| Patio heaters are heaters for use in open | | | | |
| spaces. They are popular for domestic use and | | | | The heaters are provided with a heavy |
| outside dining areas particularly in open | | | | aluminum reflector at the top to direct the |
| cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating. | | | | heat downwards and outwards from the heater. |
| | | | These aluminum reflector type models are |
| They usually heat a radius of 10-20 feet. | | | | termed as mushroom patio heaters or umbrella |
| However the radius varies according to the | | | | patio heaters. The pole is usually 3 to 7 |
| model and ambient atmosphere. The heaters | | | | feet tall. Ceiling patio heaters are also |
| usually raise the temperature from 10-30 | | | | available in the market. These are installed |
| degrees Fahrenheit. | | | | permanently and need less maintenance than |
| | | | the portable one. |
| Patio heaters are not designed for chilly | | | | |
| winters as that would require a heavy duty | | | | Heaters radiate anywhere up to 35,000 BTU |
| heater with enormous energy consumption. They | | | | (British Thermal Units). The emitter reaches |
| are used for relatively little increase in | | | | a temperature up to 1150 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| ambient temperature and particularly used in | | | | This causes bluing of the stainless steel. |
| the evenings of late fall and early spring. | | | | Also a brownish color develops on the emitter |
| | | | which appears like rust. However there is no |
| Patio heaters run on a variety of fuel like | | | | cause for alarm as this brownish tint is |
| natural gas, propane, butane, kerosene etc. | | | | normal and is not rusting of the unit. |
| Some electric models are also available. The | | | | |
| natural gas models are popular because they | | | | The cost of patio heaters varies as per the |
| use the same fuel system as an outside grill. | | | | model. A reasonable quality patio heater may |
| Portable heaters have a portable cylinder | | | | cost between $100 to $300. Look for safety |
| attached to the heating unit. | | | | features like tilt switches, sealed burners, |
| | | | emergency cut off valves, flame controllers |
| The principle used in most heaters is to heat | | | | and electronic ignition systems etc when |
| using radiated heat and not convection. As a | | | | purchasing. |
| lot of energy gets used up in heating air for | | | | |
| convection heating and very less percentage | | | | These items are available in shops where |
| of heat is left for the user convection | | | | natural gas or butane is available. Some |
| heating is not feasible. Radiative heating | | | | specialty shops for home decorating also keep |
| patio heaters are more economical as they | | | | patio heaters. Do not treat them as toys. It |
| provide heat to the user and air is not | | | | is prudent not to let children operate them. |
| heated. | | | | |