Helpful Tips When Choosing an Outdoor Patio Heater

Now that it is the middle of winter, how many times have you caught yourself daydreaming about a nice warm day and being able to spend an afternoon on the patio with some of your friends putting on a backyard BBQ? Although for most people this is just a dream, it doesn’t have to be for you if you install an outdoor patio heater. Having a patio heater keeps your patio area nice and warm and allows you to enjoy the outdoors regardless of how cold the temperatures may be.

If you are considering buying one of these heaters there are some things you should keep an eye out for. Here are some helpful tips that can help you enjoy a patio heater to its fullest:

�· Be sure your patio heater has an electric starter. Although most every outdoor heater is equipped with one today, there are still units that are not. An electric starter is not only much more convenient, but safer as well. You will not have to light the pilot or mess with fire.

�· Every outdoor patio heater should also come equipped with an emergency shut off. This is a very important safety feature that will shut down the heater in the event it is tipped over, or something gets spilled on it. Accidents can and do happen.

�· Outdoor patio heaters come in all sizes. You will need to decide if you want a heater that sits on the table, is mounted up on a wall, or is one of the larger stand alone models. Smaller heaters are much easier to move around, but larger models will give off much more heat. Depending on the size of your patio area you want to be sure you have a large enough unit to fill your needs. Generally speaking, a larger patio heater can heat an area of 25 feet in diameter, whereas a smaller unit will heat and area of approximately 10 feet in diameter.

�· You will have a choice in patio heater styles with many different colors and materials to choose from. You can find them in stainless steel, copper, black, white and many others as well.

�· You will also need to decide a heat source. Most are available in natural gas or propane, but you can also find electric models as well. Propane is a popular choice due to its ease in being able to move around with the unit.

�· Finally, be sure to add in a heater cover to protect your unit from the elements.

Now that you know what to look for you can find the perfect outdoor patio heater that suits your needs and will allow you to enjoy the outdoor patio in your yard for years in the future.