| One of the biggest trends among homeowners | | | | best suited to your outdoor room. |
| today is building or improving outdoor rooms | | | | Free-standing, table-top, or wall-mounted? |
| around the house, such as patios and decks. | | | | Free-standing heaters are larger (about 95 inches |
| According to a recent survey conducted by the | | | | tall) and more powerful than table-top heaters. |
| Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), | | | | Table-top heaters, though, because they are |
| 50 percent of homeowners in the U.S. spend | | | | lighter and smaller, are also much easier to carry |
| more time at home now than they did five years | | | | around, wherever you want to go. A good |
| ago. Further, 80 percent of those surveyed | | | | example of a table-top heater is the Lil Arctic Sun |
| thought that it was very important for a home to | | | | Original, which can radiate heat in an 8 foot |
| have a relaxing outdoor room. One of the top | | | | diameter. |
| items PERC recommends for creating the perfect | | | | For larger groups, you might want to try the |
| outdoor room is a patio heater. | | | | free-standing Arctic Sun Bullet, an affordable |
| A study conducted by the Hearth, Patio, and | | | | commercial grade heater that radiates heat in up |
| Barbecue Association (HPBA) shows that 56 | | | | to a 20 foot diameter. Infrared heaters are often |
| percent of all grill owners, and 69 percent of gas | | | | quite versatile; they can be be hung on a wall, on |
| grill owners, now grill out on a regular basis year | | | | a pole, or even possibly overhead. |
| round. By using an outdoor patio heater, or | | | | Portable or stationary? |
| perhaps an alternative such as a chiminea, many | | | | Stationary heaters are advantageous because |
| of those people could continue to enjoy the entire | | | | they hook up to your natural gas lines, and so do |
| outdoors experience by also eating outside during | | | | not have tanks that need to be replaced or |
| cold weather. | | | | refilled. If you plan on moving the heater to |
| The Safety of Patio Heaters | | | | different locations, though, you will need a |
| Safety is of the utmost importance when it | | | | portable propane model. Portable heaters can be |
| comes to home appliances. Patio heaters these | | | | either free-standing or table-top models. Many of |
| days are very safe, and getting better all the | | | | the free-standing units come with hidden wheels |
| time. Many gas heaters come with a piezo electric | | | | to make movement easier. |
| starter, so there is no need for matches and no | | | | One of the newest and most unique types of |
| pilot light. Another common safety feature is an | | | | portable heaters now available is the Dayva Tiki |
| automatic emergency shut off. If a unit with this | | | | Torch. It is small heater with a long spike that can |
| feature is ever overturned or even hit too hard, it | | | | stick in the ground or the umbrella hole of a table. |
| will instantly shut itself off. | | | | This heater is perfect for camping or a late-night |
| Fuel Types | | | | trip to the beach. |
| Patio heaters are manufactured to run off one of | | | | How much heat? |
| three different fuel types: propane, natural gas, or | | | | The strength of a patio heater is rated in BTU's. |
| electricity. Natural gas is used for permanent, | | | | As an example, a 45,000 BTU heater will produce |
| stationary heaters. Propane, conveniently available | | | | a 20 foot heat diameter. Free-standing heaters |
| in tanks, allows a heater to be moved about. | | | | are generally more powerful than table-top |
| Infrared heaters are often powered by electricity, | | | | heaters, and so can be used for larger groups. |
| though some are run by natural gas. | | | | In conclusion . . . |
| Choosing Between Various Options | | | | Patio heaters are a welcome and useful addition |
| New types and sizes of patios heaters become | | | | to America's increasingly outdoor lifestyle. They |
| available regularly. As you look through the various | | | | safely and efficiently turn chilly nights into warm, |
| options below, consider your specific needs. Do | | | | comfortable evenings, perfect for you and your |
| you want a stationary heater, or a portable one? | | | | family to get together and relax. After all, relaxing |
| How much heat do you need considering the | | | | is one thing we just do not do enough these |
| people you will entertain? Asking yourself these | | | | days. |
| kinds of questions will guide you to the heater | | | | |