About Patio Heaters

Patio heaters are outdoor heating devices meant to extend use of outdoor recreational and living space into the cooler months like early spring and late fall. They are also referred to as mushrooms or umbrellas due to the covered shape of the heating device, and may be powered by electricity or gas. They are used both by private residences and public facilities.

Function

The heating element of a patio heater works by radiating heat from the central chamber through a metal mesh containment cage. Depending on the model, heat may be generated by electric coils or flames fueled by gas. The heat escapes the chamber through the mesh and is spread downwards onto the space by a wide brimmed and convex cap, shaped like a small umbrella. They can alter the temperature in a radius of about fifteen to twenty feet, and can warm the air temperature up by 25 degrees maximum. Users may control the temperature through a turn-dial setting located on the support column.

Types

Patio heaters come in several sizes, but the traditional model is a tall and thin column that supports the heating device. This style is the most effective for heating a large area because the height of this model allows the heat to radiate out across a larger area. However, table top and hanging models are also available.

Features

Patio heaters are available in a variety of styles to fit into the decor of the space. Variations are generally available for the width of the support column, color of metal used, and size of the base. Some residential models are even designed to look like interior floor lamps. Tall residential heaters cost around $300 while patio heaters meant for commercial spaces cost between $500 and $1,000.

Effects

In the past twenty years, patio heaters have become essential appliances for bars and restaurants, as it allows them to keep their outdoor seating spaces open longer and also accommodate patrons who are now not allowed to smoke inside the building due to stricter smoking bans. The Cheesecake Factory restaurants in particular have embraced patio heaters in the design of their cooler climate locations. Luxury hotel chains, like Hilton, Biltmore and Ritz, have also incorporated patio heaters into the designs of their open-air spaces, most notably outdoor entrances and sidewalk awnings.

Warning

While patio heaters help people enjoy outdoor spaces longer during the year, they have also come under criticism by environmental groups in recent years who claim they produce large amounts of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide. In 2007, the United Kingdom based environmental group The Energy Trust published a study that suggested using a patio heater over the course of six months produced as much greenhouse pollution as driving across the country 200,000 times. As of early 2008, the European Union was considering a ban on the appliances.

Resources

• Environmental Group Gives Patio Heater Warning
• Patio Heater Store