| As of November 2009, thirty-five states in the | | | | Choosing Between Various Patio Heater Options |
| U.S. have enacted statewide bans on smoking in | | | | When researching the various commercial patio |
| most, if not all, enclosed public places, including | | | | heaters on the market, one of the most |
| restaurants and, in many cases, bars. During the | | | | important considerations is the heater's power, |
| summer, smokers can sit outside on patios, | | | | which is rated in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The |
| decks, or in gardens. But when the weather turns | | | | average heater rates at about 45,000 BTUs, |
| cold, smoking customers might rather stay home | | | | enough to make a 20 foot heat circle. Keep in |
| than eat out, which can seriously hurt the | | | | mind the size of your outdoor eating and |
| restaurant business. In response to this problem, | | | | gathering space; this will determine if more than |
| more and more owners and managers in the | | | | one heater would be needed to keep your |
| restaurant industry are investing in outdoor patio | | | | customers cozy. Another factor to consider is |
| heaters. By using patio heaters, restaurants and | | | | style. The heater should fit comfortably with the |
| bars can attract more customers, including | | | | decor of your establishment, whether traditional |
| customers who smoke, and prevent drops in their | | | | or modern. Some models, for example, are |
| revenues during the colder seasons. | | | | reminiscent of a classic iron lamp post and bring a |
| Patio Heater Fuel Types | | | | traditional elegance to the environment. Other |
| There are three fuel types used to power | | | | models offer a more sleek, modern, even |
| outdoor heaters: natural gas, propane, and | | | | futuristic appearance. |
| electricity. For restaurants, natural gas might be | | | | A Couple of Tips |
| the best option because the heater hooks up to | | | | If you plan on moving the heater, be certain to |
| the gas lines and never needs refueling. Natural | | | | purchase a model equipped with wheels. The |
| gas heaters cannot be moved, however. If you | | | | wheels are often hidden, so they will not |
| plan to move the heater, for catering or other | | | | negatively affect the appearance of the heater. |
| purposes, propane heaters may be the best | | | | Too much wind in your outdoor area can |
| choice. Propane patio heaters run on tanks and | | | | adversely affect the outdoor heater's |
| can be set up in only a few short minutes. | | | | performance. This problem can be solved rather |
| Common Safety Features | | | | easily, though, by using screens, shades, or other |
| Of course, safety is a significant consideration for | | | | wind breakers. |
| businesses. Many patio heaters are built with this | | | | An Asset to Restaurants |
| concern in mind, so they come with excellent | | | | Patio heaters have undoubtedly proved their |
| safety features. One important feature is an | | | | usefulness to restaurants and bars. Fortunately, as |
| automatic emergency shut off. If the heater | | | | their popularity has increased in recent years, their |
| overturns, or is even jostled too vigorously, it | | | | price has decreased considerably. So it is now |
| automatically turns off. Another common feature | | | | easier than ever to use patio heaters to help your |
| is a piezo electric starter, which does not require | | | | business maintain old patrons and gain new ones. |
| a pilot light. | | | | |