Commercial Patio Heaters
Patio heaters can extend your patio season well into the spring and fall months and keep customers around longer on chilly nights. There are several styles available to choose from, depending on the size and setup of your outdoor area. More
Restaurant Outdoor Heaters: What You Need to Know
Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops can use commercial patio heaters to offer guests a comfortable outdoor seating option in cool weather or prevent ice and snow accumulation in high-traffic areas during winter months. Unlike space heaters, patio heaters directly heat people and objects using infrared radiation, keeping guests warm in cold air. Cover your guests from above using a ceiling-mounted patio heater on cool evenings, or bring a portable patio heater out of storage when crisp fall weather kicks in and create a radius of warmth using built-in reflective shields.
Common Questions About Commercial Patio Heaters
How do infrared patio heaters work, and can I control the temperature?
Infrared heaters don't blow heat into the air; rather, they heat objects directly. A power source heats up an element – usually quartz glass – that emits heat, while an aluminum or stainless steel reflector directs the heat to cover a larger area. Because several factors affect heating capability, you won't be able to set your unit to a specific temperature, but you'll have the option to control heat output.
What temperatures can commercial patio heaters be used in?
Patio heaters are generally designed to provide guests comfort in cool but not freezing temperatures. Gas patio heaters may operate in a diminished capacity at temperatures less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should I buy a freestanding or mounted commercial patio heater?
Freestanding and ceiling- or wall-mounted patio heaters are available. Freestanding units, which often come in a pedestal or tower format, are ideal for operations that require portability and may be designed to heat large patio to a certain radius. Mounted units are usually long, rectangular, and suitable for snow and ice control or providing targeted spot heating to an individual table or area. Units may be mounted directly on walls or ceilings or hung from ceiling-mounted chains.
What power sources are available?
Restaurant outdoor heaters are powered by either electricity or gas. While electric heaters cost more to operate, there's more freedom in where and how they can be used.
- Propane (LP): Although propane burns more efficiently than natural gas, propane heaters are generally more expensive to operate. These heaters include space for a 20- or 30-pound tank inside the body, enabling freedom of movement on wheels.
- Natural gas (NG): Natural gas heaters cost less to operate than propane or electric patio heaters. They may be somewhat portable but need to be in range of a gas line. Some operations may find NG heaters more convenient than LP heaters since they don't require refilling fuel tanks. Natural gas heaters and propane heaters are not interchangeable.
- Electric: Electric patio heaters may plug into a wall outlet or be hardwired into an operation's electrical system. Electric heaters cost more to run but offer convenient installation and eliminate the need for propane tanks or a natural gas line. Users can also precisely control heat output. Unlike gas, electric heaters are likely to have an indoor ratio, giving users the option to use them in an enclosed or screened-in patio.
What major safety requirements are there?
Gas heaters pose a carbon monoxide threat when used indoors and aren't a viable option for enclosed patios. Both electric and gas patio heaters require clearance from combustible materials – usually at least 2 feet. Some heaters may specify clearance from walls and ceilings, as well.
How much space will a patio heater cover?
The heat output of gas-powered patio heaters is generally measured in BTUs per hour, usually referred to simply as BTUs, while electric heaters are commonly measured in watts. To compare the output of gas heaters to electric heaters, multiply the BTUs by 3.4. The area that a heater can cover is affected by output, the reflector's size and angle, and outside factors such as wind gusts and outdoor temperature. A 42,000-BTU propane heater can heat a diameter of 20 feet under the right conditions, and a 1,500-watt electric heater can warm the area around a table when mounted 7 feet above.