So You Want an Outdoor Heater?
Feeling the chill? Three experts reveal how to choose the right heating option for your outdoor space
Georgia Madden
17 July 2018
An outdoor heater is a great way to extend the use of your alfresco area, but with so many choices available – gas, wood, electric, portable and fixed – it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Here, three experts provide the lowdown on the main outdoor heating options, so you can make your decision with confidence.
Different options
If you’re looking to splash out on a new heater for your outdoor space, there are several different options to choose from, including portable gas heaters, fire pits, chimineas, wall- or ceiling-mounted electric heaters and outdoor fireplaces.
If you’re looking to splash out on a new heater for your outdoor space, there are several different options to choose from, including portable gas heaters, fire pits, chimineas, wall- or ceiling-mounted electric heaters and outdoor fireplaces.
What are the main questions to ask yourself?
Carmen Cerda, category manager for outdoor heating at Barbeques Galore, suggests asking:
Carmen Cerda, category manager for outdoor heating at Barbeques Galore, suggests asking:
- Do you want solid fuel, electricity or gas?
- What size is the space you want to heat up?
- Is your outdoor area under cover or open? Certain heaters suit different types of outdoor areas.
- Do you want a portable heater that you can move around, or would you prefer it to be fixed?
- How many people on average will the outdoor heater need to keep warm?
- Do you want to keep warm or simply create an atmosphere?
- If you’re thinking of a wall-mounted fireplace, do you have an appropriate location that doesn’t require having to enclose the whole area? This is important as you’ll want your alfresco area to maintain its connection to the garden or outdoor space.
Solid-fuel heaters
“Nothing beats a crackling fire for atmosphere,” says Cerda. “Our fire pits and chimineas are freestanding and vary between 4 and 23 kilograms in weight, giving you the flexibility to move them around your outdoor space or take them on picnics or camping. Some of our fire pits come with grills with protective mesh lids so you can cook on them too.”
“A fire pit or fireplace creates a lovely, cosy atmosphere, but to get a decent amount of heating, seating needs to be located close by,” says Mendel.
Cost: From about $49 to $399 depending on size and materials (average price is around $199).
How Do I… Automate My Home?
“Nothing beats a crackling fire for atmosphere,” says Cerda. “Our fire pits and chimineas are freestanding and vary between 4 and 23 kilograms in weight, giving you the flexibility to move them around your outdoor space or take them on picnics or camping. Some of our fire pits come with grills with protective mesh lids so you can cook on them too.”
“A fire pit or fireplace creates a lovely, cosy atmosphere, but to get a decent amount of heating, seating needs to be located close by,” says Mendel.
Cost: From about $49 to $399 depending on size and materials (average price is around $199).
How Do I… Automate My Home?
Beach Vintage
Portable gas heaters
“A portable, freestanding gas heater is a good choice if budget and space are limited,” says Mendel.
“They emit radiant heat, which gives a sun-like warmth,” adds Cerda. “Depending on the model, gas heaters can operate between 9 and 17 hours on a properly-filled 9 kilogram gas cylinder.”
Safety is crucial with gas heaters.
“They do need some clearance above, so your alfresco roof will need to be high enough to accommodate this,” says Mendel.
“They should only be used in well-ventilated areas, and you must adhere to the clearance standards recommended in the instruction manual,” says Cerda. “All our portable gas heaters feature a tip-over switch that halts the supply of gas if the unit is accidentally knocked over. The area heaters have a built-in ODS sensor that measures oxygen levels within a space, and switches the unit off when necessary to prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide.”
Cost: Around $250.
“A portable, freestanding gas heater is a good choice if budget and space are limited,” says Mendel.
“They emit radiant heat, which gives a sun-like warmth,” adds Cerda. “Depending on the model, gas heaters can operate between 9 and 17 hours on a properly-filled 9 kilogram gas cylinder.”
Safety is crucial with gas heaters.
“They do need some clearance above, so your alfresco roof will need to be high enough to accommodate this,” says Mendel.
“They should only be used in well-ventilated areas, and you must adhere to the clearance standards recommended in the instruction manual,” says Cerda. “All our portable gas heaters feature a tip-over switch that halts the supply of gas if the unit is accidentally knocked over. The area heaters have a built-in ODS sensor that measures oxygen levels within a space, and switches the unit off when necessary to prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide.”
Cost: Around $250.
