Outdoor Entertaining Made Possible with Portable
Patio Heaters
A growing trend among homeowners is building or
improving outdoor rooms, such as patios and decks.
This not only creates additional living space but also increases the
value of the property. According to the Propane Education and
Research Council (PERC), half of all homeowners thought it
was important for a home to have a relaxing outdoor room. One of the top
items PERC recommends for creating the perfect outdoor room is a
patio heater.
A study conducted by the Hearth, Patio, and
Barbecue Association (HPBA), 56 percent of all grill
owners, and 69 percent of gas grill owners, now grill outdoors
regularly throughout the year. By using an outdoor patio
heater, many of those people could continue to
enjoy the outdoors experience by also eating outside during
colder weather.
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to home
appliances. Patio heaters these days are very safe, and getting
better all the time. Many
gas heaters come with a piezo electric
starter, so there is no need for matches and no pilot light.
Another important safety element is an automatic emergency shut
off. If a unit with this feature is ever overturned or even hit too
hard, it will instantly shut itself off. This
feature makes it ideal if you have children, pets, or just expect a
lot of people to be around when you're hosting a bbq.
Choosing a Heater
Patio heaters are constructed to function using one of three
different fuel types: propane, natural gas, or electricity. Natural gas is used for
permanent, stationary heaters. Propane heaters work in a very
simple way. Propane, conveniently available in
tanks, allows a heater to be moved about. Infrared heaters are often powered by electricity, though
some are run by natural gas.
New varieties and sizes of patio heaters are available on a
regular basis. As you look through the various options below,
consider your particular needs. Do you want a stationary heater, or
a portable one? How much heat do you need considering the
number of people
you will entertain? Framing these types of questions will help
you determine what heater is right for you. Keep in mind that
portable heaters can be either free-standing or table-top models.
Free-Standing Heaters
Free-standing heaters are larger (about 95 inches tall) and more
powerful than table-top heaters. Table-top heaters, because
they are lighter and smaller, are also much easier to carry around. For larger groups, you might want to try an affordable commercial grade heater that
radiates heat in up to a 20 foot diameter. Infrared heaters are
often quite versatile; they can be be hung on a wall, on a pole, or
even possibly overhead.
Table Top Heaters
Stationary heaters are useful because they hook up to your
natural gas lines, and so do not have tanks that need to be replaced
or refilled. However, if you plan on moving the heater to different
locations, consider that you'll need a portable propane model.
The heating power of a patio heater is rated in BTUs. As an
example, a 45,000 BTU heater will produce a 20 foot heat diameter.
Free-standing heaters are often more powerful than table-top
heaters, and so can be used for larger groups.
Whichever you decide to go with, you can look forward to an
investment that lets your enjoy your time and space much more
frequently.
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