How Much Are Patio Heaters

What To Know About Outdoor Patio Heaters

For many Americans, 2020 has been a year marked by more time spent outdoors. And while we all love to get out and enjoy the fresh air, the real reason is obvious: COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the virus is more easily spread indoors than outdoors. And if youre like many homeowners, youre looking for ways to stay comfortable outdoors as the temperature drops.

One solution: outdoor heaters. These handy appliances are finding their way onto restaurant patios and backyard decks everywhere . A sight once reserved for ski lodges, a patio heater can be a great way to get even more use out of your favorite outdoor spaces. Heres what you need to know before you buy a patio heater.

Do Patio Heaters Really Work

Whether you want to grill year-round or you cherish your daily cup of tea on the deck, a good patio heater can be the deciding factor between a Siberian climate and serene. But, youre skeptical. Do patio heaters really work? Were here to tell you that they do. How they work, however, depends on the different types and sizes available to you.

Photography by Alan Wu

Angle Your Heater Just Right

Firstly, angle it on the open side. These heaters can still function when kept under a patio. You must understand that they can only offer enough lighting and warmth when you direct them to the patios open side by angling them.

This method is advantageous to distribute heat to specific areas the covered areas tend to get limited or even no heat from the patio.

If you angle your heater, the areas towards which its turned will get enough heat since there wont be any obstacles blocking the way.

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How To Calculate The Size Of Patio Heater Needed

To calculate the size of the patio heater needed to heat your patio to keep you and your guests toasty warm in cooler evenings and temperatures, you can follow this proven guide:

Step 1:Measure the area of the patio that you want to be heated. Remember, you dont need to heat the entire patio, but only the areas where people are seated or where most people meet. Measure the length, width and estimate a height of say 6 or 8 ft. Multiply the length, width, and height of your area you wish to heat to calculate the cubic feet of that specific zone.Step 2:Estimate the average temperate range that youd like to increase that area by, for example, the air temperature drops from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and youd like the area heated to 70 degrees. Your temperate range increase will be 20 degrees Fahrenheit.Step 3:You will then need to calculate the BTU needed to heat that area to your temperature. To do that, take the cubic feet measurement in the first step, multiply it by 0.133 and multiply that by the temperature increase you estimated in step 2. The result will be the BTU needed for example 40,000.

Should You Buy Or Rent A Patio Heater

Because patio heaters are so popular for outdoor events, there are lots of rental options available. However, rental isnt necessarily the best optionit depends on what youre looking for.

For example, say youre planning a backyard reception for your sons wedding in November so you can enjoy the crisp air and fallen leaves. You plan on having guests outside from about five PM into the wee hours of the morning, so youll likely need a full days rental. Rentals range from around $75 to $125, and BTU output varies as well, so you may need to rent more than one.

On the other hand, patio heaters start at around $70 and sell for up to $400, depending on size, BTU output, and design. Prices between buying or renting patio heaters arent that different if you do some shopping around, and youll have more freedom to choose if you purchase rather than rent.

However, if you dont plan on using your patio heater more than once, renting may be a better option. Weigh the cost of the rental or new heater against factors like convenience, BTU output, design, and so on to figure out which option is best for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions :

1. How much heat do you actually need?

Ans: As we have seen that patio heaters or any heater in general measures their power in terms of British Thermal Units or BTUs, they also give you an idea of how much power/heat do you need in your room/patio.While higher the BTU value, higher is the heat, you dont necessarily need all that heat. Use the following formula to calculate how much heat your room and you would actually need.BTU Needed= Desired rise in temperature X cubic feet of area used

2. How much does it cost to operate a patio heater?

Ans: The cost of operating a patio heater is mostly dependent on the type of fuel the machine uses. While propane is most commonly used, it can be a tad bit expensive in nature. One of the most cheaply available is the natural gas and electric heaters fall in between both of these.For natural gas heaters of about 40,000 BTUs, these can heat up an area of about 314 square feet and can cost you about 48 cents for a single hour of usage.Coming to electric heaters, a 4,000 watt heater can heat the same 314 square foot patio/room at about 60 cents for an hour. Finally, a propane gas based heater for the same 40,000 BTU heat can cost you as high as $1.70 for a single hour of usage.Your residence area, the current inflation in the gas and electricity rates may also factor into the efficiency of your patio heater.

