Patio Heaters
Outdoor patio heaters create a welcoming environment
People are spending more time and investing more money in the areas around their home. It's not surprising, since entertaining family and friends on a backyard patio or hardwood deck is a welcome alternative to being cooped up inside, but the air can get a little chilly at night as the seasons change from Spring to Summer to Fall and to Winter. Outside space heaters provide warmth to keep things cozy so you can enjoy a comfortable al fresco dinner or catch up over a bottle of wine on a private balcony or in the garden under the stars year-round. The global outdoor heating market is expected to reach $2.75 billion by 2027. This growth is indicative of homeowners’ desire to maximize the utility of their entire property without hassle and safety concerns of traditional wood burning fires.
Power & Fuels
Most outdoor heaters are powered or fueled by electricity or gas and their heat output is measured in Watts and BTUs. In order to compare models with different fuel sources, multiply the Watts by 3.41 to calculate the equivalent BTUs. Each model offers different levels of heat settings, safety features and costs can vary greatly by fuel type and geography. These space heaters usually have manual controls on the units themselves but remote controls or mobile apps may also be available to adjust the heat of one or more heaters.
Electric Heaters
Electric space heaters can either be plugged into a standard outlet or hardwired into a system. Sales of electric models are expected to grow faster than the rest of the industry due to their low cost and easy installation. In the past, most electric units used convection heating to warm the air. Integrated fans were often used to move the warmer air around a room. However, this method of heating is less efficient than the radiant heating technology of contemporary electric infrared heaters. These energy efficient heating products primarily heat surrounding objects, which retain warmth rather than cooling in the air. Think of your experience walking from the shade into the sun on a cool day. The air temperature is the same but the sun's radiant heat provides additional warmth. Electric outdoor heater output is measured in Watts, which can be converted into BTUs for comparisons.
Natural Gas & Propane Heaters
Liquid propane and natural gas outside heaters are relatively inexpensive to operate and generate high heat. Some models utilize a radiant ceramic fascia and others have a live flame in a glass tube to generate heat. Mobile units can house readily available propane tanks, while mounted versions require plumbed connections that have high upfront installation costs. Standalone gas towers are among the most popular choices and can be seen in outdoor areas of many bars, restaurants and hotels. Their heating output is measured in British Thermal Units (a.k.a. BTUs).
Freestanding outdoor heat lamps & mounted space heating
Heaters come in a variety of styles. Portable standing patio heaters vary from large propane units that resemble floor lamps to small table top models that can go almost anywhere on your porch and require little to no assembly. Most high-end units include safety features like automatic shut-off if they're tipped over. Propane gas patio heaters have to conceal tanks or accommodate connections to remotely stored ones. If you prefer less conspicuous infrared heating, there are a myriad of mounted electric infrared heaters that can attach to a wall or the ceiling. Wall-mounted versions are great when floor space is limited and there are high (or absent) ceilings. Ceiling-mounted models are ideal when you have open walls or a lot of windows. High ceilings can be accommodated by hanging space heaters.
Outdoor options for commercial and residential settings
Gas heaters are frequently used by restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, especially the tower-style floor models. They generate a lot of heat, are relatively inexpensive to operate and heat in all directions - key for warming multiple tables. If you're hosting a party or event, like a barbecue picnic, during cooler months in an open outdoor area, you should consider these portable heating units. When floorspace is at a premium, wall or ceiling mounted natural gas heaters are often used. Most homeowners prefer modern ceiling or wall mounted electric radiant units that simply plug in or connect to existing wiring or portable models with wheels that use readily available propane tanks. Directional heat is effective in smaller spaces, while self-contained propane heaters can simply be moved to where they’re needed.
Key features to compare - Patio heaters
- Heat Output - The size of your outdoor space and the overhead coverage will dictate how much heat you need to warm the area and different heater types and sizes generate varying amounts of heat
- Power or Fuel Sources - Electric heaters or propane units are usually easier for the typical DIY project, as natural gas requires a plumbed connection
- Type of Heating Element - The wavelength emitted by electric infrared heaters impacts the level of heat, while ceramic tiles, metal grids and glass-encased flames of gas fueled heaters each vary in the heat they produce
- Installation Options - Permanent surface mounting on a side wall, ceiling, column or pole is a bit more time-intensive and connecting to gas lines must be handled by certified contractors, whereas simple plug-in or propane models have quick set-ups (NOTE - in-ceiling heaters also need recess kits to properly affix them and safeguard flammable material)
- Controls - Most gas and electric heaters have physical on/off switches and temperature dials on them but also have remote control or mobile app controls for a single or multiple heaters
Helpful articles
Frequently Asked Questions - Outdoor Infrared Heaters
Who makes the best high-end luxury outdoor heaters?
There are many manufacturers of outdoor heaters that range in price, quality and performance from small inexpensive space heaters or heat lamps to massive high-output marine-grade heaters. Decor Outdoor’s upscale residential clientele and commercial buyers tend to favor luxury brands whose durable heating items generate high heat, have installation options and have elegant or unobtrusive designs. Below are a number of high-end patio heater brands in alphabetical order.
- Bromic
- Calcana
- Detroit Radiant
- Evenglo
- Heatscope
- Heatstrip
- Infratech
- Lynx
- Patio Comfort
- RADtec
- Schwank
- Solaira
- Sunglo
- Sunpak
- Sunstar
How much heat does a patio heater produce?
Outdoor heaters typically produce between 10,000 and 40,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat. The amount of heat produced by a space heater will depend on the size and type of unit. Smaller, tabletop models typically produce between 10,000 and 15,000 BTUs, while larger, free-standing patio or deck heaters can produce up to 40,000 BTUs of heat.
How effective are space heaters at warming up an outdoor area?
The effectiveness of an outdoor space heater at heating up an outdoor setting depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the space, the type of heater being used the ambient temperature and the ventilation.
For small settings, a space heater can be quite effective outdoor heating. Portable patio heaters are especially good, as they can be moved around to direct the heat to the desired area.
Covered areas will help minimize heat-loss from heat rising and dissipating from convection heaters, although these heaters need some breeze to help circulate warm air in large spaces. Uncovered or open areas tend to do better with multiple radiant heaters, which direct infrared rays to warm objects and people rather than the air. These gas or electric infrared heaters are efficient in converting energy into heat. However, you need to make sure that heaters used in outdoor spaces that are more exposed to the elements are made from weather-resistant materials in addition to given protection from excessive rain or blowing debris.