If you have a gazebo, terrace or porch, then at any opportunity you want to spend more time in the fresh air, which is not always possible when the weather is cool or damp. An outdoor heater will help to solve the problem. Such a device raises the temperature of the air around and can be installed in any open area.

Criteria for choosing an outdoor heater

The equipment in question is widely used in Europe, but in our country it is a novelty, so not everyone knows by what criteria to choose it. Outdoor heaters are multifunctional equipment, which is designed not only to increase the air temperature, but also additional illumination, which emphasizes the advantages of a personal garden and even a cafe or restaurant. From the equipment intended for use inside the house, it differs in more interesting decorative data.

Did you know? Around the world, 1.2 million barrels of kerosene are used daily for various purposes (in lighting, heating devices, production of jet fuel, etc.).

Select an outdoor heater should, given the following criteria:

• power;
• material of which the device is made;
• security level;
• external characteristics;
• the type of fuel the equipment is running on.

Power

This criterion is quite important. Not only the range of the device, but also its price depends on power. In order to choose the right equipment, you must first make measurements of the area that you want to heat. Then select a model and view its characteristics. On average, every 5 kW of power allows you to process from 1 to 4 m².

Instrument material

When choosing equipment, one should also consider what its body is made of. Usually use polished steel or stainless, as well as ceramics. Although manufacturers claim that the material is weatherproof, the equipment is subject to corrosion over time. Given this, you will have to additionally purchase a cover or provide for installation under a canopy.

Safety

Taking into account that the heater will be placed on the street or under a canopy, where there is a high risk of fire hazard (the wind may blow and the appliance will turn over or water will get inside, etc.), models with an increased level of safe use should be preferred. Some variations, for example, have tilt sensors. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the dimensions of the bottom of the device. The larger it is, the more stable the device.

Design and appearance

Choosing a summer version of heating appliances should also be in design. There are quite a variety of models on the market that are designed to be installed on the floor, mounted on a wall or in a bench, mobile, suspended, etc. Naturally, in terms of style, it is worth focusing on the design of the personal plot and the room. There are also models that emit extra light. They produce much more heat than those that do not have such a function.

Types of heaters by fuel type

The most important criterion for choosing such devices is the type of fuel on which they operate. They all have different consumption, power and external characteristics. To choose a good option that is suitable not only for design, but also for wallet, it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the groups of heaters, their data, as well as the pros and cons.

There are 4 types of heaters by fuel type:

• gas;
• electric;
• kerosene;
• solid fuel.

Important! Electric and gas types of street heaters, work on the principle of infrared radiation, because raising the temperature of open air is not effective. This means that they heat objects around them, which in turn reflect heat into the surrounding space.

Gas

The gas version works autonomously on liquefied or main gas. Some models combine both functions. Presented in a wide variety of forms. This can be a pendant lamp, a fungus mounted on the floor or table, a compact device that can be rearranged anywhere when necessary. Regardless of external data, the operation of such devices is carried out according to one type. Given the power of the device, you can heat the area in a radius of 2 to 6 m around the heater.

In each such equipment, there are a number of mandatory parts that ensure uninterrupted operation:

• emitter;
• reflector;
• a heating element;
• trellised plate protecting fragile elements;
• gas compartment;
• burner;
• Control block.

Choosing a similar type of equipment, it is worth paying attention to the products of manufacturers: "NeoClima", "Ballu", "Aesto", "Comfort". The most reliable options are considered to be with a ceramic case. Like any equipment, gas heaters have their pros and cons.

• Among the advantages are noted:
• high decorative body and a wide selection of models;
• the ability to run smoothly in the temperature range of -40 ... + 40 ° C;
• the presence of several power modes;
• all large models are mobile, which greatly facilitates their operation.

• The disadvantages of such devices are:
• the need to constantly monitor and change or replenish the gas cylinder;
• devices do not work at temperatures below -40 ° C.

Electric

By the method of installation, electric floor, ceiling and wall are isolated. There are also models that are built into the surface of countertops or other furniture items. The electric version of the heater is more compact than gas. Most models have functions to turn off the device when tilted above 15 °. Heating is carried out due to the presence in the devices of such a detail as a spiral.

It is placed in a flask made of ceramic, quartz glass or aluminum. The second option is the cheapest, but also less durable. The average service life of such a device will be 2 years. If it was decided to purchase a copy of the heater from the group in question, then you should pay attention to the products of such manufacturers: Enders, ChillChaser, Kvimol, Alexander Rose.

• The advantages of electric heaters are:
• the ability to choose a model for installation anywhere;
• small sizes;
• decorativeness;
• the ability to place devices not only in the open air, but also in enclosed spaces.

The main disadvantage of such equipment is its limited mobility due to the fact that it is powered by electricity. It will be inconvenient to put them in the middle of an open area, i.e. you need to connect a fuel source (electrician). If it is a veranda or terrace, then it is necessary to arrange wiring, which entails additional costs.

Kerosene

Heating in open spaces where there are no strong gusts of wind and rooms with standard ventilation can be carried out using more budget options, for example, kerosene. Such devices convert fuel with maximum efficiency within 99%.

The main working nodes of such a system:

• fuel tank;
• sensor;
• wick bowl;
• wick length regulator;
• burner and protection for it in the form of a hemisphere.

Such a heater will provide comfort and a romantic atmosphere. In addition, it can be used to heat food. Such devices are a high-quality system with protection of several levels. They are provided with flame extinguishing sensors in case of shock or accidental fire of the heater.

Important! The kerosene heater does not emit an unpleasant odor. The only time you can catch a specific aroma is when the equipment is refueled with fuel and when the wick is extinguished, but it can be easily fixed by opening a window, and in air the deficiency will be invisible.

In addition, each model is equipped with a screen that is designed to protect the user from burns. If you decide to purchase a kerosene version of the heater, then you should pay attention to the products of the manufacturers "Comfort" and "Kerona".

• The advantages of such systems include:
• small dimensions;
• mobility;
• the possibility of heating food and use not only in the fresh air, but also indoors;
• lower cost than previous models.

• Among the minuses include:
• the need to use an unpleasant odor fuel;
• open fire;
• not too attractive appearance.

Solid fuel

Solid fuel systems have a higher cost and are more suitable for indoor installation than outdoors. They work from the combustion of coal, peat or wood. It is better to give preference to models made of refractory steel or cast iron. The radius of action of such devices is much greater than all considered above. A boiler with a capacity of 12 kW is enough to heat an area of ​​120 m². They can also be equipped with an electronic control system.

Installation of equipment is quite complicated and requires good ventilation, which in principle is not a problem on the verandas and terraces. Among manufacturers of solid fuel equipment, the highest quality models are produced: Lemax, Teplodar, Bourgeois, TRIAN.

• The advantages of the considered heaters are:
• long term of operation;
• decorativeness;
• safety;
• high power and the ability to use even at low temperatures.

Of the minuses, you can highlight the high cost and complexity of the installation. But in recalculating the fuel economy, it turns out that large costs will have to be done only at the initial stage.

Did you know? The first heaters (heaters) appeared in ancient Rome. They represented a whole system of channels through which air was distributed from the furnace, and, by the way, a similar system was used to heat the Kremlin in the 15th century.

With the help of a properly selected heater, you can spend lunch and dinner on the street even in cool weather. Today, a fairly large number of models of various types of fuel, external data and other characteristics are presented. Users can only choose the most convenient, suitable in style and specific arrangement of the territory.