Hospitality Businesses Thrive With Outdoor Patio Heating Systems In Place

Industry professionals in the hospitality sector have minimal leeway if they aim to install infrared heaters promptly to combat the cooling temperatures and keep clients frequenting their outdoor patios.

Even though the scorching summer of 2023 is now behind us, the upcoming fall season remains unpredictable. Restaurants, pubs, hotels, and private clubs should expect temperatures to drop by an average of 8 to 10 degrees just in October alone. Additionally, daylight hours will shorten by 2 to 3 minutes daily. The best strategy to avoid shutting down outdoor seating areas and fresh-air zones is to adopt top-tier patio heaters before guests decide to dine elsewhere. By offering the warmth and comfort necessary to stay outdoors this fall, your business will enjoy increased patronage and customer satisfaction.

The Financial Edge of Infrared Patio Heaters

Picture a group of friends deciding to stay at a restaurant's outdoor space after a satisfying meal to savor a nightcap. Naturally, the rest of the group would likely join in, sparking lively conversations. One drink leads to another, and soon someone suggests dessert and an espresso. It's incredible how a simple dinner bill can grow significantly when groups of four or more are enjoying themselves in the cool evening air. However, introduce a strong autumn breeze, and those same guests might quickly opt for a taxi home.

In one scenario, people linger longer and spend more money while enjoying each other’s company. In contrast, in the second scenario, food service bills are limited to an appetizer and an entrée as patrons leave early. Research shows that outdoor dining and mingling on patios can result in hospitality businesses earning up to 30 percent more revenue. This is the reality of the financial benefits of outdoor patio heaters.

Investing in Infrared Heaters Proves Profitable

It’s understandable for decision-makers to hesitate when it comes to making significant capital investments like installing an infrared heating system when revenue seems tight. Persistent inflation has already led many hospitality operations to raise prices, and there’s a natural concern about how this might affect customers. No one wants to shock customers with higher prices, and the idea of taking on another unavoidable expense seems counterproductive.

However, this logic might be overly cautious when considering something like a bathroom renovation or repainting a space. Patio heaters are directly tied to profits rather than just expenses. With a potential 30 percent increase in revenue extending deep into the fall and early winter, the absence of regulars could lead to bleak numbers.

It’s also worth noting that investing in patio heaters now allows you to open your outdoor spaces more than a month earlier than usual come spring. The advantages of extending the seasons far outweigh the largely tax-deductible infrastructure investment.

Enhancing Customer Comfort

Hospitality businesses that delay investing in the seasonal expansion of outdoor areas seem to be falling further behind. Recent reports show the global outdoor heater market reached $1.22 billion in 2022. By year-end, it’s expected to surpass $1.27 billion and reach $1.88 billion by the end of the decade. North American businesses dominate the commercial infrared heating systems market. Industry-leading AEI Corp natural gas, liquid propane, and electric heaters, such as the following, have become the go-to solution.

Infratech

One common obstacle for hospitality owners and managers considering patio heaters is the lack of an existing fuel line. The upfront cost of running a natural gas or liquid propane line to a specific area feels daunting. Infratech electric heaters resolve this issue since they can be powered by a dedicated line. A certified contractor can connect to the current system and set up a tie-in. Infratech outdoor heaters can also be controlled via a convenient wall panel.

Sunglo

The Sunglo line is perfect for sidewalk cafes, resort pool areas, breweries, wineries, and similar venues that benefit from extended hours and the fresh-air experience. Known for their iconic mushroom-style heads, Sunglo models distribute radiant heat in a circular throw radius. They can be fueled by housing a liquid propane tank in the base, making them portable when cool. Business owners who wish to connect to an existing natural gas supply can secure them in place and have a line installed.

SunPak

These powerful overhead infrared heaters come in three distinct models and two finishes—black and stainless steel. The SunPak S25 generates 25,000 BTUs of radiant heat. The S34 delivers 34,000 BTUs, and the S34 offers a two-stage option that produces between 25,000 and 34,000 BTUs based on demand. These overhead heaters provide warming comfort to people within a 100-square-foot radius. They can be strategically mounted on overhangs or walls to maximize the benefit to customers and guests.

It’s not uncommon for hospitality business owners to install multiple SunPak patio heaters to create a comprehensive system. Adding a control panel to manage these liquid propane or natural gas heaters helps reduce unnecessary energy use. Incorporating a shutoff timer ensures they don't run unnecessarily late at night.

Sunstar

This class of liquid propane and natural gas heaters is designed for environments facing extreme weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. As a marine-grade box heater, these durable products are built with 316 stainless steel and can be mounted at angles ranging from 15 to 60 degrees. The Sunstar natural gas or liquid propane heaters also feature a heat shield to protect the ceramic infrared burner system from flying debris and excessive saltwater moisture. Producing radiant warmth from 25,000 to 34,000 BTUs, they serve seaside resorts and other hospitality businesses exceptionally well.

Patio Comfort

The Patio Comfort mushroom heater remains the most popular choice for coffee shops, restaurants, nightclubs, resorts, and other venues that prioritize adaptability. Most Patio Comfort models function as liquid propane heaters with a tank stored in the base. These propane tanks can be easily refilled or swapped out at local retail outlets and gas stations. Business owners and operators typically keep a spare tank on hand to ensure continuous customer comfort during cool autumn nights and early winter afternoons.

The ability to move Patio Comfort heaters when they're cool provides business owners with the flexibility to redesign seating and mingling spaces. It also opens opportunities to accommodate large groups and host special events without worrying about fluctuating temperatures. The AEI Corp models also allow decision-makers to permanently fix them using sturdy posts as natural gas heaters.

Begin Your Outdoor Infrared Heating System Today

To say AEI Corp infrared heaters simplify the process would be an understatement. There are commercial-grade patio heaters available to suit the needs of virtually every business. Box heaters can be mounted overhead, horizontally or vertically on secure walls and posts. Mushroom head models continue to offer the flexibility needed to navigate intimate outdoor spaces and changing usage patterns.

Selecting outdoor heaters that align with existing fuel resources—propane, natural gas, or electricity—reduces installation costs and boosts profits driven by customer satisfaction. If you're thinking about increasing traffic, profits, and making your patrons feel welcomed this fall, the time is now to initiate the outdoor patio heater process.