Outdoor Propane Patio Heaters: Discover the Safety Features and Styles Available
Labor Day has traditionally marked the end of summer and summer fun like family gatherings out on the patio. Many families begin packing up the patio in preparation for winter as the weather turns cooler. But there’s no need to stop using your patio just because the summer’s over. Outdoor propane patio heaters will keep your patio warm and comfortable so you can keep having fun even as the leaves begin to fall.
Propane heaters come in three basic styles including:
Post and Cap Heaters: This heater style is a freestanding heater which is easily relocated. It is often used by restaurant owners on their outdoor patios. Post and cap heaters connect to a propane tank and generate heat from burner grids located under the cap. These heaters can produce heat for an area of about fifteen feet. The amount of heat that will be generated by a particular heater is measured by the number of a unit’s BTUs. Heaters with higher BTUs produce more heat than those with lower BTUs. This heater style is affordable for many homeowners.
Portable Heaters: Portable heaters have wheels attached to the unit’s bottom to make them easy to move around the backyard or patio as needed. Portable outdoor heaters come in various sizes. Most patio spaces can use the smaller size units of around 2,000 BTUs.
Table Top Heaters: These are units designed to sit on a table. Table top heaters are a convenient and very compact means of heating specific areas of your patio. The propane tank is usually small and located in the base of the unit itself. These units do not have the heating capacity or output of the other designs; however, it will generally do an excellent job of warming the area around your table. Table top outdoor patio heaters are usually the least expensive propane heaters available for outdoor use.
Regardless of the heater style you select, make sure it will provide adequate heat for your space and time requirements. Remember, the heating capacity will be indicated by the number of BTUs a unit has. The higher the number of BTUs a unit has, the more space it can heat effectively. Of course, bigger is not necessarily better. The idea with outdoor heaters is to keep your patio warm; you don’t need a heater that is powerful enough to heat your whole block in the process!
Another thing to consider when selecting your heater is the propane tank’s size. Think about how much time you would like to spend on your patio. Small tanks will only last for short time periods. Bigger heaters can hold larger propane tanks. Accordingly, if your plan is to be outside for short periods of time, a smaller propane tank will be adequate for your needs, such as the tanks used in a table top unit. But, if your plans involve substantial time outdoors or the occasional all night party, you will need a much larger tank to keep the chilly air at bay until your party ends.
Once you’ve selected the heating style that suits you best, there are a few safety features to be aware of. The most important features help make sure that your heater won’t be a fire risk. These features include an automatic shut off switch which will turn your heater off in the event you leave it on by accident. Other features are spark ignition and heat control settings which will keep your unit from generating too much heat and are definitely worth looking into
Lastly, propane patio heaters must be well ventilated at all times. Make sure your heater is not located near anything combustible or flammable. Kids and pets should not be allowed near the heating units. You will also need to clean your heater regularly to keep dust, cobwebs or other debris from interfering with its operation. And unless your heater specifically says it can be used indoors, never under any circumstances use your outdoor heater to warm an indoor space. Using your heaters indoors can cause a build up of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a fatal gas that is both colorless and odorless.
Getting the right heater for your patio can mean a whole new world of entertainment options. Chilly autumn nights no longer mean the end of your outdoor fun, now you and your friends can stay nice and warm with your new patio heater.
Outdoor living spaces, like patios are great places for entertaining family and friends, and with a good heater for your patio there’s no need to abandon your outdoor space just because the summer has ended. The right patio heater can keep the fun going until you decide to stop. To get more information on selecting the right patio heater for your space, visit outdoor propane patio heaters today.
