Outdoor heating is a pretty cool way to keep yourself and probably your family warm in those chilly evenings. Who doesn’t love to sit near a burning fire and discuss everything that had happened during the day? In winter periods, it can be difficult to stay outside and enjoy mother nature, but with outdoor heaters, you can spend more evenings without feeling the cold. In as much as these evenings can be entertaining, they can also be relaxing, clearing your mind off the things that are obstructing it.
Outdoor heating is broad, and as a beginner, you might likely not know how to set up one in your living space. This is where this guide comes in. Here, you will learn why people install outdoor heaters, the benefits of outdoor heating, different types of outdoor heaters with their pros and cons, and safety tips.
Why People Invest In Outdoor Heaters
The weather is not always constant. At one point, you will have to witness the winter season. This incredibly cold period can keep you from enjoying your evenings, night parties, and those friendly discussions. With some outdoor heaters, you don’t have to miss out on any regular activity you do on those summer nights. A burning fire brings people together and provides some outdoor entertainment most excitingly.
Benefits of Outdoor Heating
Typically, homeowners install outdoor heaters in their outdoor living spaces to keep the place warm. However, some homeowners install them to improve the overall aesthetics and home value. Others also install them for grilling purposes. Some heaters allow cooking, so you can roast your chicken and make barbecues for your friends. I’m sure this is something you want to do all the time.
In addition, outdoor heaters, especially fire pits promote social gatherings. Nothing promotes a social gathering and creates that perfect atmosphere for parties like open fire pits. Naturally, human beings are drawn to fire, so it isn’t surprising to have this hypnotic effect.
Types of Outdoor Heaters
Outdoor heaters are of four major types – outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, fire pits, and chimineas.
Outdoor Fireplaces
Outdoor fireplaces are freestanding structures that are constructed and installed in the backyard. Materials used to construct fireplaces are non-combustible, which includes stones, concrete, rock, etc. Outdoor fireplaces use mostly wood, but some use gas as their power source. This type of heater adds beauty to your living space, complementing your backyard’s design.
These days, outdoor fireplaces are built with added features like a wine cooler, making it even more interesting to add to your space. If well constructed, you will save lots of costs. If you want to go for an outdoor fireplace, you need to plan more carefully to actualize the befitting design.
Patio Heaters
Patio heaters are popular heating products that will keep your home warmed up for as long as you want. They come in freestanding, tabletop, and wall and ceiling-mounted designs. The good thing about patio heaters is you get to choose between the gas or electric type. The difference between these patio heaters is mainly their power source.
Electric patio heaters are cost-effective and quite an efficient way to heat your living space. Because it uses electricity, the heater is readily available for use. You don’t need to worry about running out of gas or wood. In addition, they are toxic-free because of the infrared radiation. The heat is minimally affected by wind.
Besides, they are energy-efficient and you can install them anywhere. This is a good option if you are in a compact space. However, they require a PowerPoint and installation needs to be carried out by an expert.
Their propane counterparts are also cost-effective. They warm the vicinity better than electric heaters due to the quantity of heat they generate. They also provide clean heat energy and you can switch them on and off immediately. However, they are not that portable, making them a little cumbersome to push around. In addition, they use LPG tanks that require regular filling. If the gas is low or finished, it won’t function.
Fire Pits
Fire pits are one of the most convenient tools for heating. It is the earliest method of keeping warm in cold weather. A group of people that felt cold will gather some dry woods and lay them on a flat surface or put them in something hollow. Then, they light the woods up. Now, fire pits are better constructed due to the advent of technology. Some use them for roasting marshmallows and other edibles.
Fire pits come in different designs. There’s the backyard fire pit, fire pit table, and portable propane fire pit. Backyard fire pits are similar to outdoor fireplaces. Some models use propane while others use wood. People prefer propane fire pits because they are smokeless and are less hazardous compared to the wood types. Nevertheless, there are still some people out there that prefer wood-burning fire pits to gas or propane.
That’s because people love the flickering flames and the crackling sound from wood-burning fire pits. There’s a real sense of comfort from wood fires. Plus, wood-burning pits generate more heat than other types of outdoor heaters.
Firepit tables or tabletop fire pits are more luxurious than the traditional fire pits and versatile. You can convert the table to a seat in your sitting area when not used as a heater. Its multipurpose nature is the main reason most homeowners purchase the heater.
Portable propane fire pits are smaller than backyard fire pits. As the name suggests, they use propane as their fuel source. Propane fire pits don’t only act as a heater, but you can also cook on them. Although it’s not advisable to cook on them.
The downside of wood-burning pits is the smoke from the wood can cause respiratory problems and discomfort to the eyes. The flying embers can also burn flammable furniture around the pit unless you use a spark screen.
Chimineas
Chimineas are ideal for small yards or patios. They have chimneys that direct smoke away from the vicinity through the neck. Materials like clay, copper, cast iron, stainless steel, and cast aluminum are used in making a chiminea.
Clay was the initial material used in making chimineas. However, manufacturers stopped using it because the material didn’t hold up well in certain weather conditions. Copper too is no longer as frequently used as before because it isn’t strong and requires maintenance. However, copper chimineas are a beauty to behold, as it’s appearance can make your living space valorous.
Cast iron and stainless steel are more robust than clay and copper and can withstand tough conditions. They will last for a long period. However, cast iron is heavy and not easy to move around. If you must use cast iron chiminea, you must be sure that the place you will install it is permanent. Cast aluminum is the most popular material manufacturers use in making chimineas, although it’s costlier than other types. However, cast aluminum chimineas are built to last, and they come in exceptional designs that will suit your backyard space. They are convenient to maintain and you can move them about more easily.
