Which Patio Heater Works Best For You? Natural Gas, Propane Or Electric?
If you’re a homeowner who happens to live in an area where it gets cold during the winter months, you still deserve to use your backyard, patio or pool area. You’ve upgraded your pool or misting system, or maybe you’ve invested thousands of dollars on landscaping and exterior design. You work hard to make your outdoor areas comfortable for entertaining your family, friends and neighbors. Your home is your castle. But what do you do when the fall sets in, and it’s just not practical to have dinner or a party outside? You think about installing patio heaters.
When you first start doing research, it’s a bit intimidating: indoor, outdoor, gas, propane, electric, and brands and web sites in the thousands! What’s a homeowner to do? The first step is to make a list of what’s going to work for you and your space. You’ll need to figure out how big the space is, what heating source you’re able to provide the heater, and know your approximate budget. Here’s how.
STICK TO YOUR BUDGET:
Try to pick a price range and stick to it. This way you don’t end up spending way too much money and it will force you to shop around and get some comparable pricing on similar heaters. Try to consider the reputation of the brand name as well as the company selling the heaters.
FIND YOUR HEATING SOURCE:
Heating sources include propane, natural gas, and electric. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the basics of each.
Natural Gas:
This fuel source is clean burning and puts out no unpleasant odors. It’s non-toxic and is safe to use around your family or friends. If you don’t have a natural gas source, you can get one from your local gas company. Call them for an estimate before you choose this option.
Propane:
Propane is a popular source of fuel for outdoor heating of all types including pool areas, patios, restaurants and hotels. Propane is a clean burning, convenient, easy to use source of fuel which can be refilled conveniently. Propane is readily available, portable and can be found at gas stations, convenience stores, home supply chains and grocery stores.
Electricity:
Electricity is absolutely safe for using outdoors or indoors. They’re also very economical and require very little maintenance beyond regular cleaning. Unlike gas heaters, electric heaters have no valves, ignition components, burners or moving parts to repair or maintain. Electric heaters produce no sound, odors or toxic emissions. Electric patio heaters are efficient and are easy to maintain and operate.
MEASURE THE AREA TO BE HEATED:
Different areas require different amounts of heating coverage. If you take the time to do a thorough measuring of the length and width of the area, you’ll then be able to see if one heater is enough or if two is required.
START SHOPPING:
Now that you’re informed, you can have some fun shopping! Try going to a search engine, and typing in the different types of patio heaters, and see what comes up. Also you can try going to the homepages of the larger home supply chains and searching their sites. See if you can find reviews or testimonials about the heater or the company. Try to find three prices on specific heater that interests you. Make sure that the heater matches your dcor, space requirements and heating output and you’ll be making the smartest choice.
Ryan Risk is a leader in the outdoor climate control industry since 1977. To learn more about making the right patio heater choice, stop by Ryan Risk’s site on how to choose the best outdoor patio heater for your needs.
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