The COVID19 pandemic has meant that the safest way to socialise is outdoors.
The problem in more southerly climates is that even on the nicest of days it very often gets chilly or cold on an evening and if you want to enjoy socialising outside, outdoor heating is a must.
Choosing the right outdoor heater can be a difficult task, especially with so many heaters available. We’ve put this handy guide to outdoor heating together to help you choose the right heater for you and answer the most commonly asked questions.
Types of outdoor heaters
An outdoor or patio heater uses infrared (also known as radiant) heat to directly warm people within proximity of the heater. These come as electric infrared / patio heaters, gas heaters or firepits/chimineas.
Gas heaters are highly inefficient as they consume a high amount of gas for the relative heat output and are very bad for the environment due to the high CO2 levels. They are also very inconvenient with heavy gas cannisters or complex installation.
Fire pits / chimineas are a bit better for the environment and can create a nice atmosphere. However, they are usually very smelly and of course need constant attention, supplies of wood etc and are not practical for most urban areas or anything more than occasional use.
Herschel’s Electric patio heaters are the most efficient form of outdoor heating. The heat output can be directed exactly where it is required, they are totally silent, maintenance free, have long lifetimes and are the most environmentally friendly form of outdoor heating, especially when powered by a renewable energy source. As the energy grid continues to decarbonise the environmental credentials will improve further.
How do electric patio heaters work?
Electric infrared heaters convert electricity into infrared heat via a heating element or lamp. This heat is transmitted by electromagnetic waves through the air until it reaches an object (they do not heat the air itself).
The objects (and that includes us humans) absorb the electromagnetic waves which has the effect of warming us. It is similar to the heat transfer from the sun, but due to the lower intensity there are no harmful effects such as UV. Infrared is completely safe.
Infrared is a form of light and just like light, it travels in straight lines and reduces over distance. So like a light bulb, the closer you are to it, the more of the infrared heat is absorbed by you and the warmer you feel. The further away, the less of it reaches you and the colder you feel.
In terms of your comfort outdoors, you can compensate for feeling cold by having several heaters, hotter heaters or being closer to the heater. These are the main things you can adjust.
How do I work out how many or what size I need?
We give a heated area guide for each heater, but this is a guideline only and the area covered will depend on the ambient temperature, level of wind and mounting height.
As a general rule, any cover (whether temporary or permanent), such as an awning will help to keep the area warmer and cosier, and the more shelter in terms of walls or wind blocks that exist, the better. Even though you are still absorbing the heat from the heater, a cold wind will prevent you from properly feeling the benefit – just like the effect that a chilly wind has on a sunny day.
Installing more heaters in an area is preferable to installing too few because you only turn them on when you need them and you won’t risk under-heating an area on colder days.
People will usually need to be within 2-3m of the heater to feel the warmth from it, so it is important to consider the location of the heaters to ensure good coverage.
We have a range of mounting options from wall to ceiling, hanging, freestanding and under table – so a combination may well be the best solution for larger areas.
Herschel also has experts on hand to respond to your calls, emails or online chat, so if you are in any doubt, please ask for help.
How much do they cost to run?
The amount of electricity consumed by a patio heater is measured by its wattage (power). So a 1000W (or 1kW) heater will consume 1kW of electricity per hour that it is running. The average price of 1 kWh of electricity in the UK is currently about 15 pence. So, a 2000W (2kW) heater will cost 2 x 15p = 30p per hour to run. For heaters with different heat settings the usage could be lower than the stated wattage (for example our 2000W California has a half power setting, so on half power would only consume 1kWh of electricity on this setting).
However, whilst the energy consumption of all heaters will be the same as their power (wattage) rating, there are big differences in the efficiency and the effectiveness of different makes of heaters. Each kW of electricity consumed needs to be properly and efficiently turned into effective infrared or some of it will be wasted heating the air, and heating air outdoors is extremely wasteful as it simply rises and disappears into the atmosphere.
Are they bad for the environment?
When powered by clean, renewable electricity we believe that our outdoor heaters provide a sustainable way to allow people to enjoy time outdoors with zero harmful fumes, air pollution or CO2 emissions.
The majority of the components in our heaters are metal and a very high percentage (c.95%) can be recycled at end of life. They are designed to last and there are no harmful chemicals used in the production process, or in the heaters.
