Whether taking a casual stroll through East Wellington Park or heading out on a Vancouver Island whale-watching tour, we naturally tend to spend more time outside when those warm spring and summer months begin to creep in.
As well as enjoying what the local area has to offer, now’s also the perfect time to make the most of the beautiful green spaces we have right in our backyards – literally. And what better way to do that with aesthetic and functional outdoor heating solutions?
From waterproof TVs to smart lighting, the trend of moving our usual indoor living spaces outside continues to grow in popularity, with backyard heating being one of the latest additions. Thanks to patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces, homeowners can extend the usability and comfort of these spaces to summer nights when those early evening chills begin to set in, and even into the fall!
Keep reading to find out exactly how installing an eco-friendly outdoor heating solution can not only help your family stay warm and cozy this year, but also increase your property value.
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Extend Your Outdoor Living Season
With a patio heater or outdoor fireplace, there’s no need to cut your night short. Instead, gather around these beautiful outdoor structures late into the evening and enjoy cooking barbecues, playing games, making s’mores, and stargazing, without the worry of getting cold.
From electric patio heaters to fireplaces fuelled by gas, there are a range of options available to help you extend the outdoor living season. Discover the pros and cons of some of the most popular heating solutions, along with tips for choosing the right one for you based on your unique space and style preferences.
Types of Patio Heaters
Also known as umbrella heaters, patio heaters offer a convenient way to enjoy summer outdoor living without needing to install a completely new structure. They’re incredibly easy to move around and will fit into nearly any area, regardless of its size. Plus, patio heaters deliver a consistent heat output, yet won’t cloud your vision with soot, smoke, or ash.
While being great for stargazing, patio heaters don’t give off much light and tend to concentrate their heat in just one area, therefore providing significantly less coverage than an open fire. The three main fueling types you can choose from are:
- Electric Patio Heater: Patio heaters fueled by electricity are the easiest to set up and use, as they simply need to be plugged in and often come with multiple heat settings. However, this means that they can only be positioned near an electrical source and are often the most expensive to operate.
- Propane Patio Heaters: Although propane tanks can be expensive, they are the best option for portable patio heaters as they can be placed anywhere within your outdoor space.
- Gas Patio Heaters: Featuring a built-in gas line, gas-powered patio heaters offer a safer alternative to propane options and don’t need to be refueled frequently. However, they can only be placed in a permanent, well-ventilated space, so choose a location wisely.
Types of Outdoor Fireplaces
If you’re looking for a centerpiece for your garden to enjoy outdoor gatherings, fireplaces are the perfect option.
Although they do take a lot longer to install, these heating sources create an architectural statement by encouraging guests to seat themselves around the exterior and are often best placed under covered patios. Outdoor fireplaces can also feature a stone chimney that not only filters smoke away, but also looks incredibly visually appealing in your outdoor space.
When it comes to choosing a type, wood-burning fireplaces are best for those wanting to replicate the beauty of an indoor roaring fire within their outside space. However, this variety isn’t clean burning and can cause a fire hazard if not properly monitored, while also requiring regular maintenance.
Gas-powered fireplaces tend to come with a ventless design, meaning no chimney is needed for a flexible installation. They also offer easy controls, although they must be placed in an approved outdoor space with plenty of air available for combustion and ventilation purposes.
While they may lack some of the charm of a traditional wood burner, electric outdoor fireplaces are easy to install and can be placed anywhere with a standard electrical outlet. They are also one of the most energy-efficient outdoor heaters, as well as requiring minimal maintenance and no constant fuel top-ups.
Create a Cozy Ambiance
While the main aim of outdoor heating solutions is to make it possible for you and your family to spend more time in the garden, they provide much more than just warmth.
Patio heaters and fireplaces also contribute to creating an inviting atmosphere that adds a radiant glow to the space. This makes it the perfect hub for both socializing and relaxing, whether you’re letting go of the day with a good book or just getting the night started for a cozy dinner party.
Aesthetic Appeal
What’s great about both patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces is that they’re available in a variety of styles, from rustic and traditional to those more on the modern side, to complement any outdoor space.
For example, brick fireplaces are slightly more expensive to build than other outdoor heating options. However, these models are longer lasting and add timeless value to your home, especially if you’re going for a more traditional vibe. Another great option is a pyramid patio heater made with sleek metal materials for a contemporary aesthetic.
Psychological Comfort
One of the biggest benefits of installing an outdoor heating system is that warm, fuzzy feeling that triggers relaxation within a cozy setting. Warm lighting often replicates a natural sunset glow, providing a sense of comfort that encourages us to unwind.
