Patio Heating For Your Home

As a homeowner, maximizing the potential of your outdoor living spaces is key to getting the most out of your investment. Spring and summer are prime times to enjoy your patio, whether you're reading, unwinding, dining, grilling, sipping coffee, or simply soaking in the tranquility of nature. Outdoor living offers health benefits and is often a budget-friendly way to enhance your lifestyle.

However, there are times when the weather might be a little too chilly, even during pleasant days. Early mornings and late evenings can feel uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean you have to restrict your patio time to just the middle of the day. With the right patio heating solutions, you can enjoy your outdoor space year-round. One of the best options is an infrared patio heater.

Understanding Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters are user-friendly and cost-effective. They operate on various fuel types, including electricity, natural gas, or liquid propane. Our AEI infrared patio heaters produce infrared rays that efficiently warm people and objects by heating infrared emitter grids or rods, which then radiate warmth.

As noted earlier, all our infrared heaters run on propane, natural gas, or electricity. These fuel types are exceptionally clean and economical compared to traditional heaters. Unlike wood-burning stoves, infrared heaters don’t emit smoke, soot, or harmful chemicals. Imagine the mess and hassle of cleaning up after using a wood stove—switching to an infrared heater simplifies everything significantly.

Since these heaters work with multiple energy sources, you have flexibility in how you install them. You can mount patio heaters on poles embedded in the ground or suspend them from ceilings. Suspended heaters are popular because they free up space and make it easier to arrange furniture or accommodate foot traffic.

Heaters come in rectangular or box shapes, as well as circular designs. The shape you choose depends on how you want the heat distributed. A box-shaped heater provides focused heat in a specific area, making it ideal for concentrated warmth. If you prefer evenly distributed heat over a larger area, mushroom-shaped heaters are a great option.

Fuel Options for Your Heater

The primary distinction between heaters lies in their fuel sources: electric and natural gas heaters connect to an external supply, while propane heaters use portable tanks. Propane heaters offer the advantage of mobility, allowing you to move them around as needed. This could be useful if you want to heat different sections of your patio or store the heater when not in use for extended periods.

Another benefit of a heater with its own fuel tank is easier storage and reduced maintenance, provided it's kept safe from the elements. Electric and natural gas heaters, on the other hand, are permanently installed. While this limits flexibility, it ensures convenience since you won't need to replace fuel tanks. If you opt for a natural gas heater, you’ll need a gas line running to your property. Many areas already have this infrastructure in place, but if not, your local utility provider can install one for you.

Electric heaters sometimes feature advanced control systems, offering precise control over multiple heaters simultaneously.

Box-Shaped vs. Mushroom Heaters

When choosing a new infrared heater, deciding between box-shaped and mushroom-shaped models is crucial. Both types are efficient, durable, and low-maintenance. Below, we'll explore the advantages of each and other important factors to consider.

Shared Features

Both box-shaped and mushroom-shaped heaters run on electricity, propane, or natural gas. Box heaters typically use electricity or natural gas, whereas mushroom heaters often rely on propane or natural gas. Both can be wall-mounted, pole-mounted, or suspended from ceilings or beams.

Differences Between the Two

Box-shaped and mushroom-shaped heaters differ primarily in how they direct heat. Mushroom heaters generate infrared heat in a full 360-degree circle around the unit. Box-shaped heaters focus heat in the direction they face, creating a wider but more targeted area of warmth.

Of course, the focused heat of a box-shaped heater will be stronger in the area it’s aimed at, but the heated zone will be smaller. A mushroom heater distributes heat evenly across its surroundings, though the intensity at any single point is lower than what you’d experience under a box heater. Before purchasing, assess the space you plan to heat and determine which heat distribution pattern suits your needs best.

Mushroom heaters are commonly found in communal areas like coffee shop patios or large decks where groups gather. If you host small gatherings or wish to move freely around your patio while enjoying consistent warmth, a mushroom heater might be ideal.

Consideration should also be given to how enclosed your heated space is. Well-insulated areas can be adequately warmed by a box-shaped heater over time. In open spaces, you might either confine activities to the heater’s focal area or consider installing a mushroom heater.

Lastly, if you desire the 360-degree coverage of a mushroom heater along with portability, look into propane patio heaters equipped with a wheel kit. These units allow easy repositioning and add considerable versatility to your setup.