Patio heaters are a great way to extend the use of your patio into cooler months. They can also make your patio more comfortable for entertaining guests. But are they worth the cost? What are the different types of patio heaters? How much do they cost? Are they safe? In this blog post, we will answer all of these questions and help you decide if a patio heater is the right choice for you!
What are patio heaters?
Patio heaters are devices that produce heat and emit it into the surrounding area. This can make your patio more comfortable for sitting or entertaining guests. There are a few different types of patio heaters: natural gas, electric, propane, and wood-burning.
Patio heaters are usually mounted on the side of a building or freestanding. They can be found in many different colors and textures to match your home or landscape design.
How much do patio heaters cost?
The price of a patio heater will vary depending on where you buy it from and what type of material it’s made out with. A gas patio heater can cost anywhere from $150-$1000, an electric one ranges anywhere between $50-200 and a wood burning patio heater will set you back at least $100.
Are Patio heaters safe?
Patio heaters are generally safe when they are used as intended by the manufacturer. However, there have been some reports of fires and burns associated with patio heaters. It is important to always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, use common sense when operating a patio heater, and keep any flammable materials away from the unit.
Types of Patio Heaters
Natural Gas:
Natural gas patio heaters the most popular type. It works by burning natural gas which is piped in from your home. This type of heater is efficient and produces a lot of heat.
Pros:
-Efficient – Produces a lot of heat
-Low maintenance – Just needs to be cleaned occasionally
Cons:
-Must be hooked up to your home’s natural gas line or have propane tanks attached
-Can only be used outdoors, not indoors. You must install it in an area that has enough ventilation so there is no danger of carbon monoxide poisoning from the fumes emitted by burning gas (or any other kind).
Electric Patio Heaters
An electric patio heater is the cheapest type of patio heater. It works by heating a metal element with electricity, which then emits heat into the surrounding area of. Most electric patio heaters run on 120 volts of electricity and can be plugged into any standard outlet.
Pros:
-Inexpensive – Can be as little as $50
-Can be used indoors or outdoors
Cons:
-Not as efficient as a gas heater – Produces less heat for the amount of electricity used
-May not work in areas with high electricity costs
Propane Patio Heaters
There are two types of propane patio heaters: those that run on tanks and those that are hooked up to your home’s propane line. The ones that run on tanks are the most popular type. Propane heaters use a small amount of propane gas to produce heat.
Pros:
-Inexpensive – A tank of propane can last for several hours and costs between $15-$50 depending on the size of the tank
-Can be used indoors or outdoors
-Portable – Can be moved from
Cons:
-Must have a tank of propane to operate
-Can only be used outdoors, not indoors (unless you have a portable one that runs on batteries)
Wood Burning Patio Heaters
These are the most expensive type of patio heater. They work by burning wood to produce heat. Wood is inexpensive and readily available, so this type of heater can be very cost-effective over time.
Pros:
-Inexpensive to operate – Wood is much less expensive than propane or natural gas
-Can be used indoors or outdoors
Cons:
-Must have a source of wood to burn – Can’t be moved once it’s installed
-Produces a lot of smoke and ash, which can be messy
Are Patio Heaters Worth The Trouble?
The following are the benefits of patio heaters
Comfortability
Let us think for a little bit, why do we build a patio, to give ourselves a comfortable and relaxing space right. If the temperature is not perfect, we would not be able to spend quality time in our patio.
When you don’t have a proper patio heater, we would not be able to control the temperature in our patio and in most cases during winters, we would not be able to use our patio.
Style
Not only the environment, patio heaters also help in upgrading the style of your whole patio. If you are going with electric then you would be having different kinds of options to style your patio with heaters.
These electric patio heaters come in varied forms and sizes, they can be mounted at the ceiling or it can also be used in standing types where you can keep the heaters at the corner locations of your patio.
The heater also comes in varied colors, you can choose the color of your heater according to the design of your patio.
Choosing the right fuel
There are different types of patio heaters that runs on different kinds of fuels. The most common types of patio heaters based on fuel are propane heaters, electric heaters and natural gas heaters.
If you are a person who worries about the environment and if you want zero emissions then you can go with electric patio heaters. Electric patio heaters are much safer and can work with high efficiency.
If you are worried about cost you can go with propane or natural gas patio heaters. In fact, most of the outdoor equipment use propane as fuel and there are also readily available for usage.
If you are going with natural gas patio heaters then it is advisable to use a professional to install your heater.
How many patio heaters do I need?
The number of patio heaters you need will depend on the size of your outdoor space and how much heat you want to generate. A good rule of thumb is to have one heater for every 50-100 square feet.
How much do patio heaters cost?
The price of a patio heater will vary depending on the type and size you choose. Gas and electric models are the most affordable, while propane models are a little more expensive. Wood burning models are the most expensive, but also the most environmentally friendly.
Do patio heaters work in winter?
Some patio heaters can be used in winter, but most are not designed to produce enough heat to keep you warm. It is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to see if your patio heater can be used in cold weather.
Are patio heaters environmentally friendly?
The majority of patio heaters use gas or electricity to generate heat. These types of heaters are not environmentally friendly and produce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
Wood burning patio heaters are the most environmentally friendly, because they use a renewable resource (wood) to generate heat. However, they also produce the most smoke and ash.
Should I buy or rent a patio heater?
If you only plan on using your patio heater occasionally, then it may be cheaper to rent one. If you plan on using your patio heater regularly, then it is probably cheaper to buy one.
Which is better – a patio heater or fire pits?
Fire pits can provide both heat and light, while a patio heater only provides heat. Fire pits can also be used to cook food, while a patio heater cannot.
If you want to be able to enjoy your outdoor space in the evening without worrying about bugs or having to bundle up with lots of layers, then a patio heater is probably what you need. If you just want something that will provide some light and warmth when it gets dark out, then a fire pit may be a better choice.
Conclusion
If you are considering getting a patio heater , it is important to consider all of your options before making a final decision. If you are unsure which type would work best for you, it may be helpful to speak with someone who specializes in this area. It is also important to make sure that the heater will fit into your budget and provide enough heat without being too expensive to operate or maintain over time.