Shades | Patio Heat and Shade

With cooler temperatures right around the corner it’s time to start thinking how you can continue utilizing your outdoor space once the temperature drops. Infrared patio heaters are the perfect solution to keep you warm. Infrared patio heaters are not like conventional forced air heaters that use fans to blow out hot air to warm a space. Instead, infrared heaters use radiant heat technology to warm people and objects directly, not the air. Radiant heat is like the sun warming your skin on a sunny day. Because radiant heat focuses on objects and not air, infrared heaters are the perfect solution to help maximize your outdoor space year-round.

With all the different sizes, styles and fuel types to choose from, choosing the right patio heater can be a bit overwhelming, but we are here to help. This guide will help you explore the different fuel types available and the most important factors you should consider when purchasing an infrared patio heater for your space.

hanging tungsten series heaters by bromic

﻿Tungsten Series by Bromic﻿

﻿WD Series by Infratech﻿

Fuel Types

There are (3) main fuel types to consider when it comes to infrared patio heaters and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s break down each type and determine which fuel source is right for you.

﻿Natural Gas﻿

Natural gas heaters are connected directly to a gas line and must be installed by a licensed professional. For this reason, natural gas heaters usually have a higher material and installation cost compared to the other fuel types. Although the initial upfront cost may be more expensive, over time the cost to operate a natural gas heater is the least expensive of the three fuel types. Natural gas heaters usually have a larger heat projection but are susceptible to wind. If you live in a windy area the chances of the flame being blown out is much higher. Because natural gas heaters produce carbon monoxide, they must be installed only in outdoor well-ventilated spaces.

Benefits

Cheapest of the three fuel sources to operate
Have higher heat projections

Keep in Mind

Must be installed outdoors in well ventilated spaces
Have a higher upfront cost﻿
Susceptible to wind gusts﻿

﻿Propane Gas﻿

Propane heaters are the easiest of the three to add to your patio because they require no installation and minimal assembly. A 20lb propane tank, that you can pick up at any local hardware or grocery store, is the only item you need to get the heater up and running. Propane heaters are usually portable units which makes these perfect for spot heating, simply move to the area you would like to heat. Because these require propane tanks, the cost to operate is the highest of the three because you must constantly replace the tank once the fuel runs out. A propane heater will run on average 8-10 hours on a single tank.

Benefits

No installation and minimal assembly required
Heat up quickly
Portable; Can be moved around the patio

Keep in Mind

Must be installed outdoors in well-ventilated spaces
Tanks must be replaced constantly
Can be obtrusive and take up valuable floor space

﻿Electric﻿

Heaters are convenient because they have multiple mounting options available, wall, ceiling, flush mounted into ceiling or even portable. Electric heaters typically have a lower material cost compared to gas and can be installed by any certified electrician. Although electric heaters have a lower material cost, they have a higher operation cost when compared to gas because electricity is usually more expensive than gas. Because electric heaters do not emit any carbon monoxide, they can be installed in both indoor and outdoor applications and are the cleanest type of infrared heat

Benefits

Not susceptible to wind
No ventilation required; Can be installed indoors or outdoors
Multiple mounting options available

Keep in Mind

Usually more expensive to operate﻿
May be slow to warm up﻿
Lower heat coverage compared to gas

﻿Freestanding/ Portable Heaters﻿

Fuel Source: Liquid Propane, Natural Gas, and Electric

Also known as “mushroom” style heaters. These are common heaters that you will see in a restaurant type setting. These are usually the least expensive style and require minimal assembly or installation. These units are tall, thin, and great for spot heating specific areas.

﻿Wall/Ceiling Mount﻿

Fuel Source: Liquid Propane, Natural Gas and Electric

These units are for people who are looking for a permanent install solution. These are great because they are suspended above and do not take up any valuable floor space. These units come in all the fuel source options and have multiple colors and designs to choose from. Depending on how many units you purchase, these are good for both spot heating and for heating larger spaces.

﻿Recessed Mount﻿

Fuel Source: Electric

This style is for those who are looking to blend their heaters into their overall aesthetic. These units are tucked into the ceiling, similar to a can light and must be installed on a flat ceiling only. Electric heaters are the only fuel source that can accomplish this installation type with proper clearance to combustibles.

Now that you have considered the three fuel sources and the different styles, hopefully you have made an initial decision on which style and type is best for you. The hard part is over, now let’s consider other important factors that you will need to prioritize to help finalize your decision.

5 Factors to Consider

1. What do you want to heat?

This style is for those who are looking to blend their heaters into their overall aesthetic. These units are tucked into the ceiling, similar to a can light and must be installed on a flat ceiling only. Electric heaters are the only fuel source that can accomplish this installation type with proper clearance to combustibles.

2. What’s your Budget?

Patio heaters have endless possibilities as far as style and sizes and there are multiple brands to choose from so giving yourself a max budget will help narrow your search. When setting your budget, you need to consider any additional costs that may come up. For example, do the heaters come with mounting brackets and controls or do I need to purchase those separately? Portable heaters usually range in the $100 - $800 range based on material. Electric heaters typically range in the $500 -$1000 range depending on size, wattage, and style. Gas Heaters range in the $800 - $1500 range depending on size, BTU rating and material. The larger the space the more heaters may be required for your space or the higher the wattage and these costs can add up quickly. With multiple brands to choose from there is a solution for every budget big or small.

3. What Power Do You Have Available?

If you are looking to do a permanent installation of a gas or electric heater you must determine what kind of power is required to operate the unit. If you are looking at natural gas, do you already have a gas line plumbed to handle the unit? If you are looking at electric what is the voltage requirement? Effective electric heaters are usually operating off 208V or higher so making sure that your panel can handle the additional load will be key.

4. What’s the Typical Weather?

Infrared patio heaters are not going to turn winter into summer. Radiant heaters are known to give off a comfortable warmth where it can feel anywhere from 8 -10 degrees warmer than the ambient temperature.

Take into consideration what your typical ambient temperature is, and this can help you determine how many and what kind of heater to consider. For example, if you live in a windy area gas heaters may not be the best solution because the flame may be blown out. For these scenarios it would be best to go with electric units or a gas heater with a higher wind resistance rating.

5. How Do You Want to Control Your Units?

Keeping your budget in mind after you have selected your heater you will want to be aware of what control options are available. When planning your heating system is to ask yourself “how do I want to control these units.” Whether you are looking for a simple hi/lo switch on the wall or interested in more sophisticated variable control settings, it's important to know if the heater of your choice has the control capabilities that you are looking for. Remember, the more features you want out of your heating system, the higher the cost will be.

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.

How to Choose the Best Patio Heater

Fuel Types

1. What do you want to heat?

2. What’s your Budget?

3. What Power Do You Have Available?

4. What’s the Typical Weather?

5. How Do You Want to Control Your Units?

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Ideas & Inspiration

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Follow PatioHeatandShade on Social Media

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How to Choose the Best Patio Heater

Fuel Types

1. What do you want to heat?

2. What’s your Budget?

3. What Power Do You Have Available?

4. What’s the Typical Weather?

5. How Do You Want to Control Your Units?

Related Videos

﻿ALL VIDEOS﻿

Must-Have Information Before Your Heating Consultation

Gas vs. Electric Patio Heaters: Which One Do I Need?

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Follow PatioHeatandShade on Social Media

Related Videos

﻿ALL VIDEOS﻿

Must-Have Information Before Your Heating Consultation

Gas vs. Electric Patio Heaters: Which One Do I Need?

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications

Follow PatioHeatandShade on Social Media

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications

ALL VIDEOS

ALL VIDEOS