Patio heaters are rapidly becoming one of the "must haves".

Indeed patio heaters are great for cool nights during fall and winter. Normally, the patio heaters can warm up the 10 to 15 foot radius by ten to fifteen degrees.

Patio heaters are powered by either natural gas, electricity, or liquid propane. Although propane is by far the most expensive of the 3 types, it also lets you move the heater around without a cord or gas line attached.

Patio heaters aren't affected by wind, though wind chill can still affect people in its path. There are no tanks to refill and no air pollution. Wall-hung patio heaters are also safest for kids and pets. However, the main drawbacks are the extra light and orange glow they cast, and the possible need to buy more than one heater to provide enough warmth for your space.

Choosing A Heater

When choosing a patio heater, it is best to survey the area where your heater will be placed. Will you want to mount it on a wall, keep it at the center of a table, or move it depending on the occasion?

The place or kind of space where your heater will be located will greatly affect the kind of heater you will decide to get.

Gas (LPG) patio heaters running at a maximum heat of 13KW cost around 8p per KW. This cost is obviously reduced when the heater is turned down a notch. Gas patio heaters have greater transportability than their electricity-fuelled cousins. Electric heaters can warm efficiently smaller areas of 10-25 feet.

Types Of Heaters

They are freestanding, the mobile, the table top, the open pit, and the wall mounted heaters. They all have their pros and cons depending on its usage. A freestanding heater will be easy to move and will be a plus if you are decorating.

Open pit heaters will give you that feeling of being up in the mountains. The most elegant patio heater is the wall mounted heater as they have a luxurious appeal.

Patio heaters are typically a little more expensive, and put out more bus of heat. Expect to pay $150-$450 for a patio heater.