A light in the darkness – it’s imagery that speaks to our most primitive instincts as well as our more complex emotions. It’s a symbol of hope, a beacon, the hearth fires blazing. It’s the expectation of coming in from the cold or the promise of a good time had with friends. Nobody understands this psychology better than our restaurateurs and pub owners who for years have been enticing us in from the street with their moodlily-lit beer gardens and glowing heaters. They let us forget about our cold northerly climate for an evening and enjoy a little taste of continental living. Light heaters instantly make a space more inviting and can make even the average domestic patio feel as luxuriant and exotic as the terrace of a hacienda. If you’re tired of looking out at your cold and underused patio, it’s worth taking a look at the different kinds of light heaters available to help you strike the right atmosphere.
What Makes Light Heaters Glow?
Light heaters are known for their bright, reddy-orange glow and the vigorous heat they give off when in operation but did you know that these two qualities are inextricably linked? In order to create this powerful heat, light heaters use a filament (usually tungsten) encased in a quartz bulb, which heats to temperatures in excess of 1800 °C. At these high temperatures, the filament glows red-hot and produces a form of infrared so strong that it’s on the cusp of visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. In essence, they’re not much different from a light bulb, though where heat production is seen as an inefficient by-product of old incandescent light bulbs, the heat from a quartz bulb is considered its most important feature. This similarity is also why they’re sometimes referred to as ‘heat lamps’ because they provide a ready source of light and warmth in one package. So, if the bulb is glowing red-hot, why aren’t we blinded whenever we switch them on? It’s actually because the light emitted from these heaters is filtered through special coatings and reflectors to make it more agreeable to the human eye. If you look carefully – not while the heater’s in operation, mind you! – you can see their bulbs are gold coated to reduce the intensity of the light emitted. This thin film of gold manages to reduce the harsh light created by the filament down to the pleasant rosy glow that’s characteristic of these heaters. For such a simple technological innovation, it makes a world of difference.
Are All Light Heaters the Same?
Light heaters generally fall into one of two categories: low glare and ultra-low glare. Though both types follow the same heating principles, there are subtle differences between the two that you might want to be aware of before making a purchase.
Low Glare Patio Heaters
These heaters are most often referred to as halogen heaters or quartz heaters, but whichever term you prefer, they both amount to the same thing. Low glare heaters are your standard electric patio heater – they produce the strongest form of heat and the most amount of light, which necessitates the use of the gold-coated bulbs mentioned previously. These types of light heaters can be the most beneficial if your patio has minimal lighting and will bathe your outdoor seating areas with a warming orange glow against the dark of the night. As they produce the strongest form of heat, they’re a must if you find you’re frequently retreating indoors because your patio is exposed to chilly gusts of wind. Some low glare light heaters, like our Ecostrad Sunglo, are compatible with parasol brackets so you can direct your heating and lighting to your outdoor dining areas. If you’d rather not go for a fixed fitting, the Sunglo can also be used with a compatible stand so you can pick up and place your outdoor heater wherever you want – great if you don’t want to be restricted to just one area of your garden.
Ultra-Low Glare Patio Heaters
These heaters are difficult to clearly define because manufacturers achieve this reduced light effect in a variety of ways. Some ultra-low glare light heaters are exactly the same as standard models except they use double-coated bulbs to reduce the level of glare. Others utilise an entirely different approach in the form of a carbon fibre filament. Instead of using tungsten, heaters like our Herschel California and Ecostrad Thermaglo use a woven carbon fibre filament that is designed to heat to lower temperatures and produce a mellower form of warmth. This doesn’t mean they’re ineffective as heaters, far from it. Carbon fibre bulbs heat to around 1000 – 1200 °C and emit mediumwave infrared, which is still very effective for outdoor heating. You may be better off with a low glare outdoor heater if your patio is exposed to the elements, but for more sheltered locations, a carbon heater can be the more comfortable choice. Their gentler heat is evidenced by the fact that you can actually look into the bulb and see the carbon filament inside. There’s no gold coating to filter out the light they produce because it’s already at a lower intensity comfortable enough for use.
Setting the Scene for Evening Entertaining
Patios don’t have to be left swathed in darkness when you’ve got a light heater to set the scene. As well as taking the chill off the cool evening air, these stylish outdoor heaters will create a small oasis of light in your garden where you can relax and spend quality time with friends and family. Let the light play off the contours of your wine glass, sink back into your chair and enjoy the peace and quiet of your own back yard.
