Why do people love to entertain and host parties outdoors? If you ask this question of a dozen people their answers for the most part would likely focus on how much easier it is to have a party outside rather than indoors. There is less mess to clean up, it’s less crowded, and you can invite more guests than you would be able to if the party was inside. But if you plan to host a party in the evening, it could be quite chilly and uncomfortable to entertain outdoors. Electric patio heaters, though, can warm things up for you and your guests.

There are several different types of patio heaters. You can choose from freestanding heaters, mobile heaters, in ground, tabletop heatersor ceiling and wall mounted heaters. The type of heater you choose will primarily depend on your space, heating needs and budget. By far the least expensive of these options are the table top heaters. Mobile heaters are also less expensive than the other options.

The most expensive type of electric heater used to be the wall and ceiling mounted heater. Averaging at about $1,000, these heaters were best chosen if you used the outdoor space for entertaining often or if you use it commercially. However, prices have dropped dramatically and you can now find these types of heaters at realistic costs. So if a wall-mounted heater will work best for your space as far as placement and heat distribution are concerned,  then you will certainly be able to pick one up that suits your budget..

If you like to move or rearrange your outdoor entertainment area, it might be best to stick with more mobile options such as the table-top heater or freestanding heater. Both of these heaters put out a great deal of heat and can be easily moved to where the warmth is needed most.

As you can see, there are many outdoor electric heating choices and really no reason for you to continue bringing the party indoors on chilly nights. With an electric outdoor patio heater you can entertain outdoors comfortably well into the cooler months

For many years, an Endless Summer outdoor heater was the mark of a high-end commercial establishment.  These powerful and attractive patio heaters allowed businesses such as restaurants to keep their popular outdoor seating areas open far later into the season.

Today, however, you don’t have to be a large company to enjoy safe and powerful year-round heating for your backyard or patio.  Uniflame is offering a line of affordable Endless Summer heaters designed for the private residence.  Available online or from mass marketers such as WalMart and Sam’s Club, these handsome outdoor heaters often cost less than $200.

For that small investment, you can totally transform the usefulness of your outdoor living space.  An Endless Summer heater can raise the ambient temperature by up to 30°F in a 20-foot radius around itself.  That means you can enjoy balmy temperatures in the 70’s, even when the air outside your circle of warmth is barely above freezing.  Enjoy barbeques, fresh air, companionable chats, and the relaxation of sipping a drink on your back porch, all year round.

With fuel prices rising every year, you will be glad to hear that Endless Summer heaters are highly economical.  They utilize an efficient liquid propane tank, which means that your electricity bills won’t rise, and you won’t have to worry about running an extension cord out to your patio.  At the same time, liquid propane means that you won’t have to worry about keeping firewood on hand, or the smoke disturbing your neighbors.

Of course, safety is always an issue with any kind of outdoor heater.  That is why Endless Summer models come equipped with an automatic shut-off feature.  If your heater is in danger of falling, it will turn itself off to prevent a fire hazard.

If enjoying your patio all year round sounds like a dream come true, a safe and powerful Endless Summer heater is an excellent choice.  View our excellent selection to find the right model for your outdoor living space today.

Café culture and outdoor restaurant dining has recently boomed in popularity.  Many people are taking these ideas home with them and creating their own outdoor dining areas.  The propane patio heater, so commonly used now in city cafes, plays a large part in creating that ambience.

The increase in popularity has meant that outdoor patio heaters are now more affordable than ever.  The most popular type is fuelled by a tank of propane gas and is versatile and reasonably priced.  These are called ‘mushroom’ or ‘umbrella’ heaters because that is what they resemble.

Rays of heat radiate from the ‘mushroom’ top and can warm an area of 12 – 20 feet in diameter, depending on the model that you buy.  The bigger the ‘mushroom’, the bigger the area it heats!

Are they expensive to run?

No – they’re quite economical.  Depending on the level of heat output that you select, a standard tank of propane will last for between ten and twelve hours – long enough for most outdoor parties!

Most models house the gas tank in the base of the unit – so it’s out of sight and also gives the heater a low center of gravity which helps to prevent it tipping over.  This is a necessity as many models are around eight feet tall!

It’s advisable to keep a spare tank as nothing is more annoying than running out of gas just before the guests arrive!

To take the guesswork out of it, it’s worth buying a ‘gas level indicator’.  This is a very inexpensive small unit that fixes magnetically to the side of the tank.  When the gas is running low, crystals in the unit change color.

If you have nowhere to house a spare tank and don’t like the thought of it decorating your outdoor space, it is possible to buy slip-on tank covers or you may consider having an outdoor cupboard built against the wall.

