A Buyer’s Comparison of the Different Types of Patio Heaters By Tonya Kerniva At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

From early spring on into late autumn, patio heaters provide a good-looking and functional heat source that allows people to congregate and enjoy themselves outdoors even when the weather turns chilly. First seen commercially at restaurants, patio heaters have more recently crossed into the realm of residential use and are a popular choice for barbecues, camping and tailgating.

Patio heaters come in countless shapes, sizes and types, made using everything from clay and stone for fire pits to stainless steel and copper on electric and gas heaters. Popular propane heaters, for example, usually come with the traditional umbrella design, where heat is produced using the propane tank in the base of the heater, which emanates up and outward at the top. These models are aesthetically pleasing and also fit into smaller areas because they are tall and thin.

Heaters use different fuel sources: natural gas, propane, electric and wood. Each of these heats an area equally well, determinant more upon the heater’s overall size. When comparing heaters before making a purchase, the fuel source is possibly the most important aspect to consider. Each kind has its disadvantages and advantages. Let’s look at some of those and see which heater works best for you.

Wood

Pros:
-Cheapest source of fuel
-Can be combined with a grill for an all-in-one heating and cooking source
-Wood is a renewable resource and synthetically pressed-wood logs are quick-lighting
-Most similar to the traditional fun of campfires
Cons:
-Some legislative districts have laws against burning wood outdoors
-Unless a windbreak is used, smoke will tend to blow uncontrollably
-Wood patio heaters give off the most pollution, through the air via combustion
-The smoke produced is bad for people with respiratory ailments
-Requires the most time and energy to heat
-Cannot be used on wooden decks, only stone patios
-Safety concerns of open flames

Propane (LP) Gas

Pros:
-Most popular type of patio heaters
-Tanks and cylinders are refillable
-Standing models give off the largest radius of heat
-Easy to assemble
-Portable
-Most models are relatively inexpensive
-Often come with emergency shut-off valves and/or low oxygen sensors
-Some have an adjustable height option
Cons:
-Heat flow can be interrupted by wind
-Some models receive complaints of faulty igniters
-Refilling of tanks can be inconvenient and unwieldy
-Finite amount of heat time in between each tank refill

Natural Gas

Pros:
-Less expensive than propane gas
-Won’t run out of fuel, no changing of tanks
Cons:
-Almost all must be hooked up to a standing line, so they are not portable unless multiple convenience outlets are installed
-Must be professionally installed
-Some models may come with faulty igniters

Electric

Pros:
-Fastest to heat up
-Proven nearly 100% effective
-Most focused heat given off
-Require less overhead clearance than gas versions (ideal for roofed patios)
-Lightweight
-Heat flow uninterrupted by wind
Cons:
-Must be corded or hard-wired, most are wall or ceiling-mounted
-Often times casts an unappealing orange glow on its surroundings
-Does not give off the strongest heat of all the fuel sources

There is no definite answer when choosing amongst patio heaters. All are shown to excel in some regards and perform poorly in other aspects. Then there is further variation between the different models that use the same fuel source. Comparative shopping, as for anything else, is the best solution to finding what works best for your patio and for your budget.

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