Outdoor Heaters: Types and Safety

GARDEN · UNITED KINGDOM

Outdoor Heaters: Types and Safety

Electric, gas and firepits, running costs, carbon monoxide and siting

Outdoor heating extends the useful part of the year, and the different types carry very different costs and risks.

Electric heaters

Infrared and halogen heaters warm objects and people directly rather than the air, which is why they work outdoors where convection heat blows away. They are instant, silent and produce no fumes.

They must be rated for outdoor use with a proper IP rating, plugged into an outdoor socket protected by an RCD. Never use an indoor heater outside or run one from a domestic extension lead.

Gas patio heaters

Powerful and expensive to run, and they burn fuel, which means they produce carbon monoxide. Outdoors in open air that is manageable; under an enclosed gazebo, in a tent or in a garage it is dangerous.

Never use one in an enclosed or partly enclosed space. Change cylinders outdoors away from ignition sources, check the hose and regulator each season, and store cylinders upright outside.

Firepits and chimineas

Pleasant and the least controllable. Keep them well away from fences, buildings and overhanging branches, on a non-combustible base, with water to hand.

Never bring a cooling firepit or barbecue indoors or into a tent, since it continues producing carbon monoxide long after the flames are out. People die every year doing exactly this.

Running cost

Multiply an electric heater's kilowatts by your unit rate for the hourly cost. Gas heaters consume a cylinder surprisingly quickly at full output.

The cheaper approach

Windbreaks, blankets and a sheltered corner do a great deal for nothing. Wind removes more warmth than cold air does.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Fit one in any room with a fuel-burning appliance and take a portable one if you use a caravan, a boat or a shepherd's hut. They cost very little and carbon monoxide has no smell.

Test alarms monthly and replace them at the end of their stated life.

Storage

Store gas cylinders upright, outdoors, away from drains and never in a cellar or under stairs, since the gas is heavier than air.

Extending the season sensibly

A covered area, a windbreak and good outdoor lighting change how much a garden gets used more than heat does. Fabric and rattan furniture with cushions matter more than people expect on a cool evening.

Check any outdoor electrics are rated for the location and protected by an RCD.

Fire safety

Keep a bucket of water or a hose to hand around any flame, never leave one unattended, and let ashes cool completely before disposal in a metal container.

Neighbours and air quality

Smoke affects neighbours and air quality, and some areas restrict burning. Check local rules before lighting anything.

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