In fact, several studies show that exposure to light can help our bodies maintain their circadian rhythm, which is responsible for regulating blood pressure, body temperature, hormone release, and sleep-wake patterns.
Design Integration Tips
While patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces make a great centerpiece for your backyard or porch, they are just one crucial element in creating an ambient outdoor area. To completely transform your space, complement your new installation with furniture that matches the aesthetic, whether you’re going for a modern party feel or a cozy, traditional gathering spot
Here are three key design tips for your backyard heating solution:
- Choose Seating: Whether you’re thinking of hosting summer barbecues and brunches or social gatherings, think about how many people you’re hoping to host and select a suitable seating arrangement. For larger groups, wooden dining sets with benches positioned next to a portable patio heater work best, while smaller gatherings around a fireplace call for more laidback sofas.
- Consider Material: Don’t be afraid to venture away from matching patterns or designs when it comes to selecting outdoor decor. Pairing a metal patio heater with a wooden dining set creates an interesting contrast that can be drawn together with throws and cushions of the same color, for example.
- Extend Your Indoor Decor: Bring the coziness of your home interiors outside by selecting outdoor furniture that builds on your chosen theme. This could be as simple as purchasing furnishings with a similar color scheme for a smoother transition and more cohesive design.
Increase Property Value
Whether you’re renovating, or are thinking about moving home in the near future, patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces can add significant monetary value to your property. This makes them a worthwhile investment for owners looking for easy ways to make their homes more attractive to potential buyers.
Market Appeal
Presenting an attractive outdoor living space to potential buyers can help them start imagining those long summer evenings spent barbecuing and socializing with friends before they’ve even put an offer on the property, especially with the ambiance of a roaring fire in the center of the scene.
Return on Investment
Although it may require a significant initial investment, creating a thoughtfully designed, well-maintained outdoor space can enhance the value of your home by up to 20% – and purchasing outdoor heating equipment is a hugely significant part of this.
As well as for homeowners, fitting commercial gas patio heaters can also produce an incredible ROI for businesses. Rather than closing an outdoor dining area when temperatures drop, restaurants and cafes can keep these spaces open to accommodate more patrons. Research indicates that this approach can help businesses generate up to an extra $22,889 of revenue per heater!
Enjoy Outdoor Gatherings
From those intimate family gatherings to large birthday parties, outdoor heating provides the perfect solution for transforming your backyard into the go-to retreat for special occasions throughout the year. Here are just a few ways that installing a patio heater or outdoor fireplace can enhance your hosting skills:
Enhanced Social Experience
Many patio heaters come with built-in cooking features that cater to year-round outdoor dining experiences with your loved ones. Use them to extend your daytime summer barbecues late into the evening, toast marshmallows, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa on a first date, or even take your Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations outside this year!
Practical Tips for Hosting Outdoors
If you’re hoping to properly enjoy all the benefits of spending more time outdoors this season, you’ll need to understand the importance of safety while using heating elements outdoors.
For instance, patio heaters and fireplaces should be positioned in well-ventilated areas, at a safe distance away from combustible materials, and on stable surfaces to minimize the risk of them toppling over. Keep a fire extinguisher within reach too and pay especially close attention when children are around.
Furthermore, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested regularly if you’re using a fuel-burning heater. Fireplaces with open flames must also be installed by a professional residential gas fitting service, as these heat sources provide additional fire hazards.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Benefits of Outdoor Heating Solutions
When choosing a heat source to enhance your summer outdoor living experience, energy efficiency and environmental impact should be a key consideration, especially if you’re hoping to minimize running costs.
For example, gas-powered fireplaces and heaters have a higher heat output due to the combustion of natural gas, yet tend to be less expensive than using electricity over time.
Although propane tanks can be expensive, this type of fuel is considered to be a green energy source. As a natural by-product of petroleum refining, propane has a higher heat content than gas, meaning you’ll need to burn less to get the same amount of heat and quickly achieve your desired temperatures.
Electric heaters contain infrared bulbs that produce instant radiant heat. While they run at a higher amp draw than other sources, electric-powered heaters utilize your home’s energy, which offers a better opportunity to use renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.
Ready to Install a Patio Heater or Outdoor Fireplace?
If you’re hoping to get more from your outside spaces, take those special occasions into the backyard, and enhance the value of your property, investing in an outdoor heater is the perfect solution.
At Waywest Mechanical, we know that choosing the most energy-efficient and appropriately sized patio heater or outdoor fireplace for your space can be a challenge, which is why we’re here to help. Contact us today for tailored advice and expert electric or gas installation services in Nanaimo and surrounding areas from Duncan to Campbell River.