3. Are patio heaters worth it?4. How long will a patio heater run?5. Can outdoor heaters be left out in the rain?

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Patio Heater

Floor-standing propane patio heaters are the most common rental choice. According to CostHelper, rentals generally cost about $60 per day for a standard-size heater, which can heat a space of about 12 feet in diameter. Most rental agencies include a single tank of fuel, which lasts up to 10 hours. If youll need to use the heater longer, extra fuel may be purchased at a per-tank cost.

When determining the potential cost of renting patio heaters, consider the size of the space to be heated. Large spaces may require multiple heaters or a commercial kerosene unit, which can be rented in hourly increments and may be quite costly.

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The 9 Best Patio Heaters In 2021

• May 9, 2021

With house heating costs on the rise, being able to afford central room heating is not for everyone. A Patio Heater is a nifty device to keep you, your feet and your closed ones warm enough that you can sit down and have a great time. When not used on patio floors, you can take them into your small bedroom and use it over there as well.

Patio heaters are available in a variety of models and types. While you can find the propane gas-based patio heaters to be budget-friendly and also portable in nature, free-standing ones are more mobile in nature.

There are so many options of Patio Heaters are available that run With fuel – With battery-With electricity, that you cannot simply zero down on an option to call it the Best Patio Heater. You have to check for certain features and these form the key factors in deciding if it is a good pick or not. The following are the three important factors to consider.

• Power Source: The first thing that you need to consider is the power source that the heater is using. Propane gas-based models are very popular and also highly economic too but with the advent of technology, people prefer battery-based or electricity-based models more and more.

• Heat output capacity: 40,000 BTUs per hour is a great number and should be a choice for most of your picks but if you live in extremely cold areas, higher capacity are also great picks. Lower if you are living near to the equator or south.

How Much Should I Spend On An Outdoor Heater

This is a question that only you can answer. There are many different types of patio heaters, and they vary in price. The price depends on the brand, size, and features. If you are looking for an outdoor heater for your patio, be sure to check out online reviews to get more information about the product.

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What Is The Best Position For A Patio Heater

Whether you choose a gas patio heater or an electric one, one of the best ways to get the most from your heater is to have correct positioning.

Your patio heater should be used in an area that people frequent, so a seating area or over a table is the best place.

Although both heaters have a specific heat coverage, the further you are away from the heater, the lower the temperature.

If you have a specifically large area you might want to consider getting another heater, this should be placed within the heat range of your first heater at a point where the heat starts to drop off, allowing optimal heating cover.

Patio Heater Versus Fire Pit: Which Is Better

Technically speaking, a fire pit can be a kind of patio heater. However, many people want to weigh a typical fire pit against a patio heater when making a decision, as they serve different primary and aesthetic functions.

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Keep Your Heater Outdoors

However, if youre using an outdoor heater inside, the carbon monoxide has nowhere to go, and it will start to collect in your room, which will begin suffocating you.

Indoor heaters have pre-installed ventilation and automatic heat regulators for this specific reason, so theyre not at all the same device and shouldnt be treated as such.

Feeling Warmer On A Carbon Budget

Thermal comfort is about more than just the heat. We dont need to blast the fuel to make us feel warm. We could use an efficient infrared heater coupled with other tweaks to improve our satisfaction with the temperature in our surroundings overall.

To feel warmer you need to create the right ambience and reduce draughts that remove the warm layer of air immediately next to the skin. Lighting can help, as it turns out our perception of how cold we are is affected by daylight. Warming up those cold feet can also have an outsized impact on satisfaction, as we experience pleasure when a cold part of our body is warmed up, a process called spatial alliesthesia. Providing under-table heaters or even foot warmers on a cold day would provide that pleasurable cosy relief and make us feel less cold.

At any other time, if someone asked me how to keep warm outdoors my advice as an environmental scientist would be to wrap up with extra layers or simply stay indoors. But these are not normal times, and this winter people will want to spend time outdoors and socialise in fresh air. On a tight carbon budget, this will mean an infrared heater.

• Heating

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How Much Space Does A Patio Heater Heat

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Patio heaters must have clearance on all sides. It is recommended that there be three feet above the unit and two feet on each side of the unit.

Subsequently, question is, how hot do patio heaters get? Propane coverage

Hereof, how many square feet does a patio heater cover?

400-450 sq. ft. 450-550 sq. ft.

Can you have a patio heater under a covered patio?

Although they would like to extend comfort to these spaces, a heater for patio use is too often understood in open-air settings. Fortunately, advanced technology and state-of-the-art engineering have made radiant heating a safe and desirable way to enjoy the night air, even under a covered patio.

