How to choose the right patio heater

In this article, I will only cover a small amount of the vast information available for a patio heater. One of the first things to consider is the area you want to keep warm on those fall afternoons. If you’re in a condo or apartment with only a small patio to provide warmth, perhaps a tabletop heater is the right ticket. If your patio covers several hundred square feet, you may need to have more than one larger heat source. Or maybe, it’s just you and you like to read a book before bed and you just need warmth right where you sit in that all-weather wicker rocking chair, then think about a directional patio heater. So the first choice you need to make is how big an area you need to heat.

The second decision, in my opinion, is whether you want to have the patio heater in one place and then not worry about it for years or have the versatility to move it to where the heat is needed for a particular occasion. There are basically 3 types of patio heaters to consider. One uses propane, which means that from time to time you will need to fill the tank. The only thing to watch out for with a propane powered patio heater is when the party is just starting to heat up and you run out of propane in the tank. Too bad, now you have to bring the party inside (there may not be enough space), put on jackets (maybe some didn’t bring any) or the party is over because some are cold and start going home. I’m not trying to dissuade you from a propane patio heater, I just want you to be aware of all the possibilities if you make this decision.

Another type of patio heater uses natural gas. This is ideal because it will probably be the cheapest to operate and you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel, unless there is a big earthquake near you and the gas lines burst. Of course, if that’s the case, running your patio heater isn’t the main concern, or at least I hope it isn’t. But then, if you opt for a patio heater that runs on natural gas, you lose the flexibility of placing the heater in different places depending on a particular function.

Then we come to an electric patio heater. And within this type, you also have several different options to do. There are electric patio heaters that can be plugged directly into an outlet (but not many, unless that outlet is dedicated just for this). When it becomes apparent that the style and power required is more than you can plug into, you need to consider the cost of having an electrician install the wiring for just the patio heater. And with this type, it can also be tied down where it can be placed to provide the warmth you’re looking for. Some are ceiling (or beam) mounted and their base allows some movement to direct heat to a specific location.

Finally, comes the best (or worst) part of this decision. Style and quality. You only get what you pay for, I don’t care what the seller says. Styles abound and they can even be a focal point for your patio, but you’ll pay a bit more for that. Quality for me is king. Why buy something that I will have to replace soon and then have to pay even more? I’d rather put off buying one for a while to have the money to get the right one, then pay from time to time and possibly not even have enough power to provide the heat I’m looking for anyway.

In closing, do your research thoroughly, and then enjoy that book well into the night while staying warm and cozy on your patio.