An outdoor patio heater is the perfect addition to any backyard!
If you’re in the market for a patio heater, keep reading to learn how to pick the best one for your needs!
What Type Of Patio Heater Do You Need?
Patio heaters come in a variety of styles. These styles include the following:
Floor And Freestanding Heaters
These heaters are probably the most popular ones out there. They look similar to what you would see on a bar or restaurant patio. Floor and freestanding heaters are convenient because they can be set up anywhere on your patio as long as they are near a fuel source.
This type of heater can be powered by propane, electricity, or natural gas.
Tabletop Heaters
Tabletop heaters are similar in style to free standing heaters. However, as the name suggests, they are small enough to sit on a table. They aren’t as powerful as a larger, free standing heater. But, if you don’t have a lot of space on your patio, this might be a good option for you.
Tabletop heaters can be fueled by electricity or propane, but electric versions are more common.
Wall Mounted Heaters
Another good choice for people who have limited space is a wall mounted heater. This style provides heat without adding clutter to your patio.
Wall mounted heaters are usually powered by electricity. They come with wall mount brackets and can often be adjusted. This way, you can point heat in the direction you need.
Safety Considerations
In addition to style, it’s important to consider a heater’s safety features. Some you should look for include:
Automatic Shutoff
This feature will prevent your patio heater from becoming a fire hazard.
Whether you don’t always remember to turn things off before going inside ,or just want to make sure the heater doesn’t get too hot, you’ll appreciate having an automatic shutoff function.
Tilt-Over Protection
This is another feature that will prevent your heater from becoming a fire hazard. Basically, if your heater gets knocked over for any reason, it will automatically turn off.
Heaters with this feature are perfect for people who often have kids or pets running around on their patio.
Cool Touch Glass
If you do have children or pets around, this feature will keep them from getting burned by the heater if they touch or brush against it.
Additional Features
Safety-related features aren’t the only ones you should be looking for. Depending on your style and personal needs, patio heaters come with a number of other features to consider.
Assembly Type
If you want to immediately start using your heater, you might want to look for one that comes fully-assembled. This way, you can take it out of the box and enjoy it right away.
Control Type
Many electronic heaters come with buttons that allow you to easily change the heat levels to suit your needs. Some also come with remotes to make the process even easier.
Flame Control
If you want a propane or natural gas heater, look for one that allows you to easily adjust the flame to fit your preferred heat level.
Now What?
Now that you know a bit more about what to look for in a patio heater, it’s time to shop! Check out our list of the 5 best outdoor heaters today.
Have other heater-related questions? Check out our other blog posts to learn more!
