Outdoor patio heaters

It is undeniable that one of popular options to make people feel comfortable while sitting and standing outside in the chilly weather is patio heaters! And there some different styles of them to choose from, such as; rectangular style (similar to wall heating units that can be mounted on the ceiling or wall of enclosed patio), or the ones with lamp-style that so helpful to encourage the appearance of the patio because this type is similar to beautiful street lamps. Basically the working principle of patio heating units is closely similar to other regular heaters but there are some different principles to look for (depending on the heating design of the unit itself).

So how do patio heaters work? Well, there are three popular types of patio heaters; electric, propane (with pressurized propane cylinder) and natural gas patio heating units in order to accommodate the different requirements. And each type has a slightly different working principle on heating the outside area, especially between propane and natural gas models. If you seriously want to keep the utility bills low, natural gas models are much recommended, especially if your local area is available for natural gas pipeline transmission.

How do propane and natural gas patio heaters work?

The working principle of natural gas and propane units are closely similar! The difference is only on how to supply the gas fuel into the burning components (chamber burner). For propane models, the unit is connected by approved gas regulator to the pressurized propane tank (LPG). And on the other hand for natural gas models, the supply of gas fuel is consistent because the unit is directly connected to the small natural gas pipeline transmission.

The approved regulator is not only important to connect the propane tank to the unit but also important to keep the correct flow of the gas entering the chamber-burner. In the UK, generally most of regulators are designed to fit properly with 28 mbar butane cylinders and 37 mbar propane tanks.

Conventional combustion patio heaters use a pilot light fired, they usually will light first it before operating the primer gas chamber. On the other hand, the newer units have gas valves that are designed to work on a continuous system of pilot. But either conventional units or newer units also use the thermocouple. It has function to get the needed temperature before the gas chamber begins to be fired. So it is closely associated to maintain the heat level and allow the system to turn down the heat or higher.

Below are some important components (and their functions) of combustion patio heaters:

1. Thermocouple, the function has been mentioned before!
2. Electromagnetic valve (it is usually located in the back of valve-control-gas and connected directly to the thermocouple) and has function to transfer a signal to close or open the valve; so thus the performance of the pilot to heat the thermocouple can be maintained as well.
3. Tilt switch (safety feature that usually connected directly to the gas control valve). It will shut off the supply of gas if the heater gets fall or tilt over more than thirty degrees.
4. Reflector, it has a function to reflect the heat towards the ground.

Gas patio heating units are usually designed to heat the objects directly. Therefore they are built in with radiant heating design (closely similar with IR ‘Infrared energy’) for their working principle. So, they produce the same result of the naturally ‘sunlight’ heating effect (without harmful ultraviolet) that heat the objects directly with radiant heating principle.

How do electric patio heaters work?

The working principle of them is also based on the radiant heating principle. Once we turn on the unit, then the transformer is automatically turned on. The transformer has function to control the required electric supply on the electric radiant heating elements. With a certain electric supply, the electric elements will result a certain infrared frequency that eventually will create the radiant heating effect to heat directly any objects surrounding the heater. This means, the system does not heat the air first to heat the objects. These heated-objects (including people, furniture, walls, etc) will create the ambient heat to turn heat the air surrounding the unit. This mechanism is important since most of patio is designed for open-space areas so thus the unit does not need to heat the entire air in the patio to encourage the better efficiency performance.

In addition, there is almost no moving part; therefore electric patio heaters usually will require less care (easier for the maintenance). Typically, the only component that should be concerned with more extra care is the heating elements or perhaps we have to replace them regularly if necessary. And there are some reviews say one of factors to determine the quality of the unit is the frequency replacement of the heating elements!

Image source: Amazon.Com

Read also which one of electric, propane and natural gas patio heating units that can work with the cheapest of the cost of operation!

Patio Heaters: How Do They Work (The Working Principle) is a post from: More Heaters

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Outdoor propane patio heater

Today we can find many options of the heating device to meet to our family specification. If you are still confuse and still don’t have the decision on what kind heater type that want to buy for your home, then why not to try to use propane patio heater. It is present one popular of the modern heating devices and today it comes with more new additional features, more stylish and more satisfied to give service to use to heat the extreme weather temperature. So if you are looking for the best heaters and highest better than traditional heaters for your enjoyable patio then the best answer is propane patio heaters.

Propane patio heaters have been designed with coated bronze mostly and they are already to anything style to varieties type outdoor space or outdoor areas especially in patio. Some people usually prefer to use electric heaters types because the gas heaters usually always equipped with tank that make bad looking for getting view in patio. But now most of propane patio heaters can answer this problem where we can choose models of them that hidden the tank (for storage propane gas fuel) from view so become better looking in view side. They can provide 160 degrees Fahrenheit of warmth because of usually they have a very decorate cover which shields the infrared heating units. They also have been designed for ability that can provide some soft lighting that adds to the ambience of any event and they can do it because they have a chimney-looking piece that usually a gas light is inside it and usually a chimney-looking piece is located at the top of the unit.

Propane patio heaters really have been designed ideal to heat patio. In conventional gas patio heaters usually use small cylinder that is as source of start out propane fuel run out and propane gas fuel keep move into to the burner. And usually in standard design products of propane patio heater located at the top of the unit. Then while we turn on the heater the heater will run with use those dome shaped cover reflects heat down warming the air around where the heater located. And in the modern of propane patio heaters technology use the infrared burner and it has design with locate infrared heater much lower inside the unit. This design has purpose to make people you are trying to heat you are increasing the effectiveness of the heater with objects closer to the heating source. For those explanations in this paragraph we can call propane patio heaters heat temperature more effectively and more efficiently because they work to heat the weather temperature directly to the object.