Electric/radiant heaters
Choose from freestanding electric heaters or sleek wall- or ceiling-mounted styles. “Electric heating products use radiant, carbon fibre or halogen heating elements, and produce a sun-like warmth in areas up to 32 square metres, depending on model and area size,” says Cerda. They can be used in an enclosed outdoor space, such as a protected patio or verandah. “We’ve recently introduced new styles with halogen heating elements that can be combined with a centre-pole umbrella or hung from the ceiling.”
Cost: Between about $249 and $699.
Your Essential Guide to Hot Water Systems
Choose from freestanding electric heaters or sleek wall- or ceiling-mounted styles. “Electric heating products use radiant, carbon fibre or halogen heating elements, and produce a sun-like warmth in areas up to 32 square metres, depending on model and area size,” says Cerda. They can be used in an enclosed outdoor space, such as a protected patio or verandah. “We’ve recently introduced new styles with halogen heating elements that can be combined with a centre-pole umbrella or hung from the ceiling.”
Cost: Between about $249 and $699.
Your Essential Guide to Hot Water Systems
Outdoor fireplaces
If an outdoor fireplace is on your wish list, take your pick from built-in and freestanding styles. These can be wood-, gas- or electricity-fuelled.
When making your selection, pay attention to whether the model you’re considering emits radiant (warms people) or convection (warms the air) heat. “In an outdoor setting, radiant fireplaces heat more effectively than convection styles,” says James Kearsley, national sales manager at Jetmaster Fireplaces Australia: “A convection fireplace is also more susceptible to heat loss in an open space.”
When it comes to outdoor styles, slim is definitely in, according to Kearsley: “In the last few years we have seen a shift away from traditional square fireplace shapes to longer and leaner landscape styles.”
Cost: Between about $3,000 and $8,000 depending on model and size.
If an outdoor fireplace is on your wish list, take your pick from built-in and freestanding styles. These can be wood-, gas- or electricity-fuelled.
When making your selection, pay attention to whether the model you’re considering emits radiant (warms people) or convection (warms the air) heat. “In an outdoor setting, radiant fireplaces heat more effectively than convection styles,” says James Kearsley, national sales manager at Jetmaster Fireplaces Australia: “A convection fireplace is also more susceptible to heat loss in an open space.”
When it comes to outdoor styles, slim is definitely in, according to Kearsley: “In the last few years we have seen a shift away from traditional square fireplace shapes to longer and leaner landscape styles.”
Cost: Between about $3,000 and $8,000 depending on model and size.
Wood-burning outdoor fireplace
A wood-burning fireplace creates a wonderful ambience. “It’s also cheap to run, low-maintenance and will give you more radiant heat than a gas fireplace,” says Kearsley. “The downside is you need to buy, chop, store and stack the wood, so there is labour involved.”
You should also consider your neighbours, particularly if you live in a built-up area, he adds; “A wood fireplace will produce some smoke. You can minimise this by making sure the flue is installed correctly with minimum clearances from neighbouring structures, and burning dry, hard timber.”
See more stunning outdoor areas
A wood-burning fireplace creates a wonderful ambience. “It’s also cheap to run, low-maintenance and will give you more radiant heat than a gas fireplace,” says Kearsley. “The downside is you need to buy, chop, store and stack the wood, so there is labour involved.”
You should also consider your neighbours, particularly if you live in a built-up area, he adds; “A wood fireplace will produce some smoke. You can minimise this by making sure the flue is installed correctly with minimum clearances from neighbouring structures, and burning dry, hard timber.”
See more stunning outdoor areas
Outdoor gas fireplace
“These are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of operation – all you need to do is flick a switch,” says Kearsley. Another bonus with a gas fireplace is that it won’t emit smoke – so no irritating the neighbours. You do need to take into consideration gas type (natural or LPG) and how often and for what length of time you will be running your fireplace. Natural gas is fairly cheap to run, making it more efficient over longer periods of time than LPG.
“Be aware that an outdoor gas fireplace will need regular servicing, as there are more working components than in a wood fireplace,” he adds.
“These are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of operation – all you need to do is flick a switch,” says Kearsley. Another bonus with a gas fireplace is that it won’t emit smoke – so no irritating the neighbours. You do need to take into consideration gas type (natural or LPG) and how often and for what length of time you will be running your fireplace. Natural gas is fairly cheap to run, making it more efficient over longer periods of time than LPG.
“Be aware that an outdoor gas fireplace will need regular servicing, as there are more working components than in a wood fireplace,” he adds.
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agree, oskuee. also-what are the environmental effects of each type of heating?
I agree. Heating the world and adding to global warming doesn't seem too intelligent. Put on another jersey.