Outdoor spaces can quickly become chilly and cold. Because of this, many people turn to infrared heaters to warm the area. But are infrared heaters worth it?
Yes. There are multiple reasons why infrared heaters provide good value for money. They are effective, providing a lot of heat. They are also easy to and will last a long time. Compared to other heaters, they are inexpensive to install and operate.
When designing an outdoor space, it’s important to ensure that you are getting value for your money.
This is especially true when facing a potentially large investment, like installing an infrared heater.
Read on to learn if this type of heater is a good option.
Why Do Infrared Heaters Provide Good Value For Money?
There are a few reasons why people often turn to infrared heaters for their patio heating needs. These include:
- Effective. The biggest benefit is that this heater won’t have trouble heating a patio. Within a few minutes, it will be able to start heating the area. Unlike other heaters, it will provide direct heat, replicating the effects of the sun. This ensures that it won’t be affected by the rain.
- Easy to maintain. It’s important to consider how much a heater will cost to run over the long-time. In this case, an infrared heater is a great option. You just need to wipe it down occasionally to stop dirt and dust from accumulating. Unlike other heaters, there is no motor or moving parts to worry about.
- Long-lasting. It’s common for these heaters to last for around ten years. If you get a high-quality manufacturer, you should be able to get a five-year warranty.
- Environmentally friendly. Increasingly, people are thinking about the impact that they are having on the environment. It is worth paying a little more for something that will reduce your impact on the planet. Since infrared heaters run on electricity, they will be less wasteful than other models, like gas heaters.
- Safe. If you accidentally touch one of these heaters, you could get a burn. The good news is that this is rare. When designing a patio, most of these heaters will be placed above the outdoor area, out of arm’s reach. Plus, when you turn them off, they will stop radiating heat instantly.
These benefits are why many people choose to install infrared heaters on their patios. In each area, an infrared heater will compare favorably with other heater options on the market.
Are Infrared Heaters Expensive To Install And Run?
Most infrared heaters will start at between $100 to $150. A 240V model will cost approximately $2.75 an hour, while a 120V model will be $0.64 an hour. Depending on the size of the patio, homeowners might need to install multiple heaters, multiplying the costs.
To understand whether it’s good value for money, we need to know how much these heaters will cost to install.
There are a few factors that will influence this cost. They include:
- Quality. You might need to pay a little more to get a heater that will last a long time.
- Size of the patio. You might need multiple heaters to warm a large outdoor area.
- Difficulty of installation. Sometimes, you will need to pay an electrician to come to your house and install it. This ensures that it will be wired in properly.
With this in mind, let’s look at some of the most popular types of heaters and how much each one will cost. For a basic wall-mounted model, you could be looking at just $150.
To get higher quality parts and performance, look to the Sunwave 3000 Watt Infrared Patio Heater below.
The heater comes with two Gold coated Halogen low glare shortwave infrared technologies and patented parabolic heat reflectors, making it stand apart from the competition with heat output tested and lab certified by upwards of 40%.
However, you can find telescoping models where the infrared model is on a pole. These can start at around $100.
This will be able to keep 100 square feet warm. We can compare this to the cost of one of the most popular competitors, a gas heater.
A basic tabletop model will cost $150, while a larger free-standing model will start at $200.
We also need to consider how much it will cost to run. These models will rely on electricity to run properly. So, you will need to factor in the electricity costs in your area.
Generally, though, it will cost around $2.75 to run a 240 Volt heater for an hour. If you have a 120 Volt heater, it will cost just $0.68 per hour.
Of course, if you have solar panels mounted onto your house, you might be able to run the heater for free or at a very minimal cost.
This can be compared to a butane heater which will cost around $3 per hour.
Tips To Make Sure That You Are Getting Value For Money
While infrared heaters are comparatively inexpensive, there are a few elements you should consider to ensure you are getting good value for money.
These include:
- Look for quality, not price. One of the most common mistakes people make is searching for the lowest cost products. But these risk more mechanical problems and will need to be frequently replaced. Because of this, it’s best to choose something that is high-quality and will last for years. Over the long term, this choice will pay dividends.
- Find a good warranty. Many models will come with a manufacturer’s warranty. This is a good way of ensuring that the product will be built to last for a long time. If you have any mechanical problems, you can let the manufacturer fix them for you.
- Find the right type of heater. Because they are so popular, there is a huge range of infrared heaters for you to purchase. Some will be attached to the ceiling. While they might be a little more expensive, they will be out of the way. Others will be on the floor. While a little more impractical, they will more affordable. You just need to look around a little to find something that will suit your budget.
- Style. Lastly, consider the style of the patio area. This will allow you to get something that will complement the space.
-Do Infrared Heaters Use Propane and How Long Do They Last on a Patio?
Infrared heaters for patio heating use propane as a fuel source. The duration of a propane tank depends on the heat setting and tank size. Typically, a 20-pound propane tank can last anywhere from 10 to 20 hours, providing extended warmth for outdoor spaces.
Final Thoughts on If Infrared Patio Heaters Are Worth It
An infrared heater might be ideal if you are looking for a low-cost yet effective way to heat your patio.
Because of this, it will usually be worth purchasing a high-quality model for an outdoor space.