What is the difference between zero light, low glare, quartz halogen, shortwave, middlewave and longwave patio heaters?
The level of emitted light, heat and their electromagnetic “wavelength” tends to dictate the different classifications of outdoor heater types you will come across. They do all make sense, but they can be confusing so this simple guide to outdoor heating looks to explain in more detail.
Most people’s experience of electric outdoor heaters will be from those outside pubs, restaurants and cafes, The vast majority of these are older style “quartz halogen” type of heaters which are “shortwave”. These heaters can give off a high level of light which “glares” making them uncomfortable to be near for any length of time. Thankfully outdoor heating technology has moved a long way and we only supply much more comfortable low glare or zero light types of heater.
Herschel’s infrared patio heaters fall into the following ranges:
Zero light – Designer Range
Our zero light infrared heaters produce no visible light and give off a gentle, warm but not “hot” level of heat. Because the level of heat is less intense, when used outdoors they are only effective in covered, sheltered areas.
They are very popular in rooms which open to the outdoors and high-end bars and restaurants where discreet heating is required without any light. They are very much “designer” heaters and form our Zero light (designer) range.
Choose either Summit White, Summit Black or Aspect XL.
Warm glow- Sunset Range
Herschel’s Sunset range of heaters all have our latest generation woven carbon fibre heating lamps. This products a very comfortable level of heat with a deep orange warm glow. They create a very cosy atmosphere and the lamps are ultra-long life (up to 10,000 hours).
They are best for covered or sheltered areas will low levels of wind. Most people really enjoy the warmth and ambiance from these heaters.
Florida, Hawaii, California, and Colorado are all warm glow heaters.
Low glare – Performance Range
For more exposed areas or where higher mounting is required, Herschel’s Performance range is the most appropriate.
They are hotter and more intense than the sunset or zero light range, but unlike quartz halogen heaters on the market, the lamps on our performance range are all low glare.
The result is a nice orange glow and level of heat which will keep you warm on even the colder days or in colder places.
Choose the Manhattan from this range.
How easy are they to install?
All of our heaters can be run from a standard domestic mains supply. Any competent electrician can install them and run the necessary wiring for outdoor installation, using appropriate IP rated electrical fixings. The Florida and Havana come with a plug and require no electrical installation.
How do I control them?
Many of our heaters come with remote control options and have on/off switches on the heater. Alternative control options are available.
What IP rating is suitable for outdoor use?
An IP rating consists of two digits which show the ‘ingress protection’ rating for an electronic item, and the exposure it is protected against for solid objects and water. For outdoor heaters, it is the second digit that is important as this relates to the protection provided against harmful ingress of water.
We have a range of outdoor heaters and their IP ratings range between IP44/IPX4 and IP65. Protection level 4 (second digit) provides protection against splashing water from all directions. Protection level 5 (second digit) provides protection against water jets from any direction. IP44 is generally recognised as being sufficient for most applications outdoors although heaters shouldn’t be subjected to consistent, heavy rainfall. So for our IPX4/44 rated installed heaters, which will be permanently out all year round, the heaters should be mounted under some form of cover. IP65 is suitable for exposed outdoor use, in all weathers, and do not require any form of cover.
Why are Herschel heaters more expensive than some others?
A good outdoor heater should:
- Provide a comfortable level of heat without glare
- Be efficient and effective when running with a high proportion of Infrared output
- Be safe to use
- Enhance the look of your property
- Last for many years.
Heaters at the cheaper end of the market are made from low grade materials and components, cheaply made heating lamps and are often far less efficient at projecting out usable infrared, with heat wasted by convection from the unit. A patio heater has to withstand all sorts of weather conditions and if components rust the heater will not last long.
All Herschel heaters are built with longevity in mind. None of the components including fixings can rust and they have high IP (water and dust ingress) ratings. Where appropriate we use mirror reflectors or special infrared emitting coatings to ensure that the heater is efficient. They are tested at least to UK and international safety standards by independent testing labs and are all commercial grade heaters. Our lamps are long life and made from premium materials. All paintwork and coatings are fully tested against fading, discolouring or flaking.
We believe that Herschel infrared patio heaters represent the best value and best performing outdoor heaters on the market.
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