The best patio heater, popular throughout the American Sun Belt and other locations with relatively mild temperatures, may take the sting out of chilly weather and keep the party going past the point where you might otherwise retreat indoors.
When settling on a patio heater, there are numerous factors to consider, not the least of which is its environmental impact. Here's a closer look at what the outdoor heater truly means for the environment and our recommendations for the finest energy-efficient outdoor patio heater.
How to Select the Best Patio Heater for Your Needs?
Outdoor heaters are an investment, so you'll want to ensure you get the correct one; here are some factors to consider when selecting a patio heater.
Best Patio Heater Energy Efficiency: Propane or Electric?
Propane is a common fuel for outdoor heaters. Propane, a natural byproduct of petroleum refining and natural gas production, has a higher heat content than natural gas, which means you need to burn less to get the same heat. So, while propane is considered a "cleaner" fuel than gas or coal, it is frequently obtained through destructive environmental activities like fracking and underwater oil drilling.
A propane heater creates more heat than an electric patio heater since your home's circuit system does not limit them. On the other hand, they have fewer safety features because they do not cut off if the circuit becomes overloaded.
Most often, the propane portable patio heater work with 15- to 20-pound propane tanks, while portable units can be as tiny as 1-pound. The amount of fuel you will use is determined by the heat setting and the surrounding air temperature but plan to burn more as the temperature drops.
Your home's electrical grid powers electric patio heaters. It eliminates the need to replenish an empty propane tank, but it also allows you to tap into renewable energy if that is what powers your home.
As a result, electric heaters are less expensive and safer than propane heaters. What you give up for that convenience is heat because they don't get as hot or heat as much of an area. Most electric heaters have a maximum heat output of roughly 5,100 Btus.
Is electric heating more environmentally friendly than propane? There is no clear answer to this question. A propane heater heats up significantly faster than electric heat when used for outdoor heaters, requiring less energy to achieve the desired temperatures.
On the other hand, electric heaters can be powered by renewable energy sources such as wind or solar. However, if you rely on nonrenewable energy sources for your home's electricity, an electric heater will still leave a considerable carbon imprint.
What’s the space like?
It's critical to match the size of your patio heater to the area it'll be heating. A powerful heater isn't necessary for a little porch, but a larger patio may benefit from a larger unit or two or three. Measure the area you're dealing with to determine how far the heat needs to travel.
What is the highest Btu value?
The formal measurement for outdoor heating appliances in British Thermal Units. The greater the number, the greater the amount of heat produced, but the greater the fuel required. One method for calculating the Btu required is to multiply the cubic footage of your space by the desired temperature rise.
What kind of heater are you looking for?
Best patio heaters are available in a variety of styles. Portable patio heaters are available in various types, including this feature a base, a heat reflector, and a fuel supply.
They are the most common choice for large outdoor areas. Mounted heaters provide discreet warmth and are designed for permanent installation in your outdoor space. Small and usually electric, tabletop heaters provide warmth for a small gathering and frequently include interesting design aspects.
What safety features are there?
When it comes to outdoor heaters, safety should be a key priority for people who have children (or even crazy dogs). Look for versions with automatic shutdown valves, cool touch glass, and tip-over protection.
Outdoor Heaters' Environmental Impact
Let's not kid ourselves—heating outside air with the same fossil fuels that are causing global warming in the first place is a bizarre concept. Outdoor patio heaters are notoriously inefficient and quickly become a contention source. Many nations have outright prohibited their usage in outdoor restaurants.
While avoiding the heater entirely is not the most environmentally friendly option, using these heaters wisely has ways. Choosing the smallest size that will fit your space, avoiding using it while you aren't immediately next to it, and layering up with extra clothing and blankets will help you stay warm without consuming fossil fuels.
How Can You Improve the Efficiency of an Outside Heater?
Choosing the best patio heater is only one part of the battle to stay warm throughout the winter months. Even the best alternatives on our list may only make a minor effect if you don't take further precautions to keep your environment comfortable.
The most important step you can take for outdoor warmth is to block the wind. Keep an eye on the wind direction as it passes through your property so that you can set up windbreaks wherever possible. Even a tarp stretched between two trees may significantly reduce wind chill, and you can glam it up with solar-powered strung lights.
Because heat rises, try building a protective roof around your space to keep the warmth close to you. Awnings, gazebos, and even open umbrellas can all help. Please keep in mind that this will not work for infrared heat.
Finally, the advice for staying warm in the cold applies here as well—wear extra layers! Adding a few comfy blankets (ideally down comforters) to your outdoor space will also make a big difference in keeping everyone warm.
Best patio heaters can be a feasible method to spend more time outside this winter if you consider them as additional heat after taking other warm efforts and committing to utilizing them environmentally friendly.
How Does It Operate?
When you turn on a patio heater, it immediately starts operating. A valve regulator opens when the mechanism of a dome-shaped propane patio heater is turned on. As a result, gas flows through the pole of the patio heater to the burners affixed at the top. These burners are then utilised to heat the radiant element, which is located above the dome-shaped rim. As a result, the temperature of the entire patio heater rises, and heat is emitted in all locations.
Do You Feel the Heat?
The released infrared radiation immediately begins to heat the surrounding items. These waves are absorbed by the human body and cause you to feel warmer when in close touch with them. With one or more patio heaters, keeping a patio area fairly warm is possible. Wall-mounted patio heaters function similarly to dome-shaped, except they merely radiate heat directly in front of the instrument panel. A patio heater that uses radiant heat rather than convection transfer is great for seeking an energy-efficient outdoor heating source.
Radiant Heat and Patio Heater
Most patio heaters operate using a technique known as radiation. Heat transmission by radiation is a mechanism used by many different appliances to create and emit heat. When a substance is heated to a certain degree, it emits heat via electromagnetic waves in the infrared region. Although these waves are not visible to the naked eye, they generate heat and can be felt. Many patio heaters use a radiant heating process, but not all of them.
How can you tell if a patio heater is good or bad?
"The essential element is the build quality — you want it to last," Levy adds. "The lamp and reflector must be of high quality. Unfortunately, most retailers will not be able to switch it on for you to test it, but if you see a bright parasol heater, such as white light, it is likely to be poorly constructed and will not survive long.
Patio heaters can also be blown over, so choose something sturdy. Also, the IP rating, which stands for Ingress Protection, should be considered. It is represented by two digits, such as IP34 or IP65. The first digit denotes dust proofing and the second waterproofing.
We've looked at all the best-selling, best-reviewed, and best-value patio heaters on the market to provide you with this guide to enjoying your patio through spring, summer, and into the darker nights of autumn, keeping all of the suggestions in mind.
Conclusions
The best patio heater is a gadget that emits heat in a small patio area. There are several basic design possibilities to pick a domed shape or one that is fastened directly to a wall. All patio heaters are powered by electrical heating or a propane combustion process (natural gas patio heater heating).
When it comes to the best patio heaters, domed-shaped models are the most widely used. It consists of a dome-shaped metal top linked to a long pole. Propane patio heaters are the most common, but different varieties are available. Many patio heaters include safety measures such as an automated shut-off. We hope this article will help you know about what is the best patio heater.
