March 19th, 2021 by Sarah Miles

This last year has been hard on everyone and most people are now poised ready to reclaim some of their freedoms this summer. However, caution is still wise and there are many conditions to meet before we can resume some sense of normality. All the evidence suggests that covid transmission rates are very low outdoors. Therefore, as we navigate our way out of this pandemic, socialising in gardens over the summer months seems like a really sensible way to see our family and friends while also continuing to remain safe.

We all know that we can’t always rely on the British summer weather, and even when it’s warm during the day, temperatures can drop in the evening. However, that doesn’t need to be a barrier to your get-togethers lasting long into the night – you just need the right equipment! That’s why a patio heater is an essential bit of kit for anyone who wants to create a wonderful social space outside this summer. But what should you look for? Here is our guide to buying a patio heater:

2KW Commercial Quartz Infra Red Heater, Satin Aluminium Finish

Price: £263.99

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Type of Heat

It’s useful to understand how outdoor heaters work as it’ll help you know what to look for. Without getting too technical, heaters can use infrared heat or convection heat. In simple terms, infrared heat is the same sort of heat emitted by the sun, or by fire. It’s emitted in rays, and these rays transfer heat to any solid object they hit. This is why, when you’re under an infrared heater, you’ll feel the heat instantly, but as soon as you move out of range, you’ll feel cold again.

Convection heat is the method we’re most familiar with indoors, where heaters such as radiators warm the air. The warm air rises then cools and falls, and circulates around the room as it does so.

As you might expect, convective heat doesn’t work very well outdoors. Infrared heat works very well outdoors because there are objects to warm but no walls to contain the heat that convection heat relies on. While you can get outdoor heaters that use either of these methods, infrared heaters are the most effective.

Power

Now we know what we’re looking for in terms of heat source, we can think about power output. Power for outdoor heaters is usually measured in terms of kilowatts (KW). 2KW is common but they can go higher. Obviously, the more powerful they are, the more infrared rays they can generate and the larger the area they can heat. A decent rule of thumb here is to buy the most powerful heater you can afford. Most models are adjustable so you can turn it down when evenings are balmier, but you still have the option of a powerful heater when it turns chilly. This can also mean that you can make use of your garden from early spring, right through to autumn, which really justifies any extra cost.

3KW MYLEK Remote Control Infrared Outdoor Garden Patio Heater

Price: £115.00

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Protection from the Elements

Being used outdoors demands protections that indoor heaters don’t necessarily need. Outdoor heaters have different IP ratings which determine the specific protections they have from things like water and dust. The main ones you need to know about are IP54 (dust and sprayed water), IP55 (dust and water jets), and IP65 (total protection). The higher the rating, the less you’ll have to keep an eye on the forecast, ready to drag the heater undercover! Plus, it will last longer because it’s more robust.

Wall Mounted or Freestanding

This speaks for itself really and it depends on how you’re likely to use your heater. If your seating area is fixed, or if you have limited space, a wall-mounted heater is great. If you want to be able to place the heater in different areas of the garden, then a freestanding one works well. Just remember you’ll need to have access to power for it.

Extra Features

Other things you may want to look out for include remote control (turn the heat up or down without having to get out of your seat - great for wall-mounted heaters), motion sensors for greater energy efficiency, or lights so that you can continue your soiree well into the night!