Gas Patio Heaters

Spring is here and it is time once again to dust off the patio furniture and BBQ and look forward to the hazy lazy days of summer. Once only really found outside pubs and restaurants, gas patio heaters are becoming a popular choice in the home garden to extend the time we can spend outside. Cool days and chilly evenings no longer have to send everyone running back inside the house.

Gas patio heaters come in a wide range of sizes and finishes and if you do some research you will be able to find the ideal heater for your circumstances, space and budget. Propane is one of the most popular options for fuelling patio heaters, though they can also be fuelled by natural gas and electricity.

If you use your outdoor space a lot a propane heater can be the most cost effective though they are receiving some bad press with regards to emissions and global warming with chimineas and fire pits being hailed as a more environmentally friendly option.

Gas patio heaters are reliable and safe as long as some common sense rules are followed. Almost all gas heaters come with an ignition switch so do not require matches to get the flame going and most have a safety feature where if the heater is knocked over the gas supply is automatically shut off.

It is essential to read the manufacturer’s instructions before assembling and operating the patio heater.
Place the patio heater well away from trees, trellises and gazebos.
Position patio heaters so that they are in a shielded area and will not blow out.
Ensure there is a minimum of 1 metre clearance all round the patio heater.
Ensure that the patio heater is perfectly upright to minimise the risk of it falling over.
Ensure that the patio heater is sited on a firm and level surface.
Ensure the area where the patio heater is situated is well-ventilated with proper airflow.
Never carry or pull the patio heater around by the supply hose.
Never move the patio heater when it is alight.
Always allow the heater to cool before moving or cleaning it.
Turn the gas off at the cylinder when the appliance is not in use.