Max. power
The highest heat output that a patio heater is capable of delivering. This parameter directly determines the area that the device can heat: every 100 W of thermal power approximately corresponds to 1 m2 of the heated area. So, having data on power, it is possible to determine to a certain extent the space covered by the unit.
At the same time, it is worth noting that at high power values, the formula “100 W per 1 m2” is somewhat out of date. This is because when moving away from the heater, heat losses increase, and more power is required to heat distant areas than for close ones. Therefore, for gas models, which have indicators of 4 kW and above, slightly different calculation methods are used.
In addition to all this, it is worth bearing in mind that in models with mains power supply (see above), the maximum power actually corresponds to the total energy consumption of the heater. Therefore, this information will be useful for assessing the expected consumption of electricity and the load on the power mains.
Heating diameter
The heating diameter determines the size of the comfort zone around the outdoor heater. If the heating diameter is 10 metres, then the heat will spread 5 metres from the heater in each direction. The heating diameter is closely related to both the heat output of the heater and the fuel consumption.
Gas consumption
Both the diameter of the heating zone and the time of continuous operation of the heater depend on the gas flow. Gas consumption is measured in kilograms per hour (kg/h). On average, a heater with a power of 10 kW consumes about 1 kg/h while heating a zone with a diameter of up to 6-10 m.
Safety features
Protective systems provided in the design of the patio heater.
—
Overheat protection. A system that monitors the temperature of the device and turns off the power or gas supply (depending on the energy source) when it rises critically. Note that the cause of such an increase can be both a malfunction in the heater itself and external factors — for example, installation in a cramped place or covering the emitter with foreign objects. Anyway, overheating is fraught with accidents and even fires, and protection against it will not be superfluous.
—
Water resistance. Special housing design that protects the sensitive elements of the heater from moisture. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to use the heater in adverse conditions, for example, during rain and snowfall. This function is relevant primarily for electric models because gas is insensitive to moisture and does not require special protection. Note that the degree of protection against moisture (and, accordingly, suitability for certain conditions) may be different; these points are indicated in more detail in the instructions or other official documents. In addition, the presence of this feature in itself does not guarantee the suitability of the heater for a long stay in conditions of high humidity — even if the protection is reliable enough for this, individual parts may corrode.
—
Tip-over protection.... A system that automatically switches off the heater in the event of a tipping. Most modern outdoor heaters have a vertical layout and are designed to work in a "standing" position; a fall, usually, leads to a violation of the operating mode, which in turn is fraught with various unpleasant consequences. The surface on which the heater has fallen can be a fire hazard. This type of protection is provided to avoid possible troubles in such incidents.