How moving!

Many people prefer these heaters because they are portable so you can position them wherever you like.  Just make sure that they are on level ground.

Most models now feature wheels, discretely hidden in the base, for maneuverability.  When not is use, it is easy to store them in a garage or shed to protect them from the weather.  Salt air is particularly bad as it can cause the metal housing to erode.

Storage also helps to prevent the common problem of bugs setting up home in the burner orifices.   Check the orifices regularly to prevent annoying blockages.  If no storage is available, waterproof, slip-on covers are easily obtainable.

The heaters are available in stainless steel and now in other colors and finishes too.  As their popularity grows, so more styles are becoming available.  It pays to shop around until you find what you want.  Once you have chosen a model, check out different suppliers for the best price.

If you’re still undecided, don’t forget that as these heaters are portable, they can also be used to heat

Many people are now discovering that patio heaters are an affordable way of outdoor heating to make the most of an outdoor space.  Trying to choose the right model to suit your needs can be confusing.

One of the decisions to make is how you want it to run.  Gas patio heaters are usually cheaper than electrical ones and this makes them a popular choice.

If you decide that gas if for you, then you have the choice of buying a heater that runs from a propane gas canister or one that runs on natural gas and can be hooked up to your household gas supply.  Both have their pros and cons.

Hook up or bottle?

Natural gas is cheaper than propane and it burns much more cleanly.  So, it’ll save you money and be better for the environment.  However, putting in a gas line to your patio is a job for a certified contractor.

Ask your gas company for a list of properly credited contractors who could do this – and then get several quotes before choosing someone.  The job shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.  Make sure that you ask the fitter to fix up a ‘quick connect’ hook up for you and ask him to fit one with a cover that drops down.  This will protect it from the weather and nesting bugs!  Once it’s fitted, you will be able to quickly and easily connect your heater to the house supply.

It also means that in the unlikely event of the patio heater catching fire, you can turn off the gas supply at the ‘quick connect’ point without having to go near the heater itself.  You can also disconnect it for storage elsewhere when it’s not in use.

Having a patio heater that you can hook up means that you never need worry about the gas running out and getting caught without a spare!  It also solves the problem of where to store spare bottles of gas as there aren’t any!  But it does mean that you will be limited as to where you can position your heater.  The maximum length allowed for a hook up hose is 12 feet.

If you don’t have a home gas supply or you don’t want the cost and hassle of having a gas line run to your patio then a propane gas bottle version would suit you better.  It would also give you the choice of having your heater in different positions and means that you could use it to heat the garage or a workshop.

The bottle that runs the unit usually sits in the base and is not seen.  Don’t forget that you will probably want to buy a spare tank.  If you have nowhere to store it, you may wish to buy a cover for it or have a ‘bottle cupboard’ built against the wall.

Whichever gas you choose, your Patio heater will give you pleasure for many years and will take your outdoor entertaining experience to a new level!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could experience the warmth of summer all year round. That way we could make full use of our patio areas for outdoor living.

People love to entertain outdoors. Many times, the only reason that a party ends up being moved inside or to another location is that it just gets downright chilly after the sun goes down.

By adding a patio heater to the outdoor living area means you can spend more time outdoors having barbecues or just sitting around sipping wine and chatting with family and friends.

Versatile patio heaters allow you to make full use of your outdoor area in winter. Most patio heaters resemble tall, slender poles with a conical-shaped head that disperses heat over a circular area. Depending on the model you purchase, this area can be quite large.

In fact, many heaters can heat up to a 20 foot diameter. As you can imagine, the use of several of these patio heaters in your outdoor seating or entertainment area can keep your space quite warm.

Outdoor heaters are available in a wide range of styles and can be chosen to compliment your home and individual decorating style. Many are stainless steel but you can choose from designer options such as Antique Copper.

Patio Heaters: Gas, Propane and Infrared

Patio heaters utilize fuel, either propane or natural gas, to create heat. This is an advantage for many people over wood-burning options because there is no fire to start or tend and the warmth radiates almost immediately after turning the heater on.

Patio heaters are also ideal for wooden patios or areas very near the home where risk of fire might be a worry. And the fan-forced heat of a patio heater will allow your guests to roam about instead of keeping them huddling around a central fire.

Depending on how large of an area you want to heat, patio heaters can be a little expensive. One of these can cost you anywhere from just under $200 to $800 or more depending on the model. If you want to heat a large space, you can see how the cost to add enough patio heaters to do the job could cost you quite a bit.

But when it comes to providing radiant warmth over your entire outdoor space, strategically positioned patio heaters could be your best bet.