How to Buy Outdoor Heaters

If you have a great outdoors patio area but live where the temperature is going to be jacket weather, you might want to purchase an outdoor heater. An outdoor heater provides heat for your comfort and is weather resistant so it can stand outside in the rain and snow. There are many outdoors heaters to choose from, and different makes and models have varying features.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide how you want to heat the outdoor area. Typically, outdoor heaters come in either electric, gas or propane models. If you do not have a gas or propane hookup on the outside of your home, you probably should not purchase a gas or propane heater and go with electric.

2. Compare the sizes of heaters. Some can be placed on a table and cover only a small area, while others are the size of a lamp post and provide a wider range of heat. Both have pros and cons. The smaller tabletop version is cheaper and is perfect for small spaces, and the larger heater is best for larger outdoors areas.

3. Determine if you want directional heat. Some heaters only emit heat in one direction, and other heaters circulate and radiate heat in a 360-degree radius. The 360-degree heater is best for placing in the middle of an area where a people will gather, but it might not be ideal if it is placed in a corner.

4. Look at the price tag. This can be the underlying factor that determines what kind of outdoor heater you use. Smaller tabletop heaters cost less than $50, and larger circular heaters can cost more than $200.

5. Go to your local home-improvement store. Even though Wal-Mart, Target and other stores carry outdoor heaters, a home-improvement store is going to have more makes and models that meet your requirements.

References

• Outdoor Heater Information
• Additional Heating Information