Thermo Tiki Patio Heater

The Thermo Tiki is an outdoor propane fuel based patio heater with the same design schema as the Hiland outdoor propane heater. This one too has a wide base and a tiki style design with a central grill of heating filament.

Top Features

• Has a very large height of 7 feet 6 inches long shaft that is crafted out of premium quality and high grade steel and aluminum alloy.
• The filament has a flame that dances about in a pyramid styled column and radiates heat and warmth in omni directions. Simple push to start ignition
• Made out of corrosion resistant powder finish that protects the outer body from any sudden rain or bright sun or other weather extremes.
• Can warm up an area up to a diameter of about 15 feet. The general heating starts at about 38,000 BTU and can be tuned up to a high of 42,000 BTU or 45,000 BTUs of peak output.
• Tilt proof, though the design of the patio heater has a wide bottom that has protection against being tilted, even if the device tends to tilt, the automatic shut off valve activates and shut down the device to prevent any hazards.
• Comes with a set of tiny wheels that can be used to move about the patio heater from one place to another.
• Has a 20 pound capacity of propane gas storage at the bottom to place the cylinder. This will give you a run time of about 8 to 10 hours thus great for entire nights. The device is ANSI, CE and CSA standard specified.

Warranty: 60 days of warranty from the date of purchase.

Pros

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How Much Clearance Do You Need Above A Patio Heater

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Also question is, can a patio heater be used under a roof?

While they are uniquely suited to extend comfort in non-covered spaces, they are just as welcome under roofs. As long as these highly portable products have enough vertical clearance to meet the manufacturer’s safety standards, mushroom heaters provide the agility to handle a variety of areas.

Also Know, how do I stop my patio heater from tipping over? Without a reservoir, the best way to keep your patio heater from tipping over is by securing the stem to a sturdy structure. If you have any pillars in youroutdoor space, you can attach a small ratchet strap around it and your heater. This should be enough to ensure that your patio heater remains vertical.

In respect to this, how much area does a patio heater cover?

Generally, portable patio heaters that produce between 35,000 and 50,000 BTU’s will need at least 30 inches of clearance to combustibles on all sides of the reflector and emitter screen, while smaller patio heaters that produce 10,000 to 35,000 BTU’s need at least 24 inches of clearance to combustibles on all sides of

How do you heat a covered patio?

3 Steps to Heating a Covered Patio

Mr Heater Double Tank Top Heater

The most compact option for a patio heater is one that sits right on top of your propane tank. This Mr. Heater Double Tank Top heater has two top tanks to spread some extra warmth. This option is a great portable heater to bring camping or to position by your outdoor couch.

With an average rating of 4.6 stars and over 1,100 reviews, reviewers like this product because it takes less than 10 minutes to assemble and can radiate heat on the coldest of days. The two cylinders can rotate so you can direct heat in different directions.

Get the Mr. Heater Double Tank Top Heater for $104.82

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Choosing The Right Kind Of Patio Heater

We aim to lay bare all the essential information you need to choose the right patio heater for your home or commercial environment. People are always surprised to find out how much there is to consider when buying their patio heaters, it’s extremely beneficial to understand which heater is right for you and if you’re unsure to seek further information and guidance. We always offer detailed advice for a variety of outdoors heating installations, whether it’s one heater to take the chill off your garden table and chairs or a full al fresco dining setting. Without further ado, let’s get to it.

How Much Do Patio Heaters Cost To Run

Gas patio heatersrunrunning costheater isgascanheatdo oftenheatcanBest Outdoor Patio Heaters

• Fire Sense 46,000 BTU Commercial Patio Heater.
• AZ Patio Heaters Patio Heater.
• Legacy Heating CAPH-7-S Patio Heater.
• AmazonBasics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater.
• PAMAPIC Commercial Patio Heater.
• Star Patio Parasol Electric Patio Heater.
• Lava Heat Italia AMAZON-131 Patio Heater.

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Patio Heaters: 5 Things You Should Know Before You Buy

What if the winter seasons didnt have to be all about chestnuts roasting by the fire and huddling under blankets indoors? What if you could enjoy the frost and family time on your patio?

Good news: thats what patio heaters are for! Youve likely seen these large pyramid or mushroom-shaped devices warming your favorite outdoor dining spot, but theyre also great for keeping your home outdoor spaces warm enough to enjoy throughout the year.

The complete guide to extending your time outside