Patio Heaters

Patio heater buyer's guide

James Dulley, a columnist who writes about home-improvement products, sells a general report about patio heaters for about $3 but does not rank products or provide criticism. Nonetheless, he says on his website Dulley.com that "heating an entire patio or deck is not a good use of our limited energy supplies and it adds to greenhouse gas and air pollution problems. Try to get by with jackets and sweaters and only use auxiliary heat as a last resort. Adding a windbreak wall or fence will often help tremendously."

The notion of "heating the outdoors" is far more controversial in Europe than it is in the United States. Under pressure from environmentalists, several major British retailers agreed in early 2008 to stop selling patio heaters once current stocks sell out. The European Commission is asking for a ban on these devices because of carbon dioxide output that some say exceeds that of an average automobile.

There have not been many reports of fire hazards from patio heaters, which are generally safer on wood decks than wood-burning devices such as a fire pit or chiminea. In 2005, Coleman recalled about 6,200 model 5040 patio heaters (one of the models tested by Consumer Reports) because of faulty regulators that resulted in propane leaks. But usually patio heaters are considered safe as long as owners follow basic safety guidelines, such as keeping combustibles at a proper distance (see manufacturer's specifications) and supervising children while the device is in use. Generally there should be two to three feet of clearance around the heater, depending on its power. Almost all patio heaters turn off automatically when they are knocked over or even tilted more than 15 to 18 degrees. Most models turn off the flow of gas if the burner stops burning. Some models include sensors that turn off the heaters if there is not enough oxygen in the immediate area. Some electric infrared heaters are designed for either indoor or outdoor use, but gas-powered heaters should only be used outdoors.

Power costs will be far lower on models that hook up to natural gas or electrical lines (and of course you won't run out of fuel), but propane models are more portable – you can bring the heater with you if you go camping or tailgating, and on tabletop models you can often choose between a one-pound disposable propane tank or a more cost-effective 20-pound tank.

Heat is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), although manufacturers of electric infrared heaters usually communicate in terms of how many watts you'll need to heat a specific area. A good propane-burning tabletop model, which is meant to warm those sitting around the table, will have 10,000 to 20,000 BTU. A good freestanding patio heater will have 35,000 to 40,000 BTU, and it is possible to buy them a little more powerful than that. These freestanding patio heaters won't heat anything more than about ten feet away.

Radiant heat works like sunshine (minus the ultraviolet rays), warming not the air but objects in the path of its waves, which then store heat and radiate it back. How much heat the objects in the path of the infrared rays will absorb varies depending on its molecular makeup and its proximity to the source (in this case a patio heater) Attempting to heat an outdoor space by blowing heated air around, the way the convective heater in your automobile operates, would not be very effective or efficient outdoors because the heat would quickly rise above the party and dissipate. That's not a problem with radiant energy because it does not depend on air as its conduit.

Because freestanding patio heaters can only heat individuals within about a ten-foot radius, you'll need more than one heater for a larger space or an outdoor party. A retailer who specializes in selling patio heaters can help you design the placement according to your needs.

Upright heaters – those that are not mounted on walls or ceilings or under patio umbrellas – are topped by metallic "mushroom" domes that are considerably larger in circumference than the burner below it, and the dome, known as the reflector, radiates the heat downward and outward. These freestanding patio heaters usually are seven to eight feet tall, and the size of the dome has a great deal to do with how far the radiant heat will reach and how effectively.

Propane patio heaters

Endless Summer tabletop models generally rank as the best-selling tabletop models on the major websites that specialize in selling patio heaters. The Uniflame Endless Summer 92000 (*est. $110) , also sometimes listed under the name Blue Rhino, has a stainless-steel construction (as opposed to aluminum in some cheap tabletops) and runs on propane (either one-pound or 20-pound tanks) and emits up to 11,000 BTU. In optimal conditions it can radiate heat in an eight-foot circle. This model has pushbutton ignition and the usual safety features, plus an oxygen-depletion sensor.

Compared with most competing models, there is a good body of customer reviews for the Endless Summer tabletop heater. Owners posting reviews to Walmart.com are happy with it. Complaints center on the Endless Summer 92000 not working well in cold or windy weather, but that seems to be common to all patio heaters, especially smaller tabletop models. There is a two-year warranty, which is above average in this price range. Consumer Reports didn't test this particular model, but editors did evaluate an older version, saying it works as advertised.

The online retailer PatioExperts.com offers brief reviews of some of the patio heaters it sells and has nothing negative and nothing especially illuminating to say about the Endless Summer 92000, but does temper its praise of the similar Patio Comfort PC-TT (*est. $140), saying that changing the one-pound propane tanks is more difficult than it should be.

