Heatwave Wall Patio Heater

As a nation of outdoor lovers the ability to heat the outdoor areas of our garden once the sun sets and the temperature starts to drop is important to make sure we can keep the party going. With the advent of better quality outdoor heaters we have seen the rise of electric patio heaters which have some rather good advantages over their gas counterparts.

The electric patio heater has been around for quite a number of years now, but with the advance in technology of halogen lamps, has now finally become exceptionally popular. The heat they offer is instant, producing an odourless source with the ability to be directed to wherever it is required. Thanks to the source of energy being easily available, an electric patio heater saves a lot of hassle if you have it hooked up to the mains, or you can simply plug it into an adjacent socket for easy use. With no special trips to the local DIY hardware store to refill canisters that are running low on fuel, an electric patio heater really can be a fit and forget external heater which is there when you need it.

The Heatwave electric wall patio heaters are ideal for outdoor use, with the ability to be fitted to an external wall in a horizontal or vertical plane, whichever is more convenient and with 2kw heat output and an IP rating of 65 can heat a large area giving an ideal warming heater for those evenings when the temperature does starts to dip. Working from a 13A fuse, means there is no requirement for specific or professional installation. With an exclusively designed Philips infrared HeLeN gold-tube, the Heatwave Wall patio heater will offer an extremely high lamp life of anywhere between 5,000 – 7,000 hours. A solid aluminium case, features ‘Bi-focus’ reflectors to ensure an even spread of heat across a patio area.

If you have a parasol and are looking for a heater to keep the chill off you whilst entertaining, take a look at the Heatwave 4 lamp parasol heater. Perfect for offering warmth for guests under a parasol or in a gazebo environment, they work simply by clamping to a pole. The parasol heaters are of a smaller IP rating than wall heaters which is perfect in a more confined area. With 4 lamps offering directional heat, it means you are heating the areas you want and offers an economical way to heat any outdoor area. Working from a 230v AC power supply these 4 x 500w heaters can plug into a standard wall socket via the supplied 10 metre lead.

If you have not previously thought about patio heaters electric variations are a great option. With the economy of use they offer, together with great looks, they will enhance any garden area and provide a suitable heat source to keep the party going long after the sun has gone down.

Offering a fantastic simple way to introduce a little heat and comfort, table top heaters are slowly becoming more and more popular in the UK. Everyone seated around the patio table where they are located is kept nice and warm as the table top patio heater is located centrally in the middle of the table. This means the patio heater gives a nice even spread of heat, and everyone can relax knowing they’re getting the best of the heat.

Patio heaters are a great addition to your garden furniture offering an ideal, elegant option for keeping warm when the sun goes down, and when the chill becomes a little too much. They present the option of keeping the entertainment around the table going on, thanks to the even spread of heat received from the heater, and with the great looks from the stainless steel finish of products such as the Scirocco Table Top Heater for example, you can be certain your guests will stick around long after the sun has gone down.

Choosing a heater which sits high enough to be out of everyone’s way when located in the centre of the table, but close enough to offer an umbrella of warmth against the chill of the night air is most important. Heat is reflected out from the burner thanks to a large reflector which ensures everyone feels the warmth of the table top heater, so take a look at any patio heater you are thinking about and consider the size of the reflector.

Weight is also an important factor. A table top heater needs sufficient ballast to sit on a table and offer stability whilst at the same time be portable enough to move easily. The Sirocco Table top heater weighs in at approximately seven kilos making it light enough to move around, yet heavy enough to offer the required stability.

As with any patio heater regardless of size, there are other considerations to think about. A CE approved heater is a must, guaranteeing quality of build, along with making sure any heater you are looking to buy has an anti tilt safety feature making sure if the heater accidentally gets knocked over the gas supply is cut, rendering it safe. It’s also important to make sure any table top patio heater comes with its own hose and regulator so you have no need to worry about trying to find those.

Table top heaters are becoming more and more popular thanks to the advantages they offer over more traditional garden patio heater styles. With the right style of heater you can enjoy the benefits of al fresco entertaining regardless of the weather conditions, keeping family and friends entertained well into the evening outside on the patio when temperatures have dropped significantly, safe in the knowledge that all of your guests are warm and well cared for.

Garden Lighting

Have you considered adding garden lights to your outdoor area? External garden lights offer the perfect solution if you spend any time out in the garden after dark, keeping you safe from accidents such as trips and falls.