Chimineas are more relaxing and safer than open fire pits, but they are expensive to install especially the cast aluminum types. However, fire pits are customizable, so you can build them according to your taste.
Fuel Source
As briefly discussed, outdoor heaters use different fuel sources, like wood, propane, and electricity. With these many options, it can be difficult for one to make the right choice. Let’s look at each type to have an idea of the best one to opt for.
Propane
Propane or Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a non-toxic fuel that arrives in cans. Sometimes, heaters that run on propane are called gas propane, but they are quite different from those that run on natural gas.
The advantage of using propane heaters is the units are movable because the canisters are not fixed permanently. You can turn them off and on as you want, and you don’t need to clean them up.
Propane tanks have downsides. The tanks require refilling. The burners need to be cleaned regularly, and they don’t operate efficiently below 40°C. Cost-wise, filling an LPG tank is between expensive and cheap.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is formed from decomposed organic materials. Natural gas is run through underground pipes to residential homes. This fuel type is mostly used in standing, tabletop, and wall-mounted infrared models.
Although not as prevalent as propane, it is cheaper. Like propane, there are no smokes or odor, and the clean-up is minimal. The downside of natural gas is not all heaters run them, so supply is limited. Plus, natural gas heaters are not movable once installed. It’s also tedious installing the gas pipeline to homes, and you need a professional for that.
Wood
Dry or seasoned woods are best for fire pits. If you want to hear those crackling sounds, your best bet is to use wood as fuel. You can also use wood for heating and cooking. Plus, it’s more affordable than other fuels. The reasons some people don’t use wood-burning pits are because of the time expended in making them heat up. The smoke is hazardous, especially if it’s in a close space. Plus, the embers can destroy your pieces of furniture if not careful. Read on to find out how to prevent flying embers from damaging your furniture.
Charcoal is another affordable fuel. Like wood, it’s reasonably priced, and you can use it for barbecuing. However, it takes time to hear up, and clean-up is required because of the ashes. In addition, it doesn’t burn for a long time, unless you add plenty of coal.
Infrared
Infrared isn’t a type of fuel, but the heat that’s generated and transmitted. Infrared heat is produced at a constant temperature, unlike wood that dies down when the coal turns to ashes. Heaters that radiate infrared produce enough BTUs that convert the fuel to electromagnetic radiation. The fuel could be gas, natural gas, or electric. Infrared heaters create heat instantly and evenly, produce no odor, and require no cleanup.
The downside of infrared heaters is that they are not movable. They also need to be mounted on a wall. The heat generated doesn’t warm the air; it warms the people within a particular range.
Safety Tips
All outdoor heaters pose some risks. Even the most constructed and stylish ones will cause you some issues if you don’t handle them well or put some safety measures in place. So, before installing any type of outdoor heater, you have to put some measures in place. Let’s start with fire pits.
Fire Pits
First, consult with your city’s regulatory body to confirm if you can install fire pits in your area of jurisdiction. If you are given the go-ahead, ensure you build it some meters away from the building and falling tree branches. They should be kept at least 10 ft. away.
Children love fires and would do anything to be around them. You have to protect them from becoming victims. Build a kind of barrier around the fire to ensure their safety. They shouldn’t also get near it unsupervised. If you are concerned about their health and that of others, consider installing propane or electric heater.
In some scenarios, one can forget to put out the fire properly, especially when using fire pits. Always have a fire extinguisher on standby in case any fire outbreak ensues.
Discussing near the fire is a pretty entertaining thing, but avoid flammable upholstered chairs. The embers can fall on them and might ignite a fire. Instead, use non-flammable upholstery, like metals. This way, the embers won’t affect them, even there’s contact. If you are adamant about using flammable upholstery, you should place the seats away from the fire pit. Another solution to the embers is to use a fire pit screen.
Ventilation is another key factor to consider when installing a fire pit. If the fire pit is in a gazebo, the area must be ventilated to allow the smoke to disperse appropriately.
Patio Heaters
Most patio heaters are designed with consumers’ safety in mind. However, you must learn how to use them safely to prevent fire hazards.
First, you must learn how to place them. Patio heaters aren’t made to heat over long distances. If your heater is far from the seating area, you may not receive an optimal result. If they are too close to flammable materials, a fire outbreak could ensue. Therefore, you need to keep patio heaters away from flammable materials. Never place anything on or below the heater, and you shouldn’t place the heater directly on the grass. Place it on something flat and solid. The recommended distance should be 10 ft. Buy, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions to know the ideal placement method of your patio heater.
The surrounding must be adequately ventilated. Patio heaters are used in outdoor areas – open and semi-open spaces. If such an area is enclosed or tight, carbon poisoning could occur from the combustion. Therefore, air circulation is necessary to avoid CO buildup. Remove anything that will obstruct the airflow in the living space.
As you know, patio heaters use two major fuel types that have benefits and downsides. Gas is combustible, so you should be careful when handling the tanks. Always check for possible leaks to avoid explosion by applying soapy water to the tank and observing for air bubbles. If you plan on purchasing a patio heater that runs on natural gas, make sure a professional install the gas line.
While patio portable heaters allow you to move them from place to place, you should never move the patio while the flame is still open. Doing this can affect the flow of gas, and you risk damaging the valves or gas leaks. In addition, you shouldn’t attempt to move the heater on your own, even though some are built ergonomically for portability. Moving portable patio heaters requires technique.
Conclusion
Installing outdoor heaters has become a convenient way for people to stay warmed up without stress. Choosing your ideal heater comes down to your personal choice, local regulations, and the people around you. Electric and propane patio heaters provide the cleanest heat energy, and the most efficient way to stay warm. Fire pits, especially the wood-burning pits have been around for years, and are still some people’s favorite. However, if you or any member of your family has lung issues, it would be best to avoid them.