A patio is ideal for hosting parties, providing a large space to entertain your guests. But this can also cause problems during the winter months.
To make this space usable, you will need to have a heater. So, what are some of the reasons why infrared heaters are well suited to patios?
Infrared heaters are highly effective at heating large open areas, like patios. The heat they produce won’t be blown away by strong winds. They are compact and won’t produce any noise. Plus, they will be cheaper than other heaters and relatively easy to install.
Heating your patio doesn’t have to be difficult. Installing a few infrared heaters can be the ideal solution.
Read on to learn more about this technology and its advantages.
What Are The Benefits Of Infrared Heaters?
Before we talk about why infrared heaters are the ideal choice for a patio, let’s briefly talk about what an infrared patio heater is. There are a few components to this heater.
First, you have the heat source itself, and then you have the optical reflectors. They focus the heat, directing it towards those on the patio.
This can be compared to a traditional heater, which sends the heat in all directions, resulting in tremendous energy lost to useless space.
There are multiple reasons why people prefer to use infrared heaters; these include:
- Easy to install and maintain. Unlike other heaters, you won’t need to spend much time taking care of an infrared heater. You often need to wipe it down with a damp cloth to eliminate any dirt or dust.
- Relatively low cost. These heaters tend to be fairly low-cost to purchase. They are also fairly cheap to run. If you have solar panels, you can run them for free.
- Compact. Your patio should be dedicated to entertaining guests. Because of this, you don’t want to have a heater cluttering up the area. Infrared heaters can be attached to the ceiling and mounted above the patio.
- No noise. Unlike other heaters, an infrared heater won’t produce any noise when working. This allows you to enjoy the ambiance of the patio area.
- Resistant to weather. This heat can’t be blown away by the wind, making it an ideal choice for outdoor conditions.
However, the most important element to consider is the heater’s effectiveness. This is another area that the infrared heater excels.
It will usually only take three to five minutes to warm up. They also stop sending out heat when turned off, ensuring they are safe to use.
They will produce a lot of heat, and because of this, they won’t have any problems keeping the entire patio space warm.
The heat produced will be similar to that produced by the sun. Because of this, dense objects might start reflecting that heat.
For example, metal chairs can absorb heat and warm up.
Are There Any Downsides To An Infrared Heater?
The heat of an infrared heater can be blocked. If this happens, it won’t be able to flow around the patio. It will rely on electricity so an electrician might be needed for installation. Infrared heaters will get hot, which can pose a potential safety risk.
Of course, no solution is perfect. While infrared heaters have a lot of benefits, there are some downsides that you will need to consider.
These include:
- It Can’t be blocked. You will need to be careful about where you are positioning the heater. You can’t put anything in front of it. If you do, it will absorb the heat before it can spread throughout the rest of the room.
- Requires electrical cables. These heaters will run on electricity. Because of this, they will need cables. Determining the placement of these cables can be difficult, as you don’t want to impact the aesthetic appeal of your patio. You might need to loop cables through the ceiling or walls to make them harder to detect.
- It Will become hot. The surface of the heater can become very hot, and you will get burned if you accidentally touch it. Because of this, you will need to keep it out of reach of small children.
However, the downsides of an infrared heater are often outweighed by the positives.
How Does An Infrared Heater Compare To Other Patio Heating Options?
Infrared heaters will be less bulky and won’t require any ventilation. Since they are heating objects rather than the air, infrared heaters won’t be affected by wind. On the other hand, alternative heaters won’t be reliant on electricity. Infrared heaters also lack the visual appeal of some gas heaters, which produce a flame.
Of course, an infrared heater isn’t the only way to keep your patio warm. To understand why it is one of the best options, we need to look at how it compares to the other heaters on the market.
First, many other heaters are big and bulky, particularly ones that run on gas. Because of this, you will need to be careful where to place them.
You don’t want guests to be bumping against them during a party. On the other hand, infrared heaters are compact and can be discreetly incorporated into the roof.
Another crucial difference is what is being heated. Many models, like convection heaters, will be heating the air. The problem is that this heat can be lost easily.
Environmental factors, like wind, won’t affect an infrared heater, as they are heating objects.
Furthermore, some heaters, like gas heaters, will struggle in a confined space. This is because they need ventilation to ensure the gas is diffused safely.
You don’t need to worry about this with an infrared heater.
However, there are a few areas where other types of heaters will come out on top. First, gas heaters can produce a flame. Watching the fire dance in the wind can be visually appealing.
Another big advantage is that other heaters don’t require electricity to operate properly. This means that you won’t need to call out an electrician to change the wiring to connect the power to the outside of the house.
Can Infrared Heaters Be Used for Indoor Heating as Well?
Yes, infrared heaters can be used for indoor heating as well. They are efficient in heating space with patio heaters, providing targeted warmth without affecting the overall room temperature. These heaters are safe, energy-efficient, and perfect for keeping indoor areas warm and cozy during chilly weather.
Final Thoughts On Infrared Patio Heaters
Heating a patio can be tough, particularly if you have a large space. An infrared heater will be effective, stylish, practical, and inexpensive like this Sunwave 3000 Watt Infrared Patio Heater.
Because of this, they are considered the best heat source for patios.
