How To Enhance Your Outdoors With A Heater

By Author: Bryan Roe
Total Articles: 4762
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Everyone treasures their outdoor space. The garden can be one of the nicest places to sit, especially in the warmth of the summer sun. BBQs with friends make this a perfect environment, except for one issue. The cool evening chill can make this an unpleasant place to sit. No sooner have you finished your meal then you and your guests are all moving inside the house and to be honest, it drives you up the wall.  You are certainly not alone, and the last few years have seen an increase of U.S. citizens choosing to take action and do something about it.  The easiest solution is to look into the range of outdoor heaters especially designed to tackle this very problem.

Electric Heater
There are three main sources of fuel when it comes to outside heaters so fuel source should be one of the first things you decide upon. Obviously, for most people electric heaters are the easiest to install. Just plug straight into your main supply and you are ready to go! However, remember that water and electricity do not mix so take care where you locate you heater. If possible, plug it into a specially designed outdoor ...
... electric point or make sure that the cables run neatly inside to an internal source.  These heaters have no safety issues that are associated with gas-style heaters and for some, this may be the winning argument.  The electric heater tends to be a small floor standing-type heater that starts heating at ground level or that can be mounted higher on the wall if needed. Again, you need to consider where the cables go.  Check the mounted capabilities of each unit as they do vary and some will not be designed to go up high.  It is possible to get a range of electric outdoor heaters that are only designed to be wall-mounted. If this would prove problematic, consider a free-standing lamp-style heater. This stands safely on the floor and has the heating element mounted at the end of a long neck, bringing the heater up to shoulder and face level. This could make a real difference in your comfort and warmth if you are still sitting at the patio table.

Propane Gas Heater
The other two options for fuel are both gas-based-propane gas and natural gas. If you are happy with the safety side of gas-and let's face it, there's nothing to worry about if you observe the proper safety guidelines-you open the doors to a whole range of outdoor heaters in a variety of designs.  Propane gas heaters tend to be more versatile. The fuel is stored within the heater, normally in a small canister concealed within the shell of the appliance, which means that you can have these placed a long way from buildings. This is ideal if your seating area is on one end of the garden since you won't need trailing wires or cable piping to hide more permanent wiring. You can simply carry the heaters to the point you feel they would be most useful.  Obviously, common sense needs to prevail with these heaters. Do not try and light them right after they have been moved. Allow the gas to settle. Try and sit them in a place where they are not likely to be knocked into by boisterous dogs or children. If they are small and stand on your table, ensure the table is stable and flat before you begin.  If all safety guidelines are followed, there is no reason why the propane heaters will not provide you with a lovely warm solution to your cooler evenings.

Natural Gas Heater
The last choice in fuel is the natural gas heater. This needs to be installed to feed off your existing gas supply so it needs to be fairly near a building; having a gas supply in the property is a prerequisite.  These are more permanent installations and do not have the portability of the propane gas heaters. They do, however, never run out of gas or need the canister changed.  These need to be installed by a registered gas fitter. They are very good at providing a constant heat source for the outside area.  With all of the options, budget may be the deciding factor as the prices will vary but there are some low-cost options certainly with electric and propane ranges. Obviously, the hard-wired natural gas options are the most expensive but could well be worth the investment.
About Author:
The Outdoor Heater Store is part of the Koolfog family of outdoor heating and cooling products and services. We are the leading source for architects, builders, contractors and end-users for outdoor heater. We offer solid, commercial quality natural, gas, electric, and propane outdoor heaters that can be enjoyed by retail consumers. Our style models include mobile heaters, portable heaters, free-standing outdoor heaters, mounted installed heaters, in-ground heaters and table top heaters.