| One of the biggest trends among homeowners | | | | your outdoor room. |
| today is building or improving outdoor rooms around | | | | Free-standing, table-top, or wall-mounted? |
| the house, such as patios and decks. According to a | | | | Free-standing heaters are larger (about 95 inches tall) |
| recent survey conducted by the Propane Education | | | | and more powerful than table-top heaters. Table-top |
| and Research Council (PERC), 50 percent of | | | | heaters, though, because they are lighter and smaller, |
| homeowners in the U.S. spend more time at home | | | | are also much easier to carry around, wherever you |
| now than they did five years ago. Further, 80 | | | | want to go. A good example of a table-top heater is |
| percent of those surveyed thought that it was very | | | | the Lil Arctic Sun Original, which can radiate heat in an |
| important for a home to have a relaxing outdoor | | | | 8 foot diameter. |
| room. One of the top items PERC recommends for | | | | For larger groups, you might want to try the |
| creating the perfect outdoor room is a patio heater. | | | | free-standing Arctic Sun Bullet, an affordable |
| A study conducted by the Hearth, Patio, and | | | | commercial grade heater that radiates heat in up to a |
| Barbecue Association (HPBA) shows that 56 percent | | | | 20 foot diameter. Infrared heaters are often quite |
| of all grill owners, and 69 percent of gas grill owners, | | | | versatile; they can be be hung on a wall, on a pole, |
| now grill out on a regular basis year round. By using | | | | or even possibly overhead. |
| an outdoor patio heater, or perhaps an alternative | | | | Portable or stationary? |
| such as a chiminea, many of those people could | | | | Stationary heaters are advantageous because they |
| continue to enjoy the entire outdoors experience by | | | | hook up to your natural gas lines, and so do not have |
| also eating outside during cold weather. | | | | tanks that need to be replaced or refilled. If you plan |
| The Safety of Patio Heaters | | | | on moving the heater to different locations, though, |
| Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes | | | | you will need a portable propane model. Portable |
| to home appliances. Patio heaters these days are | | | | heaters can be either free-standing or table-top |
| very safe, and getting better all the time. Many gas | | | | models. Many of the free-standing units come with |
| heaters come with a piezo electric starter, so there | | | | hidden wheels to make movement easier. |
| is no need for matches and no pilot light. Another | | | | One of the newest and most unique types of |
| common safety feature is an automatic emergency | | | | portable heaters now available is the Dayva Tiki |
| shut off. If a unit with this feature is ever overturned | | | | Torch. It is small heater with a long spike that can |
| or even hit too hard, it will instantly shut itself off. | | | | stick in the ground or the umbrella hole of a table. |
| Fuel Types | | | | This heater is perfect for camping or a late-night trip |
| Patio heaters are manufactured to run off one of | | | | to the beach. |
| three different fuel types: propane, natural gas, or | | | | How much heat? |
| electricity. Natural gas is used for permanent, | | | | The strength of a patio heater is rated in BTU's. As |
| stationary heaters. Propane, conveniently available in | | | | an example, a 45,000 BTU heater will produce a 20 |
| tanks, allows a heater to be moved about. Infrared | | | | foot heat diameter. Free-standing heaters are |
| heaters are often powered by electricity, though | | | | generally more powerful than table-top heaters, and |
| some are run by natural gas. | | | | so can be used for larger groups. |
| Choosing Between Various Options | | | | In conclusion . . . |
| New types and sizes of patios heaters become | | | | Patio heaters are a welcome and useful addition to |
| available regularly. As you look through the various | | | | America's increasingly outdoor lifestyle. They safely |
| options below, consider your specific needs. Do you | | | | and efficiently turn chilly nights into warm, |
| want a stationary heater, or a portable one? How | | | | comfortable evenings, perfect for you and your |
| much heat do you need considering the people you | | | | family to get together and relax. After all, relaxing is |
| will entertain? Asking yourself these kinds of | | | | one thing we just do not do enough these days. |
| questions will guide you to the heater best suited to | | | | |