Mount Your Infrared Patio Heaters to Maximize Comfort & Return on Investment

Restaurateurs and others in the hospitality industry continue to rely on overhead and portable patio heaters to provide comfort during cool evenings and deep into the winter months. During the pandemic, propane patio heaters helped businesses utilize outdoor seating areas and boost sales. Owners and operators have seen the benefits of expanded seating and, now, late-night gathering areas. That's why the outdoor heater market is expected to grow from $1.27 billion in 2023 to upwards of $1.88 billion by 2030.

However, for restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, resorts, and other establishments serving the public's leisure activities to thrive, installing infrared heaters must be done strategically. The placement of natural gas, propane, or electric patio heaters must maximize each unit's throw radius. Otherwise, there will be gaps where guests feel the cold chill they hoped to avoid when visiting your business.

To avoid misplacing or not maximizing the return on investment from your infrared heaters, these are things hospitality industry decision-makers may want to consider.

Positioning Mushroom Head Propane Patio Heaters

If you haven't used infrared patio heaters before, it's important to understand the difference between these products and older flame-driven models. Advanced technology in modern infrared portable patio heaters warms objects within their throw radius, not necessarily the air.

One of the key benefits of infrared heat is that a sudden breeze won't whisk away the warmth felt by patrons and guests. Infrared heaters gently warm people and objects, typically within 12 to 20 feet of the mushroom head. These portable patio heaters require a slight overlap of the circular throw radius.

In relatively intimate outdoor spaces like bistro seating, one or two infrared heaters may provide enough warmth to keep people coming back. Larger outdoor areas can be challenging. Restaurant owners may need to coordinate tables and chairs with their outdoor patio heater plan.

But the good news is that portable patio heaters have a liquid propane tank in the base. This allows managers to move them once they cool down. That means your business can adjust its outdoor heating strategy for large parties and special events.

Creating a Mushroom Head Natural Gas Patio Heater System

Any natural gas patio heater must be securely installed, including those with mushroom heads. Restaurant owners view these infrared heaters as essential tools to extend the daily use of outdoor seating. Many eateries already have natural gas lines in place that can be accessed. Having an outdoor heater fixed in place also prevents an unruly or clumsy customer from knocking it over.

Since natural gas heaters are attached to your property's natural gas fuel line, there's no need to refill or swap out a fuel tank. This means that firm placement decisions are crucial. Once a natural gas patio heater is fixed in place with a pole and connected to a fuel line, it cannot be easily moved. Choosing this route requires owners and operators to create a permanent floor plan that provides exceptional warmth and comfort to patrons.

If blocking out floor space for infrared patio heaters isn't ideal for driving profits, there are hanging mushroom heaters available. Powered by natural gas or propane, these stylish models can be suspended overhead and operated by a wall-mounted control panel. They do require sturdy overhead infrastructure, such as a ceiling or beam.

Positioning Overhead Patio Heaters

Overhead patio heaters are often referred to as "box heaters." This is mainly because they tend to be square or rectangular and house the infrared heating components inside the box. Unlike portable patio heaters, they are usually secured to ceilings in semi-enclosed spaces or overhead beams. Restaurants and other hospitality ventures can choose natural gas, propane, or electric heaters. Given that infrared heaters are energy efficient, the choice is driven by the cost and convenience of the existing power source options. These are things to consider when making a decision.

Natural Gas Patio Heater

Although these models are thought of strictly as overhead patio heaters, there is more flexibility than many realize. A top-of-the-line natural gas heater can also be fixed horizontally to walls and posts. This means you can position box heaters above customer seating areas and gathering spaces on the walls. In terms of making smoking areas more comfortable, fixed posts can also support box heaters away from traditional infrastructure.

Ceiling- and wall-mounted box heaters generally have a throw reach of 6 to 14 feet. By reviewing the manufacturer’s specifications and slightly overlapping the reach of the overhead patio heaters, you can blanket patrons and guests in warmth even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Electric Patio Heaters

Installing electric patio heaters generally follows along the same lines as natural gas units. These infrared heaters must also be fixed in place. Like other box heaters, they can be mounted to ceilings, beams, walls, and supports such as sturdy posts. Map out the infrared disbursement range of the electric patio heaters and space them out to overlap. This strategy delivers full heat coverage to the places you want people to dine or relax.

One of the reasons electric patio heaters continue to be popular is that every eatery, resort, pub, and other operation is already connected to the grid or uses solar energy. All business owners need to do is have a certified electrician run a designated line and install the control panel precisely where it works best. Our electric patio heaters can also use a flush-mount frame to sit “flush” with the ceiling or wall, for a sleek non-descript aesthetic.

Overhead Propane Patio Heaters

Although the mushroom head portable propane patio heaters rank among the most popular in North America, this fuel source can also power boxed models. Overhead propane patio heaters can be installed like natural gas box heaters. Both resources are considered environmentally sustainable and inexpensive.

Propane heaters use a fuel tank to carry and supply the fuel for the heater. This aspect also allows restaurateurs and resort managers to have a line run to the unit that can be controlled by a panel.

It's also important to note that propane models have positioning restrictions just like all heaters. Each unit must be mounted at its unique safe distance from walls, ceilings, and posts. This is consistent with natural gas and electric infrared heaters.

What are the Best Infrared Heaters for Hospitality Businesses?

One of the best ways to maximize the benefits of overhead patio heaters involves angling the units. A wall-mounted box heater, for example, should be turned downward to ensure the warming rays reach people and not empty space. The same holds true when securing natural gas, liquid propane, or electric box heaters to ceilings, beams, and posts. Industry-leading products such as the following provide a variety of mounting possibilities and exceptional BTU ratings.

• Patio Comfort: Generating 40,000 BTU, this portable mushroom heater houses a 5-gallon liquid propane tank in its base. Fuel efficient, one tank lasts upwards of 10 hours and delivers a 12-foot circular throw radius. The Patio Comfort heaters also come in vintage, jet-silver, stainless steel, and bronze finishes.
• Sunglo: This mushroom heater is designed to accommodate natural gas as well as liquid propane. It’s a fixed-in-place option that involves setting a sturdy pole. These patio heaters also deliver a 12-foot circular throw radius.
• Sunpak: This line of overhead box heaters generates 25,000 to 34,000 BTU and is a perfect option for semi-enclosed spaces. Available in a black or stainless steel finish, Sunpak heaters cover up to 144 square feet, depending on the installation angle.
• Sunstar: Using natural gas or liquid propane, the Sunstar heater pushes out upwards of 34,000 BTU over 144 square feet. These units need to be established at a height between 7 and 10 feet. Sunstar infrared heaters can be mounted at 60-degree angles. The line also has a marine grade option for areas with severe seasonal weather.
• Infratech: This class of box heater is conveniently powered by electricity. With an energy efficiency rating of 90 percent, electric patio heaters are an excellent solution for all-season rooms and semi-enclosed spaces.

Perfecting a patio heating strategy with these industry-leading AEI infrared heaters can be complex. Business owners can get some guidance on how many heaters they would need to efficiently keep their patio space warm for their customers by contacting AEI Corp.