A garden, patio or backyard provides the most comfortable place to dine and entertain guests. However, the year-round weather is not conducive to such activities. Depending on the ambient temperature in their area, many people will choose a patio heater to maximize the enjoyment of their outdoor space. This will allow them to continue spending quality time with friends and family.

Electric patio heaters are a popular outdoor heating option for open outdoor rooms and enclosed spaces. Because they do not produce any heat through combustion, produce zero emissions and convert up to 98% of their energy into heat, electric outdoor patio heaters are an economical and environmentally effective way to heat your home. At present, there are many different sizes, styles and heat types available on the market. If you're not sure how to choose, these are some of the factors you need to consider before buying a patio heater. You can read them carefully so you can make an informed buying decision.

Type of installation
If you decide to purchase a modern electric patio heater, you will first need to select the type of installation you want. Generally speaking, there are three main types of electric patio heaters to install: freestanding, wall mounted and ceiling mounted. Freestanding electric patio heaters can be placed alone on the floor or on a table. Most models simply plug into a standard household outlet, making these heaters very easy to install and ready to use right out of the box. These are ultra-portable and perfect for outdoor dining settings. The overhead electric heater is suitable for people who are looking for a permanent installation solution. They don't take up any floor space and are very freestanding, and some models can even be recessed into the ceiling to preserve your decoration. These heaters also have multiple control options that give you complete control over the temperature and even connect them to your smart home. For areas such as workshops and garages where you need to keep your floor space tidy, hanging models as well as wall and ceiling mounted outdoor electric heaters are a great choice. Pool areas, patios and balconies offer greater placement flexibility for portable tabletop and stand-up outdoor electric heaters.

Heat coverage
Make sure your outdoor electric patio heater can adequately heat your space. A heater that is too small will make your guests feel cold and uncomfortable, and one that is too large will cause overheating. Therefore, you'll want to consider the heat you're looking for and the range of heat coverage. For electric heaters, heat output is measured in watts (W). To give you an idea of a rough calculation of watts, you would multiply the area (in square feet) by 10. For example, for a 20 foot by 20 foot room, we get 400 square feet, multiply that by 10 and we get 4000 watts. Usually, the larger size heater covers a larger square footage. Or if one heater won't do the job, consider adding multiple heaters spaced far enough apart to maximize heating coverage.

Type of heat
Another important consideration is the type of heat you want, infrared or halogen. Halogen heat is slightly more powerful and will produce a bright light. This type of electric garden heater uses short wave technology to produce high intensity heat over short distances. Since this type of infrared light covers shorter distances and has a higher heating capacity, it would be a good choice to use it as a patio heater for outdoor residential and commercial spaces. Infrared heating is also highly efficient, with the infrared heater providing mid-infrared waves and producing a slight glow that is barely noticeable, making it an ideal choice for outdoor heaters in bars and restaurants with outdoor facilities.

Safety
An important feature to consider in purchasing any patio heater is safety. Like all electrical devices, outdoor heaters come with certain risks. If you choose a freestanding electric patio heater, you must choose a heavy base that can withstand the bumpy power of a windy day. If it topples over when you turn it on, you will face a serious fire accident. The safety of your patio heater really depends on the user. If you read the manual carefully and proceed with caution, you will greatly reduce your chances of risk. As with any heating device, outdoor electric heaters should not be operated unsupervised and should be turned off any time you leave your home. Portable electric heaters get hot during operation, so keep them out of the reach of children.

If you want to continue entertaining and enjoying your garden longer during the colder months, then a patio heater is a good choice. With the above valid information, I believe you can easily find the matching outdoor electric patio heater for your needs, so you can still keep stargazing and partying on those cold autumn nights.