ALL ABOUT PATIO HEATERS Extend your outdoor living space beyond summer into fall’s cool evenings. As a bonus, these same tips allow you to get started enjoying your outdoor space earlier next spring.
HEATER
Outdoor heaters provide an opportunity to enjoy your patio throughout the seasons. There are many types of heaters that can suit any budget and design style. For budgetary reasons, ask yourself how often you will realistically use the heater. That can directly affect the type you end up with. Also think about whether the goal is ambiance, heat production, or both. British Thermal Units are the standard measure of how much heat a device provides. You can calculate how many BTUs are needed for your space, and you should as a starting point in your shopping. Measure your patio length, width, and height. If it’s uncovered, use a height measurement of seven feet. Then average out the increase in heat you hope to produce. For example, if it averages 45 degrees where you live and you want the space to run at 70 degrees, that’s a 25 degree increase. Multiply your cubic feet total by 25 to get your desired BTUs. Say you have a 10 x 20-foot patio with an eight- foot ceiling. That’s 1,600 cubic feet. Multiplied by 25 equals 40,000 BTUs. KNOW YOUR BTUS
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August 2023
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