Garden lighting is ideal for creating accent lighting on patios and the more decorative areas of the garden. You can easily highlight the areas you wish to whilst keeping the likes of compost heaps and refuse bins hidden in darker corners. By creating and utilising external garden lights you can continue to make use of your outdoor space after the sun goes down, well into the night entertaining with family and friends alike.

 Garden Lights

The choice of garden lights is wide and varied. Garden lighting can create an inviting feel to your garden area, whatever style you decide on. Used on the patio or decking area, a garden light can offer an intimate area for entertaining family and friends, whilst used in a wider area throughout the garden, garden lights can provide atmospheric flickering light. Choosing a simple lantern style light such as the Manilla garden lanterns offers the simple option of being able to be moved around the garden to where needed. They can be hung from a tree branch or a wall hook or even just rested on a flat surface on a patio.

Whilst a simple lantern is perfect for moving around the garden, the Aristo Roma Garden lights offer a bold statement with their semi-circular design and separate holder. Perfect for the patio, these garden torches offer 8-10 hours burn time.

Outdoor Garden Lights

Drama and mood can easily be created through the use of outdoor garden lighting. Whilst spotlights are ideal for use for security, to create atmosphere try utilising torches and garden candles. The Aristo Chicago garden torch is a stand alone grey slate torch featuring a weather proof wick, making it ideal for use in most weather conditions. Measuring sixty centimeters tall, these garden torches will keep your guests talking.

Ambient lighting in any garden area offers an appealing, welcoming atmosphere whilst providing security and essential illumination for yourself and your guests. It’s worth bearing in mind, regardless of the type of outdoor garden lights you purchase to consider the safety aspects. Do not leave burning candles unattended and make sure pets and children are supervised around lit candles at all times.

If you are using electric lamps in the garden, ensure these are installed by a qualified electrician in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and wherever possible consider the environment by using low energy bulbs for security lights.

The range of outdoor garden lighting available offers something for everyone, with a wide range ideal for all garden areas, whether that is for the patio area or placed strategically in flower beds and borders.

With winter slowly closing in we are starting to begin to see the days shorten and soon enough temperatures will start to plummet.  Before they do, there is plenty to do in the garden and we can enjoy our time in it before we say farewell to the last of the autumn.

1. Clean Up

After an unseasonably mild September, and remember that summer was very cool by comparison and mainly pretty wet, this has had a knock on effect into the garden meaning plants and shrubs need careful tending to as we go into the winter months to ensure they are in good health for next year.

2. Maintenance for your perennials
It’s a great time to remove any plants that are seasonal – more commonly know as annuals, and put a little maintenance into the perennials that flower year after year.  By removing dead leaves and flowers now gives plants the opportunity to grow and develop without disease or rot setting in.

3. Future Growth
If you are looking for new growth next year, now is the time to consider planting spring bulbs.  The ground is still warm and inviting for new growth.  Trees, plants and shrubs can all be moved before the first snap of winter arrives.

4. Lawn Maintenance
Begin to consider your lawn for next year.  Scarify to remove moss and dead grass that has built up over the summer period.  You may need to adjust the height of the cut on your mower and consider mowing less often.  Feed with a good quality lawn feed to help your lawn survive through the winter period.

5. Furniture Cover Up
If you have furniture out in the garden, now is the time to consider moving them to indoor storage.  A quick clean down before storing should help to maintain for next year.  If you are unable to store inside, invest in good quality garden furniture covers to help protect against the harshest of the elements.  Likewise if you have a patio heater, consider your options for storage.  A simple clean down with soapy water prior to storage will help to protect over the course of the winter.

6. Bird Feeding
If you are interested in helping birds and wildlife in the garden during the colder months invest in a bird feeder.  A simple bird table makes a great addition to most outdoor areas.

7. Almost Moving into the House
As temperatures drop the use of a conservatory if you have one means you can still enjoy the garden whilst utilising your conservatory.  If you have patio heaters these can help to make a relaxing evening, giving the warmth required to keep the chill off whilst enjoying a drink with loved ones or friends.

8. Pond Solutions
If you have a pond in the garden remove any garden debris such as leaves and the like and then net it to keep the worst of any other debris out which may get blown around the garden.

