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