It’s always nice to spend a bit of time in the garden in summertime. Whether you’re hosting a fun family BBQ or you’re simply relaxing in the great outdoors, we all have those days when we wish the sun would stay out just a little bit longer. A patio heater is a great way to make those special moments last a little bit longer, even after the sun goes down. If you’re sick of cutting nights short when the weather turns a bit chilly, these outdoor heaters will probably be really important to you! This guide will help you pick the right patio heater, meaning you can make the most out of your garden for as long as you like!
Power
Outdoor heaters are a little different to their indoor counterparts. Indoor heaters warm up the air in a room and circulate that air around – obviously, this won’t work when you’re outdoors! That’s why patio heaters use infrared (or radiant) heat instead. They send out rays of heat which warm up anything they touch. This means you need them to be as powerful as you can afford – more powerful heaters will be able to send out these heat rays across a much wider area.
Generally, you shouldn’t look at any outdoor heaters that are below 2kW. Anything lower will likely not be practical for use in all but the tiniest outdoor areas as you’ll need to sit right by the heater to feel anything. A 3kW patio heater is more than enough for most patios as it can keep you warm even if you’re sat a good distance away.
Heat Settings
The problem with choosing a really powerful patio heater is that they can be a little overpowering sometimes, especially if the weather isn’t that cold. That’s why it’s a good idea to choose one with several different heat settings so you can turn it down if need be. Our remote control patio heaters all come with three different power settings so you can heat up or cool down at the push of a button.
Wall-Mountable
The problem with infrared heat is that the heat rays need to actually hit you to warm you up. If you tuck your heater in a cluttered corner of your patio, you won’t feel any warmth at all as the heat rays will likely be blocked off before they can reach you! This means wall-mounted patio heaters tend to be the most effective as they aren’t affected by this. You can install them above you and let them spread their warming rays to every corner of your patio without being obstructed.
Design
If you’ve worked hard on your perfect garden, the last thing you want is to settle for an ugly patio heater that sticks out like a sore thumb! You want a model that’s sleek and subtle, and which takes up as little wall space as possible. Go for something with a timeless finish that’ll look great in all seasons even as your garden changes around it.
Toughness
If you’re going to install your heater on a wall, you should make sure that it’s tough enough to survive a few whacks now and then. Even if you mount it high on the wall, it’ll still have to fend off birds perching on it and, if you have kids, a mishit football or two! Go for a sturdy steel model that’s built to last, and make sure the bulbs inside are well-protected.
Dust and Waterproof
As with any outdoor electrical appliance, you’ll need to make sure your patio heater is protected against dust and water before you buy it. Make sure you check a unit’s IP rating – the measurement that says how well-sealed something is against dust and water – before you buy it. You want a rating of at least IP65 to make sure your heater is sealed against rainwater and against any dust which might end up blowing onto the unit.