Freestanding patio heaters have a cylindrical base (which hides the 20-pound liquid propane tank), and the heating unit is mounted atop a pole. The 20-pound propane tank should last for about 12 hours of use. These are taller and more powerful than tabletop patio heaters and thus throw off radiant heat much farther, at least in good weather.

If you don't plan to use a freestanding patio heater everyday, consumer models are easy to find in the $150 to $250 price range. Differences are mainly in styling. Plain black-painted units are cheaper while nicer-looking stainless steel or copper models cost more. The mechanics are similar.

Examples in this price range include the Uniflame Endless Summer 153100U (*est. $175) , sold at Walmart.com and at a few other stores. The Primeglo Black Hammered Patio Heater (*est. $175) is almost identical and is sold at Amazon.com and Target. We did see a few reviews for these models. The main complaint is that assembly is tricky, and that the assembled unit doesn't feel terribly sturdy. Most say it heats well within limits. These no-frills patio heaters are very plain looking, with no wheels (for mobility), and at 75 to 100 pounds, they aren't easy to move. Both are 40,000 BTU heaters that use a 20-pound propane tank.

More expensive patio heaters sold at big-box home improvement stores and discount stores usually have a nicer-looking design. Finishes in gunmetal, stainless steel and copper cost more but might look nicer. Prices range from $250 to $400 in general. But heating capacity is the same as cheaper units -- about 40,000 BTU. Regarding these inexpensive models, we did see some complaints that they are not weather resistant, and some report rusting metal after a season of being exposed to the elements.

If you spend more, you can opt for a more commercial-grade patio heater designed for more continual use. On the specialty retail websites, the Homestead Liquid Propane Patio Heater (*est. $580) is being pushed as being well-constructed and repairable with spare parts (rather than having to buy a new heater). This model has an output of 40,000 BTU, heating outward to ten feet, depending on weather conditions. This heater weighs 90 pounds and is unlikely to blow over. It's unusually tall at 111 inches, has pushbutton ignition and the usual safety features, but no oxygen-depletion sensor. This pricey unit still doesn't have wheels, however, and it has just one heat setting, so it's not very different from inexpensive patio heaters features-wise. The warranty is good – two years for residential use and one year for commercial use.

Patio-Heater-Superstore.com says the Homestead Liquid Propane Patio Heater is "the favorite heater of rental companies" because of its durability and the replaceable parts.

A bit less expensive is the Patio Comfort Infrared Outdoor Patio Heater (*est. $400) . This model is 21 inches shorter and 26 pounds lighter than the Homestead, and it has a one-year warranty for residential use compared with the Homestead's two years. However, it offers a few advantages over the Homestead. It has wheels, it throws off more BTU (43,500, heating up to an 18-foot radius) and boasts high, medium and low settings where the Homestead has just one setting. The retailer site PatioExperts.com notes that the Patio Comfort has the same design and engineering as more expensive Sunglo heaters that are made in China. This model comes in stainless steel, silver, antique bronze or white finishes.

Natural gas patio heaters

Natural gas heaters require a natural gas connection and a hookup by someone qualified to do the work. Once installed, they remain in their place. The advantage over propane is that you don't run out of fuel and there's no tank to change.

Retailers don't claim that the Endless Summer 233010 (*est. $425) is state of the art, but it is commercial-grade. Patio Heater Superstore says it's the least expensive such heater on the market. The Endless Summer 233010 throws off 40,000 BTU (maximum range of 20 feet), and at 90 inches tall and 129 pounds, you won't be moving it, but the weight indicates it's hefty enough to stand up to wind. There are the usual safety features, but the warranty is just one year.

Patio Heater Superstore calls the Endless Summer 233010 "entry level" for a natural gas heater but adds it's "built for long-term use; its commercial-grade stainless steel construction is great for even windy or coastal climates." However, we think that's a dubious claim, since other reviewers stress that no patio heater works very well in the wind.

If you're looking for higher quality and don't mind spending more than twice as much, PatioExperts.com, another retailer, recommends the Sunglo PSA265B (*est. $775) as "the favorite with restaurants, country clubs and resorts. Research shows this the best permanent-mount heater in the industry." We could verify these claims. This patio heater is intended for permanent installation.

The Sunglo PSA265B has a rating of 50,000 BTU (20-foot maximum effectiveness). There are some interesting options. You can opt to have the heater wired to a switch so you can turn it on and off just like lighting. Also, you can opt to have this model capable of automatically relighting itself if blown out by the wind, but PatioExperts.com notes that you wouldn't want to choose this option if you are in an unprotected space in a very windy climate – you wouldn't want the heater continually shutting down and restarting in high wind; you'd be better off restarting it when you believe the wind has subsided. There is a one-year warranty.