Some of them also equipped with wheels for easier to move or usually many people call this as portability types. By using them we can heat the temperature with energy range between 36,500 BTUs and lower until 20,000 BTUs. The flexibility setting of the energy power for heating make us can easier to adjust the high temperature in them room so we will keep out from the maximum heating all night long or even all day long. It will reduce the energy usage significantly so we can save more money and cut significant energy bill every month.

Well, today propane patio heaters available in many types, models and many additional features. Then if you already have decision to use and want to purchase one of them, first you must learn about anything tips to make decision correctly and helpful to choice the best one of them and finally to meet to your patio specification.  We can find many tips and compare of any brands by searching via online internet or we also can ask to expert professional consultant about patio heater. The simple tips before purchasing one of them is by consider about what kind and type do you prefer, consider about additional features especially safety features, analyze the strength the heater of heating with capacity area of your patio and durable for long time usage or not, and also don’t forget to compare a brand to other brand especially in friendlier prize and quality product.

Propane Patio Heater is a post from: More Heaters

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One of electric outdoor patio heaters

For long time ago we usually see outdoor patio heaters in commercial places such as in restaurant, hotel, and business activity. But for last decade we can find them easily in residential, especially in patio of a house. It indicates that the popularity of the advantages and the benefits of them lead and push many people to use them in home. As well we know that main function of patio heater is to heat the cold weather around patio to be comfort and warm so we can spend longer of our time in patio to enjoyable the fresh air even during the winter season. And outdoor patio heater can answer this challenge well, so why not to try use it for your lovely patio.

In the market we will find many kinds, options, and types of them. Well are you already to make decision to use outdoor patio heaters! If you have made decision to use them better you should learn and consider anything factor to support you can get the best choice one of them. And below is some information that better you read and you should know before finally making a purchasing of as outdoor patio heater.

1. We know that most of outdoor patio heaters usually use electric as fuel. And many people have opinion that by using electric types can give more safety guarantee. But basically most of standard any types of outdoor patio heaters either gas (propane and natural gas) or electric have equipped with standard safety guarantee. If we still blank about this maybe we can try to some indication to make ensure that the heater that will we buy really truly safe to our family. And one of those indicators we can try to make ensure that the heater has automatically to turn off in emergency situation.
2. Then maybe we need to consider about where we will placed the heater. They come in many option about this point. We can find them can be placed hang on the wall, at table or usually we call as table-top heaters, or if we don’t want to consider this point maybe we can purchase one of them that can as free standing heater.
3. Then please consider about how large the area of our patio. By considering it we can determine the capacity power of outdoor patio heater that should ideal we will use to heat out patio efficiently, effectively and optimal. As additional information, commonly we can find that the standard of outdoor patio heaters have coverage heat area with approximate up to 20’ in or 0.5 meters in diameter (usually in small units), but if we don’t satisfied it we still can seek one of them that have longer coverage heating size for our patio.
4. Then consider about what kind the design material for the heater that prefers we want. Most of them have stainless steel as material design. But if we don’t like it then we can make just little bit extra hard to seek one of them that use antique cooper as design material.
5. Then already get one of them that meet to our family specification don’t forget also to use fork over that can be as cover to protect the outdoor patio heater.

Outdoor Patio Heaters is a post from: More Heaters

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Electric patio heate

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

Patio Heater (Electric, Propane and Natural Gas)! is a post from: More Heaters

One of patio heater covers

Every homeowners want to maintenance properly for their useful patio heater so can keep operate with durable long time usage. It we caring to our patio heater keep well then we also must want to seek a tool that can protect more for it and maybe you ever use patio heater cover to give guarantee well to our patio heater. And for you that not yet to try use patio heater covers, why not to try to use them because they really can give more comfort place to our patio heater.

A patio heater cover is a less expensive to get satisfied service to make our patio heater get well place guarantee. The price of it very depends on where you buy it. Many retailer offer it in many varieties range price with not significant different. We can approximate its price in market has range between the highest in $50 and the lowest in $10. The price usually also depend with the quality product and the brand.

Patio heater covers can give satisfied service to keep out the patio heaters from harm like extreme weather or anything else that can result potential harm to the heater and they really look useful if our home locate in continent that often in extreme weather condition and you surely don’t want to get problem or disturbed that you must replace the position of patio to other place to safer place heater while every time unfriendly weather through the house. Therefore better to use patio heater covers to handle this problem with require low cost investment.

In some place, patio heater can be used in all time. And the patio heater cover will look more excellent for this case. Especially in spring and autumn we can spend most the time in one day in patio. So we can just put the cover over the heater then we can keep enjoyable the warm temperature and don’t worry again the heater will can be damage from like bugs and other insects that usually have hobby to make a home inside the heater. Patio heater covers also can protect the heater from ruin that also will result high possibility risk to damage the heater.

In market we can find many variety of patio heater covers especially in material types and the size therefore sometimes it can make us just little bit confuse to choose the best one to our patio heater. But usually many retailer offer them that can be adjust to our heater or we can say that most of them have been designed to suitable to all size of patio heaters.  Ok if you are fell still confusing about to make purchasing correctly to your heater! Below are some tips that useful to find the right one to our patio heater:

1. If we have ever use a brand of patio heater cover and we think this brand heater for cover are credible with high quality product, so why not to continue to use it for longer by buying their product once again. But it’s the first time experience to use cover patio heater, well… You must do little extra work to fine the best one that meet to your patio heater specification.
2. Although in market we find most of them have design to all size, better as possible to find size that suitable to our heater correctly.
3. Then the quality of them usually so is influenced with the quality material of them. So be careful and concern to find the best material that durable for long time usage. As additional information to make covering the heaters up dead-easy, some of them have a functional zipper. And maybe it can become one of many factors that determine the quality of patio heater that we can be used as guideline.

Patio Heater Cover is a post from: More Heaters