9. Get your Compost in Order
If you are a keen gardener, now is a great time to turn your compost heap.  This gives it the opportunity to rot down over the winter months.  Any debris you find in the garden following a tidy up can be added, these are great sources of nutrition to help your compost.

10. Look around you
Autumn is a super time for the rich golden colours, which you will find all around.  A riot of colour can be seen from such trees and bushes whilst traditional autumn flowering plants such as the amaryllis and crocus add to the vibrancy of the season.

Patio heaters are generally manufactured from steel and stainless steel and finished in a powder coated material together with a burner made from steel plate or chrome.

For gas patio heaters predominately manufactured in Stainless steel the simplest method to eliminate water marks and other accumulated marks and stains built up over the course of the summer is with a stainless steel cleaner of some description.

Stubborn marks still remaining on the heater may often be dealt with by using a nylon brush and no damage will be done if brushing is kept the same way as the brushed stainless steel effect and without too much vigour! Highly polished items should never have a scourer applied to them, as this can cause scoring which cannot be removed.

If you own a powder coated patio heater light cleaning with a simple bucket of soapy water and a sponge should suffice for cleaning. As part of the basic maintenance, don’t forget to check wheel bearings and other parts that move along with the gas control valve and lubricate if needed. Pay particular attention to any obvious signs of corrosion and tighten nuts and bolts that have become loose.

If you do have own a budget heater then if at all possible try to avoid leaving it out during the autumn and winter months. If this cannot be helped, try using a suitable cover for protection against the worst of the elements, however be aware of any moisture build up with the cover, which could cause problems.

Regularly inspect hoses for wear and if you are unsure of any marks or nicks in the hose, replace both the hose and the clips accordingly. The gas cylinder has to be looked after with no obvious signs of dents or rusting. Look at the valve and make sure it offers a positive connection into the regulator.

Storing your heater during the winter months is simple enough; take off the reflector to store safely making sure no damage can be done to it. When the reflector has been removed the average patio heater’s size is drastically reduced and makes for far more straightforward storage in a garden shed or garage.

Use a patio heater weather cover to protect your patio heater when storing which will help keep dust from the burner. The storage of gas cylinder bottles indoors is not recommended and should be avoided.

If you store your patio heater over the autumn and winter period test patio heaters before lighting in the New Year by using a leak test and investigate for any further indicators of damage or wear to the patio heater.

Gas Patio Heaters are a great addition to any garden space or outdoor area and at this time of year really earn their money helping to extend the summer season and keep the fun of being outdoors ongoing.  Heating your patio or outside area has never been more simple and by utilising patio heaters you can keep the chill off you well after the sun has set.

Modern gas patio heaters offer a sleek design together with up to date safety features such as a thermal fuse and most, if not quite all nowadays have a flame failure device, which will cut the gas if no flame is present.  Allied to this is a tilt safety device which means the supply of gas will be cut off should the heater lean or tip over.  Not all patio heaters offer these safety features so it’s worth shopping around for those models that do.

Power output for gas patio heaters is measured in Kw or BTU’s (British Thermal Unit).  A good standing model will have a rating anywhere up to 45,000 BTU.  It maybe worth noting that any higher than 45,000BTU’s and your heater will be costly to run yet the volume of warmth will not increase greatly.  Table models as you would expect run on much lower power than their standing counterparts.

The positioning of an outdoor patio heater is important to get the most from it.  Key factors to consider are they are for outdoor use.  Therefore, if you are looking to use in a marquee plenty of ventilation and a minimum of 90cm clearance around the heater is required for safe use.  Patio Heaters should only be used on level surfaces, and the safe time to move them is when they are switched off completely and preferably cold.

When shopping for your garden heater take a look at the design.  Modern gas patio heaters offer a sleek shape with hidden access for the gas reflectors, which are often multi piece enabling them to be repaired or changed should they become damaged.  80cm is a good size of canopy for heat deflection.

Commercial patio heaters offer a wide heat circle and are very stable in construction and design, as you would imagine.  A Commercial patio heater could be your option if you have a large area to heat.

It is worth considering the type of gas fuel your chosen patio heater will run on.  Some will run on both propane and butane, however not all are designed to run on dual fuel.

The most consistent all year round fuel appears to be propane.  Generically labelled as “patio gas” this is supplied in a green cylinder and designed for a clip-on LPG propane regulator whilst a secondary type of propane can be found in an orange cylinder and works just as well.

