A patio is a fun place to relax in the evening where you can dine outdoors, chat with friends, or just gaze at the stars. However, it can get chilly at night, even in the summer. A solution for this problem is to get a patio heater. You can enjoy your patio more days and nights of the year thanks to a gas or propane heater that keeps you warm.
Here's how patio heaters work.
The Heaters Are Meant For Open Spaces
You should use these heaters outdoors only, and far from anything that could catch fire. You don't want them in an enclosed space such as a tent. By using a heater in an open space, you won't have to worry about fire or carbon monoxide. Plus, the heater can keep you warm even on an open patio.
Patio heaters are made for outdoor use, so they're tough. However, if you buy a portable heater, you may want to put it under cover when you're not using it so snow, rain, and UV exposure don't accelerate the aging process of the heater.
You Might Need More Than One Heater
If you're not sure if you need more than one heater or what size heater you need, measure the dimensions of your patio and talk to a sales representative about the best choice. The size of the heater you need as measured in BTUs is determined by the size of your patio.
When you're shopping for a patio heater, be sure to read the label. The heaters come with various BTU ratings and the label also specifies how many square feet they should heat. You don't want an extra-large heater if you don't need it as that would use more gas and be an unnecessary expense.
There Are Different Styles Of Heaters
A patio heater can run on natural gas and be installed on the wall or hung from the ceiling. This is a good option if you want the heaters permanently fixed and you already have natural gas at your home. A plumber can hook up the heater to an existing gas line or you can have a new line installed. Heaters installed on the wall or ceiling also require an electrical connection to operate.
Some heaters can run on propane. These are a good choice if you want a portable heater you can move around, take camping, or store for the winter. These are usually built on stands with a compartment that houses the small propane tank so the tank is hidden.
Share