Everyone loves a nice outdoor area they can relax in. But we’re often limited to sitting outdoors during the warmer months, and when the temperatures drop, we tend to go inside. But this can change thanks to outdoor heaters. They’ll extend your backyard or patio season by creating a warm and welcoming spot. These heaters are a great way to upgrade your outdoor space and make everyone feel cosy and welcome.
Types of Outdoor Heaters
Electric Heaters
There’s a plethora of outdoor heaters on the market. Manufacturers offer products with different features, in many shapes, sizes and designs. But one of the most popular types is the simple and efficient outdoor patio electric heater. This heater can be either plugged into a regular socket or hardwired.
The plugged ones are portable, and you can install them wherever you need heat. The only thing that’s considered a disadvantage is that you’re limited to 120 volts. If you’re not planning on moving the heater, get a hardwired one. It has more power, and you can install it on walls or ceilings. Just make sure you call a professional to do the installation.
These heaters can go into every location no matter its size. One of the best things about them is that you don’t need ventilation. They use halogen or infrared lights to create the heat. This makes them an eco-friendly choice when compared to gas heaters. Plus, they’re budget-friendly and maintenance is easy to do. These heaters can be freestanding, wall or ceiling-mounted, umbrella or pole mounted.
A freestanding heater would be a wonderful option if there are tables nearby and you don’t want to deal with installing a gas heater on the walls and ceiling. This is a very common option for patios and gardens, as well as the top pick for many bars and restaurants. This is a heater that’s easy to install and you can set it up somewhere people won’t tip it over.
The overhead types are a bit more popular because of their placement. They don’t take up any floor space and are very discrete. They have a variety of controls that let you adjust the temperature, move them up and down and even connect them to a smart device around your house. These heaters can easily blend into every décor and won’t stand out if you don’t need them to.
Natural Gas Heaters
Natural gas heaters can be either connected to a natural gas tank or to the gas line that supplies your whole house. This way you can install them on walls or ceilings. Always hire a professional to do the job. Doing it on your own can end up in big damage to the property or even worse. Between permanent installation and gas tanks, it’s better to choose the permanent option. This way you won’t have to replace the tank each time the gas is gone.
Considering that it requires a professional to install it, the cost of doing it may be slightly higher, but it’s an investment worth making. They’re great as outdoor heaters but homeowners buy them for the inside as well. The flame-like effect they radiate creates a very cosy atmosphere and generates a lot of heat. All you need to do to keep this heater working is pay your gas bills.
Propane Heaters
A propane heater is one of the easiest to install. All you need is several minutes, it’s not time-consuming at all. You can do the installation on your own, there’s no need to hire a professional. One of the best things about them is their portability. You can place them anywhere and move them around because there are no sockets or gas lines they’re attached to like the outdoor patio electric heater is.
They’re also budget-friendly and super effective. You can add them in patios, gardens or backyards. If you install them inside the house, you need to have good ventilation. The only disadvantage is that you have to replace the tank once the gas runs out.
Freestanding Heaters
If your outdoor space has a table and you don’t want to deal with installations on your walls or ceiling, the freestanding heater is a great choice. Just make sure you place it in a spot where people won’t trip on it and tip it over. It usually works in bigger spaces that allow for more movement. These heaters can also double as lighting because they’re bright.
They come in many sizes so you can choose one according to your space. On average they produce around 40.000 BTUs of heat. This makes them one of the strongest heaters out there. They’re portable and easily adjustable which makes them perfect for an outdoor area.
Overhead Heaters
If you want something with a long-term fix, an overhead heater will do a great job. It belongs to the outdoor electric heaters category, and it comes in many shapes and designs. It can easily blend into any surrounding because it’s very discrete and subtle. You get a lot of control options when it comes to adjusting the temperature. Don’t try to install it on your own because of the electricity. Hire an experienced professional that knows how to do their job safely.
Ceiling & Wall Mounted Heaters
If there are small children or pets in your household, a ceiling or wall-mounted heater would be the best choice. It’ll stay out of the way while still doing its job. The kids and pets can safely walk and run around without you having to keep an eye on them all the time. This way you prevent a lot of injuries and accidents.
These mounted heaters are also a good option if you have limited space because they don’t take up any floor room. This is a heater that requires permanent installation, but it’s pretty adjustable. You can turn it in any direction and sometimes pull it up and down to target a specific area that needs more heat.
Tabletop Heaters
Tabletop heaters are great if you want the heat to be distributed evenly all around the area. They’re small and don’t have a power output as big as the other ones. They’re perfect for smaller spaces and will create a very intimate and cosy atmosphere. Tabletop heaters are cheap, small, portable and easy to store away when you don’t need them anymore.
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