It’s not summer just yet; however, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy long nights outside on the patio or in the garden. A patio heater is a great idea for this time of year, and if you don’t agree with us – here are five reasons that may change your mind.
Comfort
Spring and summer are some of the best times to watch the sky and stars at night. The time you can spend outdoors is, however, limited, especially with temperatures dropping drastically after the sun has gone down. We have all been there. You are outside in the company of family and friends (in the evening) enjoying a heartful dinner, when temperatures start dropping, making the fun to come to a standstill. As much as you’d want to stay a little longer, the biting cold makes it unbearable, hence have to dash indoors where there’s some warmth.
With the weather unpredictable here in Britain, temperatures can fluctuate drastically even in the middle of summer. The only way you’d be able to stay outside longer is if you had a form of outdoor heating in place. As long as there’s enough heat to keep everyone warm, you could then spend the next minutes or even hours outdoors and never have to worry about getting cold. Outdoor heating in the garden also makes it easier to enjoy the fresh air deep into the night throughout autumn, spring, and summer.
A gas heater would be ideal for your patio, and many good reasons. Read our patio heating guide. The heater’s flame provides radiant heat hence help keep everyone warm and comfortable while outdoors. In addition to this, the fire gives an almost similar effect and feel like a campfire. Gas heaters also help save lots of space, hence preferred for many applications, including restaurants, bars, and pubs. Having a gas patio heater installed will make it possible to enjoy every moment you have with your family outdoors in the evening.
DIY Assembly
Many of the gas patio heaters on the market today can be assembled/installed in a DIY. The heater comes with a comprehensive guideline and all the composite parts required for it to work. That said, you can have the gas patio heater set up and ready for action within an hour of its delivery. You also do not require the services of a professional installer, unless you don’t have the time to do it yourself. This is unlike electric patio heaters, which have to be installed by a qualified and certified electrician.
Gas heaters, however, need fuel to produce heat. Unlike an electric heater where all you’d need is to have it plugged in, a gas heater will typically use up a 13kg gas cylinder in just 10 hours. This, however, doesn’t mean you’ll use the canister for one day. You also need to make sure the heater is cold to the touch before replacing the cylinder, to avoid burning your fingers.
Some gas heaters aren’t however, designed to be assembled in a DIY. Some of these include gas heaters that use a regulator and gas hose to work; hence they can be connected to your home’s gas supply. These are also very affordable and much cheaper than the ones mentioned above. Only a certified professional is allowed to install these gas heaters.
Portability
Gas heaters are considerably more portable than electric ones. This is because an electric heater can only be used where there’s an outlet, hence has limited mobility. Gas patio heaters, on the other hand, come with gas cylinders, which make it possible to move them around wherever you are.
The portability aspect, however, depends on the size of the heater. Table-top gas patio heaters are relatively easy to move around. All one needs to do is to disconnect the heater from its canister, then carry the individual parts to whatever location you wish to use them. Larger free-standing heaters are, however, heavier but still movable. This is because they come with the cylinder already fitted in, and have wheels, which make moving it relatively easy. While these patio gas heaters are portable, you should, at no point, attempt to move it while in use.
When compared to portable electric heaters, a gas patio heater is more practical and safer to use outdoors. One of the reasons is that the gas heater comes as a package, hence it doesn’t have to be connected to an outlet in the wall to work. Electric heaters are, however, only safe if these no rain or water on the floor. You’d be forced to disconnect and move it inside if it suddenly started to rain. With an outdoor gas heater, all you have to do is cover it up with an insulative material to keep it protected from the cold weather in winter.
Gas heaters produce heat through combustion. This thus means they can only be used in open locations and places with proper ventilation. You do not want to use a gas patio heater in an enclosed area, as this could cause carbon monoxide buildup.
Style
Gas patio heaters are designed to be aesthetically appealing, hence an attractive addition to your garden or patio. They also produce a natural flame, which is not only mesmerizing but also refreshing to watch in the dark. Having a gas patio heater installed, therefore, spells not only class but also practicality. This is unlike infrared patio heaters that only produce an artificial glare. Gas patio heaters also come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors to suit your design scheme and theme.
Price
Gas patio heaters are considerably more affordable than electric heaters. Gas is also relatively cheaper too, which also means more savings in the long run. The only disadvantage of gas patio heaters is that they are not as efficient as electric heaters when used regularly. They are, however, an excellent option if looking to use them occasionally.
