3 Tricks To Ensure Proper Outdoor Heater Placement

Outdoor heaters have become a popular choice for homeowners looking to extend their outdoor living spaces and businesses aiming to attract customers all year round. To maximize the return on investment in premium brands like AEI’s Patio Comfort and Sunglo natural gas heaters, or the Infratech and Sunpak electric heaters, business owners need to ensure efficient heat distribution. Placing outdoor heaters too close together can overwhelm guests, while spacing them too far apart creates cold zones that can spoil the ambiance. Proper management of these heaters can significantly enhance customer satisfaction.

Understanding Different Types of Outdoor Heaters

The type of heater you choose will influence the best placement strategies in a commercial setting. When considering optimal positioning, one key factor is the shape of the heater. There are two main types: mushroom heaters, known for their circular heating plates, and box heaters, which feature rectangular designs with embedded cylindrical heating rods. Infratech and Sunpak heaters fall into the latter category.

These heaters operate using natural gas, propane, or electricity to power their circular plates or cylindrical rods, emitting safe infrared rays to heat outdoor spaces effectively. Mushroom heaters like the Sunglo and Patio Comfort heaters distribute heat circularly, covering a wider area—typically 12 to 20 feet in diameter. This makes them ideal for both residential and commercial use. Box heaters, on the other hand, allow for targeted heat distribution, making them perfect for enclosed areas. Regardless of the type, there are three essential tips to ensure the best performance of your outdoor heaters.

1: Position Heaters at the Right Distance from Guests

No matter if you opt for mushroom heaters or box-style options, the first step to creating a comfortable environment is determining the ideal distance between the heaters and people. Ceiling-mounted rectangular Infratech heaters, for instance, can project radiant heat between 6 and 14 feet, depending on environmental conditions. In enclosed settings, these highly efficient (90%) heaters might be placed further back compared to open-air setups. Therefore, business owners must take into account the ceiling or wall-mount height alongside guest seating arrangements. Unlike box-mounted heaters, mushroom heaters maintain a fixed height and disperse heat in a circular pattern spanning 12 to 20 feet, covering approximately 100 to 300 square feet. Overlapping these heat sources slightly when positioning them near customers ensures consistent warmth throughout the space.

2: Space Outdoor Heaters Appropriately

Creating a pleasant outdoor experience involves more than just keeping people warm—it’s about maintaining uniformity. Guests should not feel hot in one area and cold in another. To achieve this, business owners should evaluate their outdoor patios and purchase heaters that meet the minimum heat requirements for the space. By measuring the minimum heat-throw distance, you can determine the right number of heaters needed to adequately warm the entire area without needing to run them at full capacity. Allowing some overlap between heaters helps maintain consistent temperatures even during colder weather. Factors such as insulation levels and exposure to the elements play crucial roles here. The more vulnerable your space is to cold drafts, the closer you’ll need to place the heaters.

3: Utilize the Heat Disbursement Angle

Adjusting the angle of your heaters can offer additional benefits. For safety reasons, never tilt mushroom heaters unless they are turned off and completely cooled down. Doing so poses a risk of tipping over. Fixed infrared heaters, however, offer more versatility. They can be mounted at various angles to direct heat precisely where it’s needed most. Even ceiling-mounted units can be adjusted to target specific areas effectively. This flexibility allows business owners to optimize heat distribution based on their unique layout. Ideally, position your heaters to face the prevailing wind direction. While this isn’t always feasible, it minimizes the effort required to counteract cold drafts. Make the most of this option by tailoring your setup to suit your particular space. Outdoor heaters aren’t just about improving customer satisfaction—they’re also vital for retaining existing patrons and attracting new ones. A well-thought-out plan ensures warmth across the entire area, enhancing comfort and enjoyment. To learn more or ask questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to assist you with any queries you may have about outdoor heaters or other related topics.