A patio heater can be a nice addition to an outdoor space where the temperature tends to dip at night or when the changing seasons bring chillier weather. There are many different styles of patio heaters for a wide array of uses, but almost all will keep garden seating areas, decks, pool sides and patios about ten degrees warmer. Using radiant heat, they heat the objects around them rather than the air itself.
When purchasing a patio heater, it is important to find the right style for the space it will need to heat. For example, some types of patio heaters will not function very well in wind, so it is best to consult with your patio heater dealer on which type will suit your particular patio. The three most common types of patio heaters are fueled by propane, natural gas or electricity.
Propane patio heaters typically use attached propane tanks. Free-standing models feature a base which houses the fuel tank, while a pole around seven feet tall supports the heater and is covered by a dome-shaped hood. Free-standing models are mostly used for heating larger areas; more compact models that are designed to heat smaller areas will sit atop tables, using a one to two pound disposable propane cylinder. Propane heaters are portable, so they can be shifted if the wind conditions change, but the major drawback of any propane heater is the inconvenience of having to refill or replace the propane tank.
Natural gas patio heaters are hooked up to an existing natural gas line. They come in similar styles as their propane counterparts, but the main advantage of natural gas heaters is that they're more economical than propane. But while there is no hassle with refilling or changing propane tanks, you do not have the same versatility when connecting to a gas line then you would have with a portable propane tank.
In addition to natural gas and propane heaters, there are electric patio heater models that can be mounted or free standing. The main advantage with electric heaters is that they're less affected by wind. However, some models do tend to give off an orange ambient glow along with the heat, which can be distracting.