Patio Heater (Electric, Propane and Natural Gas)!

Are you looking for patio heater to warm up your patio in the winter? There are a lot of crucial points to consider, and one of them is about the patio heating cost of operation. This point is so important to make sure you choose the right one that can work powerful and more efficient. Generally, there are three popular types of patio heating appliances; electric, propane and natural gas units! Which is the best one of them? Well, each type offer good value but also has some drawbacks to look for! For residential use, most of them usually come with 40,000 BTU for the size of heating capacity. How about the cost of operation of them? Which one that can work powerful without spending a lot of money on paying the energy bill for each month in the winter?

Electric patio heating units

As well we know, most of this type usually uses radiant heat elements to warm up the patio. With the radiant working principle, they will heat the object directly. These elements are usually designed for no-open flames; therefore electric models can be the excellent choice if you are looking for zero of carbon emissions (clearance to combustibles). Generally, they are rated in Watts of heating capacity. We need around 3 units with 4,000 watts to obtain the same distribution and measurement in BTU of 40,000 BTU (powerful enough the warm up 300 square feet patio). And according to patioheatingusa.com, the cost of operation for this size (40,000 BTU) will spend around $1.316 for each hour when the unit running continuously. In addition, in order to obtain 40,000, we have to connect the heater into 240-V electrical conduit.

Propane patio heaters

One big advantage on using this kind of heater is the installation that can be installed relatively easier, since there is not required special plumbing. Moreover, it is not too difficult to find propane gas fuel in most areas. Propane fuel is usually stored in the pressurized tank! Therefore the unit and the tank can be moved easily from one location to another location (more portability and nice idea for mobile requirement).

The common propane patio heating units with 40,000 BTU in size, 20 LB cylinder (standard 5 Gal) was used to test the cost of operation!

1. The unit is powerful enough to warm up 314 square feet patio.
2. The cost to fill the propane tank (5 gallons), we have to pay around $16, and this tank is able to work for average usage for around 10 hours.
3. So we can calculate how much money to run the unit per hour is $1.6
4. And we get the conclusion; if you prioritize the cheapest cost of operation then this type is not too good because the cost is higher than electric units and natural gas units! But, once again there is not needed special wiring and plumbing for the installation!

Natural gas ‘methane’ patio heaters

The installation of them is not as easy as the installation of propane units with pressurized propane tank. There is required a plumbed connection, and therefore this kind of heater is also not as mobile as propane units! Even in many cases, we have to hire a professional plumber or a contractor for the installation. Below is the summary of testing one of them that has 4,000 BTU in the size of power heating capacity;

1. It is powerful enough to heat up 314 square feet area of patio!
2. The gas supply is usually constant and we don’t have to refill the tank like in propane units with pressurized propane tank. Furthermore, there are no up-front costs for the fuel. But you may need to pay extra cost for the installation on hiring a qualified professional installer for the first time.
3. And for the cost of operation, we need to pay around $0.476 per hour to operate the unit, so this type is the best choice if you prioritize to use the unit that can work at the cheapest cost of operation line.

Overall, the cost of operation is one of crucial issues to consider on choosing and buying patio heaters. But don’t forget also to evaluate the extra cost for the installation, associated mechanical service costs, and the price to purchase the unit itself for the first time!

The other post: Kerosene heaters!

Image source: patioheatingusa.com