Patio Heaters: All Your Questions and Queries Answered Part 1

  

Patio heaters are a brilliant way to warm you up whilst you are  reading outside on a chilly evening, perhaps swimming in your outdoor pool, or entertaining guests late into the night on a summer’s evening.  However, very little is actually known about patio heaters and it is worth getting to grips with a few key facts before purchasing your very own patio heater:

 

How much heat does a patio heater produce?

 

Without getting too scientific, a patio heater will typically create a similar level of heat as is generated by a small central heating boiler (which is enough to heat a small house!). 

 

How much gas does a patio heater typically use?

 

This is important, especially now as economic and financial times are tough and gas prices are soaring through the roof.  At full power, patio heaters can use up to a kilogram of LPG per hour.  In layman’s terms, a gas cylinder will last 3-6 weeks depending on the temperature and the area you are trying to heat up.  We usually recommend adjusting the pilot control on the patio heater fairly frequently to avoid wastage.

 

Are electric patio heaters cheaper and greener to run?

 

No is the quick and easy answer.  Electric patio heaters will cost you on average 9 pence per KW hour whilst a gas patio heater will set you back 8 pence per unit when it is on at full blast (it is about 6 pence on average).  This difference is because gas patio heaters, as opposed to the electric patio heater, emit radiant heat which heats up the objects around it thus creating a more efficient way of heating up the surrounding environment.

 

Are all patio heaters the same?

 

If they were, your life would be fairly easy!  When hit with sales talk about garden patio heaters, infrared patio heaters, table top patio heaters and portable patio heaters a lot of prospective customers give up!  Generally, if the patio heater is extremely cheap, the chance is it is too good to be true.  It may be worth spending just that little bit more to ensure you get something which is cost-efficient in the long run as well as in the short-run.  Also, it is vital to check that the patio heater you are buying, whether it is an electric patio heater or a gas patio heater, has all the recommended safety features which we talk about on our site.

 

We will continue to address the frequently asked questions on patio heaters in our next article in this series.