Outdoor Patio Heater Features and Maintenance
Maintain a warm and inviting ambiance after hours or late into the season with a patio heater. Follow these simple steps to keep your outdoor heater working properly and keep your home and family safe.
Keep the party going all night long If you've got an attractive and welcoming patio all set up and ready to go, keep it hopping after dark or late in the season with a patio heater. With some simple preventative maintenance and an eye towards finding an ideal set of features, you can create the perfect outdoor environment for friends and family.
Maintenance basics
- Clean the patio heater regularly. Use a degreasing solution to remove build-up from the outside. You can rinse the base with a hose, if necessary.
- Never let any matter build up near the burning element. Annual maintenance by a certified professional is recommended and should include removal of cobwebs and other debris that can obstruct the flow of fuel to the burning element, potentially creating a hazard. Call your gas company or propane supplier for details.
- Check for loose bolts, sharp edges, or any other external damage to the heater before you fire it up.
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Features to look for
- Since the unit will live outside, look for complete weatherproof construction (rust-proof, wind-proof, UV protected).
- Patio heaters come in various configurations, including ceiling-mounted, pole-mounted, or portable. Freestanding patio heaters can be moved to different areas outside your home as needed, or stored during warmer months.
- The radiant heat of a typical unit warms people and objects rather than air, reducing the cost of operation. A typical 50,000 BTU model can provide an umbrella of warmth up to 15 feet in diameter. Every heater should include information about how much heat it can generate and how far the heat will reach.
- Patio heaters can be fueled by natural gas or propane. Natural gas patio heaters, like all natural gas products, must be installed in accordance with local safety ordinances.
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