Wall- or ceiling-mounted patio heaters

The advantage of having natural gas or electric radiant heat from above is that you don't waste floor space with a heater and the necessary two to three feet of clearance around it. That's more important in commercial use in which a restaurant or tavern would like to squeeze in some more patrons, but homeowners also sometimes like to have the heater out of the way for space reasons but also to have the hot elements out of the reach of children.

The Easy Radiant Hanging Patio Heater (*est. $700) outputs 50,000 BTU, heats up to a 20-foot radius and must be hooked up to a natural-gas line by a qualified installer. There is a three-year warranty. The Easy Radiant heater is meant to hang from a ceiling or beam, at least seven feet above the ground, so you'll likely need a beam that's at least 10 feet high from which to suspend the heater. We didn't find any user review for this model.

A more expensive, primarily commercial option is the Sunpak S34 (*est. $1,150) , which the retailer PatioExperts.com says is "the most common heater seen in restaurants and commercial applications." It needs both a natural gas and electric hookup, although the manufacturer can provide a propane-burning version upon request. The 34,000-BTU unit should be mounted 9.5 to 12 feet above the floor and it will heat about a ten-foot by ten-foot area. It carries a one-year warranty.

The Tansun Algarve Quartz (*est. $350) is an electric heater that can be used indoors or outdoors and is considered entry-level commercial. It is 1,200 watts (the equivalent of about 14,000 BTU). The Algarve Quartz can heat a ten-foot by ten-foot area in ideal conditions and should be mounted about eight feet off the ground. This heater plugs into a standard electric outlet (some electric radiant heaters need to be hardwired). The lamp has an expected life of about 1,100 hours. There is a one-year warranty. The advantages of electric heaters include no soot and no possibility of blowing out in strong wind; however, strong winds add to the chill factor and at some point no outdoor heater will make the climate tolerable.

Important Features: Patio Heaters

The kind of device you'll want really depends on your needs: how large of an area you wish to heat and how much, and what type of power you want to use and portability, if any.

• Power source. You can get patio heaters that are powered by propane, natural gas or electricity. Propane will be the most expensive fuel, but it is portable. The price advantage between natural gas and electricity can vary from year to year and by locale. For a natural gas heater, you'll need a natural gas line installed by someone qualified to do that work. Some electric heaters can plug into an electric outlet, but some need to be directly wired. Again, that job needs to be handled by someone with expertise.

• Heat capacity. Tabletop models meant to heat a small area usually have a maximum of 20,000 BTU. The standup heaters that are seven or eight feet tall can heat up to a 20-foot radius (though most say ten feet is more realistic) and usually have a maximum output of 40,000 BTU. Manufacturers and retailers of electric heaters usually detail capacity in terms of watts. While manufacturers say a patio heater can warm an area by, say, 20 degrees, that would be in optimal conditions and only when you are close to the heater.

• Reflector size. The size of the dome-like reflector atop gas patio heaters is proportional to the area it will heat – the larger the reflector, the farther it will radiate. While retail websites give the size of the reflector, they also give a range of heating distances that tells you what you need to know without having to worry about translating dome size to heating area.

• Safety features. Just about all patio heaters have an automatic burner shutoff if the heater is tilted more than slightly, and most good patio heaters also will automatically shut off the flow of gas if the burner goes out. Some gas heaters also have an oxygen-depletion sensor that will shut off the heater if it detects a lack of oxygen in the immediate area. This is important if you are restricting airflow, such as having walls to block the wind.

• Finish. Stainless steel will be more expensive than powder-coated aluminum but will last longer. Buying a cover or upgraded cover will protect the heater when not in use and also may prevent insects from building a nest in the heater.

• Ignition. Most good patio heaters have a pushbutton Piezo electric igniter, which is safer and easier than lighting gas with a match.

• Warranty. An average residential patio heater will have a one-year warranty, but some models have a two-year warranty and in rare cases even more. Generally on the same model, the length of the warranty will be shorter if you are using the heater in a commercial situation.

Commercial-grade patio heaters obviously are built to withstand more constant use than a residential model and usually cost more. If you are going to be using the heater for many hours each day, you might want to consider a commercial heater.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
2	Endless Summer Tabletop Heater (*est. $110)	details
1 each	Endless Summer freestanding patio heaters, Homestead LP heater

We found no good comparison reviews of patio heaters, and only a handful of owner-written reviews for these models. For this reason, the models included in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers should be considered as representative models in their type.

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