With a multitude of choices available for restaurateurs to heat their terraces, we dedicate this article to untangling those choices and finding which patio heater is best suited for each terrace. With this article we’ve tried to create a comprehensive guide to buying the best patio heater for restaurants.
Before delving into the heart of the matter, let’s take a look at why restaurateurs are adding patio heaters to their terraces.
Why add patio heaters to restaurant terraces?
No need to beat about the bush, restaurants are adding patio heaters to their terraces to boost revenue. The terrace represents an additional number of seats for the restaurant, but these seats are at the mercy of the weather, and very often the temperature is not sufficient to take full advantage of these additional seats. Patio heaters extend the useful life of patios and increase revenues. We will see in the rest of this article that not all patio heaters are created equal.
Different patio heaters for restaurants
The three most common types of patio heater are free-standing propane patio heaters, gas patio heaters and electric infrared patio heaters.
Patio heaters
Terrace heaters for restaurant terraces
Propane patio heaters
Propane patio heaters are free-standing units that can be moved when not in use.
Benefits
- Moveable
- Economical to buy
Disadvantages
- Bulky (takes up a lot of floor space)
- Risks inherent in using propane
- A lot of heat lost to wind and draughts
- Frequent propane tank changes
- High running costs
- Limited service life
- Requires recurring maintenance
- More polluting than an electric model
- Not suitable for enclosed or poorly ventilated terraces
This type of patio heater is ideal for short-term temporary use and installation. Suitable for spaces with no electricity or gas supply.
Gas patio heaters
Gas-fired patio heaters are permanently installed at height, and require a gas inlet and ventilation system.
Benefits
- Works during power failures
- Overhead installation for extra table space
Disadvantages
- A lot of heat lost to wind and draughts.
- Inherent risk of using gas
- Voluminous (takes up a lot of ceiling space)
- Requires adequate ventilation
- Requires recurring maintenance
- More polluting than an electric model
- Not suitable for enclosed or poorly ventilated terraces
This type of patio heater is suitable for permanent installations like the electric model. The two types of device will be compared in the “Comparison” section.
Electric infrared patio heaters
Electric infrared patio heaters are permanently installed at height and require a power supply.
Benefits
- High efficiency
- Discreet appearance
- Overhead installation for extra table space
- Economical energy source (electricity)
- Various control and modulation options
- Instant sensation of warmth
- The feeling of warmth is not affected by the wind
Disadvantages
- Cannot be used during power failures
Electric patio heaters are suitable for permanent installations.
Comparing patio heaters
How do the three types of patio heater compare on each dimension?
Efficiency
Of the three types of patio heaters, electric infrared heaters are the most efficient. These offer between 65% and 96% radiant efficiency, providing the best comfort for the energy used.
In comparison, the other two types offer an efficiency of around 50%, which equates to around 50% of the energy used being lost to draughts.
Aesthetics
To each his own, but certain types of appliance have distinctive features that most people can relate to.
Some types of propane patio heaters have a visible flame for a cosy atmosphere. However, this type of patio heater is less efficient than the more standard model.
Propane-fired patio heaters tend to lose their new look quickly, and even rust or warp quickly.
Electric patio heaters have the most subtle, modern appearance.
Gas-fired patio heaters tend to be quite bulky and are less suited to most patios.
For the best result between efficiency and aesthetics. You can opt for a combination of electric and gas patio heaters.
Security
Each type of patio heater must be used and installed safely.
Propane and gas-fired patio heaters require an extra level of attention to risk.
For propane patio heaters, the Propane Association of Canada recommends using them outdoors only, never storing cylinders indoors, evaluating the space above and around them to reduce fire risk, ensuring stability and moving with care.
For gas-fired patio heaters, it’s important to maintain good air circulation to reduce the risk of intoxication from use or breakdown.
For electric patio heaters, installation by a certified electrician is recommended to reduce installation risks.
Dimensions and clearances
Another aspect to consider when choosing the type of patio heater is its size and the necessary clearances.
For smaller terraces, stand-mounted propane patio heaters should be avoided as they can reduce the number of seats available in the restaurant.
It is therefore preferable to choose ceiling or wall-mounted devices. The electric model normally requires the smallest necessary clearance, which is favourable for smaller spaces.
Cost
The cost is divided into two parts: the purchase and the operating costs.
Purchase cost
Generally speaking, propane models are the least expensive to buy and are available in most big-box stores.
Gas and electric patio heaters are generally more expensive to buy, but have a longer service life than propane heaters.
Operating costs
- Use
Operating costs vary from province to province. Depending on the prevailing cost of electricity and natural gas, operating costs may vary. For a province like Quebec, with lower electricity costs, it’s less expensive to use an appliance with equivalent power for 1 hour.
In concrete terms, a 45,000Btu propane patio heater consumes about 2 pounds of propane per hour at a cost of about $1.50 (with a propane price of $15 for 20 pounds). A 5 kW electric patio heater costs $0.50 per hour of use.
For example, a 5 kW patio heater, equivalent to 20,000 Btu, is more efficient than a 45,000 Btu propane patio heater for heating an outdoor space.
Since the energy efficiency of an electric patio heater is higher, an electric patio heater requires less power and therefore less cost to achieve the same heat output.
- Other costs
For propane and gas-fired patio heaters, there are other related costs to consider.
- Time and money spent filling propane tanks.
- Cost of cylinder filling service
- Maintenance costs (fan maintenance and motor oiling)
Installation
The propane patio heater requires no installation, since it’s ready to use with a single propane tank. Gas patio heaters and most electric models require professional installation.
Maintenance
Electric patio heaters require by far the least maintenance. A simple annual cleaning is all it takes.
Propane patio heaters require regular changes of propane tanks and are subject to inter-seasonal plugging due to a clogged component requiring repair or replacement.
Both gas and propane patio heaters are subject to catching between seasons due to a clogged component and need to be repaired or replaced.
Conclusion: which is the best patio heater for restaurants?
Although propane patio heaters are suitable for temporary installations. Restaurant terraces are best served by a permanent installation such as gas or electric.
Between a gas or electric patio heater installation, the choice of electric patio heaters is to be favored, considering the better efficiency, simpler operation, simpler maintenance, lower risk level and better aesthetics.
Discover heated terraces with electric infrared heaters
At Technirep, we’ve been helping restaurants for over 20 years to install an electric infrared system, targeting their needs and expectations according to their type of restaurant.
An outdoor heating system for a breakfast restaurant or steakhouse can be quite different. We’ll help you every step of the way to make your project a success.
All restaurants deserve an infrared heating solution that increases terrace profitability.
0 Comments