Despite the fact several of us enjoy drinking in pub gardens and eating outside at local restaurants, the weather isn’t always warm enough to do so. On top of that, dinner parties and family barbecues aren’t always possible either, as the summer evenings can get chilly quite quickly.

Thankfully, there is a solution, which landlords as well as business and homeowners can take advantage of. Outdoor heaters are on hand to provide some much needed additional warmth to patrons, diners and friends at any time of the year.

However, another problem arises when trying to find the right kind of patio heater. Although traditional options are fuelled by oil and gas, these have various drawbacks. As such, more and more people are looking into infrared outdoor heaters instead.

But what do you need to know before making a purchase? And how do you choose an infrared outdoor heater?

 

Traditional Outdoor Heaters

In the past, the only outdoor heating option available was an oil or gas burner. Although these are still used, it can take a while for an outside space to get warm. This is because gas heaters rely on convection currents, whereas oil burners are dependent on radiated heat.

What’s more, oil and gas outdoor heaters are often expensive to run and require fossil fuels to work. This results in toxic carbon dioxide emissions, which damage the environment and can be harmful if breathed in by people nearby.

Coupled with the fact that fuel tanks take up an awful lot of room, both oil and gas outdoor heaters can’t be used in enclosed areas. But even when they are located in a suitable environment, there is an ever-present danger that the fuel will run out, leaving paying guests or close companions feeling cold.

 

Infrared Outdoor Heaters

Conversely, infrared outdoor heaters only require a low wattage of electricity to work, so they won’t increase your utility bills by that much.

Furthermore, they do not add anything to the air or take anything away from it, resulting in zero emissions. So, from a sustainability point of view, they are incredibly eco-friendly.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about infrared outdoor heaters is their ability to product instant warmth. Rather than trying to heat up the air, infrared outdoor heaters will target surrounding objects instead. Energy is absorbed and then dissipated by these objects, creating an even and consistent temperature.

 

How to Choose an Infrared Outdoor Heater

Now you know why infrared outdoor heaters are much better than the alternatives, here is what you need to know when searching for the right one.

• Location – Generally speaking, infrared outdoor heaters are most effective and efficient when mounted horizontally. If your outside space has an awning or some kind of cover, this would be an ideal location.

 
• Power – If you see an infrared outdoor heater with a high IP (ingress proof) rating, think twice as to whether this amount of power is worth it. It could end up providing too much heat, especially to people sitting or standing underneath a cover.
 
• Features – It is desirable to have a push button or motion sensor installed on an infrared outdoor heater to conserve energy and save money when not in use. The same goes for a temperature control feature, which can be adjusted according to the weather conditions.
 
• Type – Even though halogen and quartz element heaters utilise similar technology, they use shorter wavelengths that give off a bright red glow, which can damage one’s eyes.

 

If you require any additional help or want to discover more information, contact Infrared Heaters Direct today. In addition to receiving expert advice from an experienced and knowledgeable team, you can also rest assured that your choice of heater won’t let you down, as all products have at least a 5 year warranty.