Patio heaters are a great investment and will certainly help you to spend more time out in the garden thanks to the heat they produce.  What better way to spend an evening than with friends under the stars with a gas patio heater to keep the evening chill away.

We are at that time of the year when as the nights start to close in, the weather becomes a little too brisk to sit around outside with no additional form of heat to warm us through. Even if the weather is dry, the colder air means it’s not quite so enticing as it was during the summer months.

Outdoor heating is simple to install and utilise, and with the addition of a Fire Pit or a Chiminea to your garden, portable heat can be utilised quickly and safely.

The simple idea of a fire pit is to be able to set a fire, contain it and prevent it from spreading. Fire Pits have been around in one form or another for many years, varying from a hole in the ground to a metal dustbin as has been famously seen in the old days of striking workers picket lines.

More contemporary modern day designs are manufactured from metal, stone or concrete and feature legs which keep the pit a safe distance from the ground. Wood and charcoal are normally used to light the fire pit, however gas fire pits are starting to become available as popularity for the product increases.

Man has always had an interesting relationship with fire, from cooking and light through to heating. It brings out the primitive side of us, and having the ability to set a fire offers us the chance to extend that relationship whilst we entertain friends or simply relax with loved ones as the cooler, darker evenings draw in.

With designs ranging from simple open top pits to more sophisticated styles featuring cooking options, today is a great time to invest in a fire pit.

Outdoor Fireplace

If a fire pit doesn’t quite hit the spot for you, maybe a chiminea would suit your style. Chimineas are front-loading free standing external fires. Originally found and made in Mexico, they are becoming a popular option for any outdoor area today.

The first chimineas were manufactured from clay, and needed careful attention to ensure they were burnt in correctly and didn’t crack. Chimineas today are mainly found manufactured in cast iron and steel, and are ideal for use on cold evenings to warm a patio area safely.

Some Chimineas come complete with a supplementary grill allowing you to flame grill should you wish to offer food cooked alfresco style, or for the more adventurous wrapping a couple of potatoes in silver foil and popping them in the flames makes for lovely soft jacket potatoes.

A chiminea is a great focal point to any patio with a design that has remained largely traditional and unchanged over the years regardless of the material it has been manufactured in.

Whether you are looking for a Fire Pit, Chiminea or Outdoor Fireplace either will offer you the option of heat and warmth on colder nights enabling you to extend your evenings just that little bit longer.

There’s nothing quite like relaxing around an open fire when the temperature starts to drop on a cool evening and a chiminea is a great alternative to a patio heater. When being pestered by insects, it is possible to burn Pinonwood, which has repellent properties as well as a nice fragrant smell too.

Chimineas were previously only made from clay but these lacked strength and durability.  In more recent times chimineas have been manufactured from either cast iron as well as steel. Strengthened clay chimineas can be found and are often known as Bushman Burners.

Original chimineas were first found in Mexico where they had been utilised en masse for cooking and retaining warmth.  In Mexico, whenever the cooking container or chiminea cracked and fell apart, folks would simply scoop more mud from the waterway and fix the break.  A burning in process is recommended with clay chimineas if you wish to get the most from them, and avoid short-term issues.  Firstly, to seal the outside of the bowl and neck, and secondly to season the inside of the firebox with a series of small fires in the bowl of the fireplace.  Some chimineas require a sealant to be applied to the outside, this can be rubbed into the surface to close the pores and cracks to stop moisture getting into the surface and consequently cracking.  Seasoning the fireplace takes place by burning up to 10 small fires and letting the burnt ashes seal the pores and cracks naturally.

Once the outside surface is seasoned and the fireplace has been set with several small fires, you can start to enjoy larger fires.
Cast iron chimineas can be found in many patterns and colours.  A few have a supplementary grill which means your chiminea may be used for flame grilling.  These, by tradition are completely sand cast in reliable cast iron.  Cast iron is going to surface rust after some time, which may only be superficial and will not impact on the function of your chiminea.  Cast iron styles are far more able to hold a fire and will offer quite a bit more heat than traditional clay chimineas.  The thicker steels retain heat better meaning you get a good-looking fire for your patio, and you also enjoy the heat benefits after the fire calms down.

The Chiminea is the perfect accessory to any outside area offering a new modern day look to a very old traditional favourite.

