| Heaters specifically designed for outdoor patio | | | | To ensure good, even heat coverage, restaurant |
| seating areas have been around for well over 25 | | | | owners are advised to consult with a reputable |
| years. Early on, patio heaters were limited basically | | | | infrared representative. Working with the |
| to the "mushroom" style propane heaters.... you | | | | restaurant owner, an experienced infrared person |
| know, the ones where a heater head sits atop a | | | | can help lay out a system in a pattern best suited |
| post (like a lamp post) and a mushroom shape | | | | to the arrangement of tables and seating and |
| shroud over the top reflects a circular pattern of | | | | offer the best control options to meet the |
| infrared radiant heat in a 12' diameter circle to the | | | | desires of the owner or manager. |
| area below. | | | | Other ceiling suspended patio heaters, called "high |
| Years ago, these mushroom style heaters sold | | | | intensity" infrared heaters, have been around for |
| for up to $650.00. Today, those same heaters sell | | | | many years and are still very popular for |
| for under $299.00 and are readily available at | | | | restaurants and homeowners alike. Measuring |
| many hardware stores, home centers and online | | | | about 4 feet in length, they can be suspended |
| from numerous sources. | | | | from a ceiling, a wall or an eave, making them |
| Since the intro of the "mushroom" heater, patio | | | | very versatile and simple to install. Multiple units |
| heating has become a bit more sophisticated. | | | | can be strategically patterned to cover large |
| Today, ceiling suspended heaters have become a | | | | seating areas, whereas one or two heaters is just |
| popular choice for restaurant owners because | | | | fine over a hot tub, doorway or picnic table. |
| they free up valuable floor space. Where a | | | | So the question is, "Why heat my patio area?". |
| covered patio exists, gas-fired infrared radiant | | | | For restaurant owners, the answer is simple. |
| tube heaters have become very popular. | | | | They do it to draw more people into their |
| Infra-red (radiant) tube heaters are simple. They | | | | restaurants. A heated patio gives owners the |
| consist of a burner at one end of a 4" diameter | | | | opportunity to expand seating and increase |
| tube (typically 10' to 50' in length) with a parabolic | | | | revenue. Most people are drawn to places where |
| reflector running over the top of the tube - down | | | | they can enjoy being outside, especially when the |
| its entire length. Hot gases shoot through the tube | | | | sky is clear. Note also, in recent years indoor |
| until it gets hot. A parabolic reflector over the top | | | | smoking restrictions and new laws from both local |
| of the tube reflects the heat energy to the | | | | and federal agency's have prompted restaurant |
| people zone. Just like the sun, people and objects | | | | owners to look for ways to keep their clients |
| are bathed in soft radiant heat, but without the | | | | coming back. An outdoor heating system is a |
| harmful UV rays. | | | | courtesy to these patrons, which can have a |
| One benefit of infrared tube heaters is that they | | | | dramatic impact on customer satisfaction. |
| can cover a larger seating area with fewer | | | | For homeowners - well, who doesn't want to be |
| burners. They are also available with optional deco | | | | outside, especially on those cool evenings? Patio |
| grills, which help give the appliance a more finished | | | | heaters are a great way to prolong the outdoor |
| appearance. They can even be recessed in drop | | | | season and ensure that friends and relatives are |
| ceilings. | | | | kept warm and happy. |