Most families enjoy sitting outdoors all through the year. Even those who live in apartments will love to place some chairs in their balcony and relax outdoors. Relaxing in the patio gives families time to bond and chat without the distraction of a television. It is also healthy to inhale fresh air rather than being cooped up indoors all the time. Now, while this maybe possible during spring and summer months, homeowners can enjoy the outdoors during winter or autumn months only with the help of heaters.

If you have only a small patio area and do not plan to entertain there, then warm clothes and a blanket could keep off the cold. However, those who have large patios and wish to entertain cannot do so without the help of some external heating. You cannot invite guests over for a barbeque during autumn or winter and then hand out blankets to keep warm. There are different types of patio heaters like:

– Fire pits
– Natural gas heaters
– Propane patio heaters
– Electric patio heaters

While a roaring fireplace is a traditional source of heat and will make a patio cozy and warm, there are many drawbacks. Cutting logs and stoking the fire is a continuous process. If the fire goes out suddenly, restarting it can be laborious. If there are strong winds, it can blow ash and sparks on to people and there are even hazards of house fires starting if these sparks fall on wood or some other flammable material. Gas and propane heaters are a good option but require constant checking to see when the fuel runs out and sometimes if the units are faulty, they can emit lethal gas that is dangerous if inhaled for long periods of time.

These days most homeowners go in for an electric patio heater for various reasons. An electric patio heater is a must to keep your outdoors comfy and cozy during cold weather. With the help of these convenient and easy to use devices, you can now entertain friends easily and everyone can enjoy the outdoors during the cold season too. Using an electric patio heater means that there is no prior preparation as with a log fire and no refilling of gas like the gas patio heaters. All that is needed is to buy the unit, make sure you have a proper electricity outlet where you wish to place the heater and that it is properly earthed.

Just plug in the unit and you can get any size of patio warmed extremely quickly. You do not have to constantly check the unit for it will automatically shut off when it reaches a certain temperature. What is more, since they do not need a gas pipeline connection or a fuel tank attached, they can be fixed even on the wall or ceiling. This not only ensures safety of homeowners and their kids but also generates more heat. A ceiling unit or wall unit can cover a greater area than a tabletop or stand-alone unit.

In fact, many commercial establishments like restaurants, cafes and pubs that have outdoor seating will use an electric patio heater mounted on the wall or roof to keep patrons warm. This will ensure a steady stream of customers to these establishments even during the cold season. The cost of the patio heater will vary depending on the size, area it warms and the model. Depending on the size of electric patio heater, the heat settings will also vary. From one to up to six heat settings are available.

A small size patio can be warmed quickly using an electric patio heater with three settings – high / medium / low. Larger patios may require a more sophisticated unit with higher settings to provide more efficient warmth. Whatever the size, electric patio heaters are very economical to operate for they do not consume much electricity and are environmentally friendly. Make sure the unit is kept clean at all times and that the vents are not clogged with dust and debris.

Always get professionals to install your patio heater. What is more, the same electric heater can be used for both indoor and outdoor heating. ‘Lasko’, ‘Cadet’, ‘Dimplex’ and ‘Honeywell’ are some of the better brands of electric heaters in the market. So, check online reviews, cost etc., and make your choice. Now, you can have comfy outdoors warmed by a good quality electric patio heater.

Author Bio: Article by Kenny Leichester of http://www.patioshoppers.com, a website with the best patio furniture information on the web.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: An Electric Patio Heater Is A Must To Keep Your Outdoors Comfy