Do you remember the time before patio heaters? As dusk fell during those summer evenings if you wanted to sit outside a cardigan or long sleeved shirt was required. When patio heaters finally did come along, the first type of heaters available were heavy and cumbersome, not particularly reliable and never had fuel in them quite when you most needed it most.

Nowadays it is possible to extend your summer evenings with our range of eco friendly electric patio heaters that offer a true alternative to traditional gas patio heaters. Offering an instant heat source, they give you the option to heat your patio quickly and efficiently at the flick of a switch and with the ability to aim heat where it’s needed even in windy conditions.

Electric patio heaters have lots of advantages; by virtue of their power source they are instant and odour free. They release no harmful emissions and offer superior performance compared to their gas counterparts. Together with their silent running and energy efficiency, electric patio heaters make a great choice for today’s outdoor environment.

They are different to gas patio heaters in that they are more flexible in design. There is more variety of styles available including a low profile style which co ordinates with many alternative décor styles, not just the traditional freestanding type. For example, some electric patio heaters can be mounted on a wall in a vertical or horizontal plane.

When using your patio heater under a parasol or gazebo consideration should be made with regards to the IP rating which some heaters are marked with. This is the protection class of the heater and the greater the IP rating the better. However, if used under a parasol or a gazebo a lower IP rating may suffice. Heaters such as the Heatwave Wall Patio Heater have a rating of IP65, making it a very safe  heater to use in almost all applications. This particular model features an exclusively designed infrared HeLeN gold-tube and achieves a very high lamp life of between 5,000-7,000 hours.

If you are looking to heat a parasol or a gazebo, then electric patio heaters are ideal. The Heatwave 4 lamp parasol heater for example is a lightweight four-way halogen heater that can be mounted within a gazebo or parasol. It is ideal for taking the chill off the evening when you want to relax and with a light incorporated into its design there is no need to look any further for external lighting. Many Electric patio heaters have waterproof features, making them ideal for use in any weather.

If you need advice on any aspect of purchasing or supply on the range of Electric Patio Heaters we stock and supply, including style or the IP rating required, please do not hesitate to contact us, we would be more than happy to advise you.

With summer being here, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy your outside space entertaining friends and family alike, however when the temperature starts to drop as dusk falls, a Patio heater can be a great addition to the garden area, and I’ve recently found the options available to us are increasing more than ever before.

In the old days gas patio heaters were intermittent the way they ran, expensive to use and invariably ran out of gas just when you needed them.  They were very much eco-unfriendly and if the local Friends of the Earth Rep saw one in your garden, you’d certainly come in for some abuse from him!

Of course, as with all things in life technology moves on, and nowadays the patio heater has become a much more economical, reliable, eco-friendly addition to the garden.

Gas patio heaters today can be found manufactured to operate on propane, butane or natural gas and are very flexible offering the user a simple clean way of heating any outside area, and offer a much lower carbon emission per kilowatt of heat produced over their electric counterpart. They have an ability to heat in seconds, and unlike electric there are no wires to fall over when darkness prevails.  With high energy burners they offer a big step up from the old gas guzzlers of yesterday.

Electric patio heaters offer a real alternative to traditional gas heaters.  With an instant heat source, they don’t smell, they are energy efficient and silent.  A good selection of electric patio heaters are fully waterproof and can be mounted in a variety of different ways such as horizontally for example.  Unlike Gas, they are not just the traditional freestanding type.  If you are thinking about an electric patio heater then there are considerations to be made such as the IP rating which some heaters are marked with.  If you are using outdoors but under a parasol or the like then a lower IP rated heater may suffice. Likewise, avoid cheap – buy the best heater you can afford.

Whether or not you choose to go gas or electric will depend on a number of options.  Running costs of electric patio heaters can be kept low without compromise as the heater can be switched off when not required and heat can be instant when required.  Gas patio heaters invariably offer a maximum output of 13kW with commercial patio heaters offering upto 15kW and are portable to the point of use very quickly.

As with most garden products, a huge array of accessories are available for your heater such as a directional tilt reflector kit enabling you to focus the heat where you want it.  The kit offers the ability to tilt the head of the heater optimizing the heat spread, which maximizes efficiency.  Along with this, a range of covers in different colours can be found to accommodate the wide variances in shapes and sizes of all heaters and these are worth spending a few hard earned pounds on to keep that patio heater investment in tip top condition.