Outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popular, with more Australians than ever investing in garden improvements to enhance their homes. Reflecting this trend, the global outdoor heating market was valued at USD 1.27 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 2.15 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period, according to a study by Fortune Business Insights. This surge indicates a growing interest in creating comfortable, year-round outdoor environments where outdoor heaters play a crucial role.
Strategically placing outdoor heaters is essential for maximising comfort and ensuring that your garden remains inviting even during the cooler months. Proper placement enhances heat distribution and provides safety, making your outdoor space warm and secure.
In this blog, you’ll learn the best spots for placing electric outdoor heaters to achieve efficient heat distribution and maintain safety, transforming your garden into a cosy retreat.
Planning the Layout of Your Garden
When designing your outdoor space, it’s crucial to understand the different zones and how to heat them effectively. Each part of your garden, from seating areas to pathways, has unique outdoor heating needs. Here’s what to consider when choosing and placing your patio heater.
Garden Zones
Your garden may have multiple zones, such as seating areas, outdoor dining spaces, pathways, and entertainment zones. Each space requires a different type of outdoor heating solution. For instance, a covered patio might benefit from a wall-mounted infrared heater, while an open seating area could use an electric patio heater. Choosing the right patio heater for each zone ensures your outdoor space remains warm and inviting.
Space Considerations
When placing your patio heater, consider the layout and size of each zone. Smaller spaces may need compact electric patio heaters, while larger areas require more powerful outdoor infrared heaters. The heat output of your heater should match the size of your outdoor space to maintain comfort and efficiency.
Accessibility
Accessibility to power sources is a critical factor when placing electric outdoor heaters. Ensure your patio heater is near an outlet to avoid long, hazardous cords. If you’re using an outdoor infrared heater, ensure it’s positioned where it can effectively warm your space. For an outdoor patio heater, consider its placement and ease of use.
By carefully planning the layout of your garden, you can place your patio heater in the optimal spot, ensuring safe and effective heating for all your outdoor spaces.
Best Spots for Placing Outdoor Heaters
When it comes to outdoor heating, the placement of your patio heater plays a significant role in ensuring comfort and warmth across different zones of your garden.
Seating Areas
Close Proximity to Seating
Placing your outdoor heater near seating areas is crucial for maintaining comfort during cooler months. The best patio heater placement is often overhead or along the perimeter of the seating area to create a cosy, inviting atmosphere.
Electric patio heaters can be mounted on walls or ceilings, while portable outdoor patio heaters can be strategically placed around the seating space. Positioning heaters close to where people sit ensures that the warmth is concentrated where needed most, enhancing the overall outdoor living experience.
Height Considerations
The height at which outdoor heaters are placed directly impacts how effectively they distribute warmth. The ideal height is typically between 2 to 2.5 metres for wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted electric heaters. This height allows the radiant heat to spread evenly over the seating area without causing discomfort from being too close.
Dining Spaces
Warmth While Dining
Placing outdoor heaters around dining areas is essential for creating a comfortable outdoor dining experience, especially during cooler evenings. Warmth is key to ensuring your guests remain comfortable, allowing them to enjoy meals without the chill disrupting the atmosphere.
Strategic Placement
Consider placing patio heaters at either end of the dining table or using an overhead heater for optimal warmth. This setup ensures even heat distribution across the entire dining area.
Directional heaters are particularly effective as they can be adjusted to focus warmth precisely where needed, creating a cosy dining environment. Overhead infrared heaters also provide consistent heat without wasting valuable floor space, making them ideal for outdoor dining spaces.
Pathways and Entrances
Safe and Welcoming
Heaters placed along garden pathways or near entrances create a warm and welcoming environment and enhance safety. Outdoor infrared heaters can be strategically positioned to provide well-lit, warm pathways, reducing the risk of accidents while adding a layer of comfort as guests move through your garden. This thoughtful placement ensures your outdoor space remains inviting and safe, even on the chilliest nights.
Safety Considerations for Placing Outdoor Heaters
Australian Standards Compliance
Adhering to Australian standards to ensure safety is crucial when installing electric outdoor heaters. These standards, AS/NZS 60335.2.30 for electric heaters, provide guidelines on the safe installation and use of outdoor heating appliances.
Compliance with these standards helps prevent accidents, such as electrical faults or fire hazards, ensuring your outdoor space remains safe for use. Always consult a licensed electrician or installer to ensure your heater meets these requirements.
Clearances and Positioning
Proper clearances are essential for the safe operation of your outdoor heater. It is recommended that you maintain a minimum clearance of 1.5 metres from flammable materials, including furniture, plants, and fabrics.
For wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted heaters, ensure there’s at least a 100mm gap between the ceiling and walls to prevent overheating or accidental ignition. These guidelines help ensure that your heater operates safely without posing a risk to your outdoor space.
Weather Protection
To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your outdoor heater, it’s important to place it in an area sheltered from strong winds and rain. Weather-resistant heaters, often made from stainless steel or with an IP rating, are ideal for outdoor use as they are designed to withstand harsh Australian weather conditions. Protecting your heater from the elements not only ensures it lasts longer but also maintains its safety and efficiency.
Enhancing Aesthetics with Heater Placement
Seamless Integration
Outdoor heaters can be integrated into your garden’s design without disrupting the visual appeal. To achieve this, choose heaters that complement the existing aesthetic of your outdoor space. For example, sleek, stainless steel electric patio heaters can blend seamlessly with modern garden designs, while more rustic spaces might benefit from heaters with a natural finish or earthy tones. Opting for subtle, wall-mounted, or ceiling-mounted heaters can also help maintain a clean, uncluttered look.
Creative Placement Ideas
Creative placement of heaters can further enhance the aesthetics of your garden. Consider concealing heater units behind decorative elements like lattice screens or placing them within pergolas or other garden structures.
Creating a Comfortable Ambiance
Strategically placing outdoor heaters not only provides warmth but also helps create a comfortable ambience in your garden. Many outdoor heaters, particularly infrared models, emit a soft, glowing light that adds to the overall mood. Placing these heaters near seating or dining areas can help balance warmth with gentle illumination, enhancing the atmosphere of your outdoor space.
Using heaters that double as lighting sources allows you to create a cosy, inviting environment that encourages relaxation and enjoyment, even after the sun goes down.
Your Garden, Your Sanctuary
Thoughtfully placing outdoor heaters in key areas of your garden can transform it into a year-round sanctuary. Whether it’s the seating areas, dining spaces, or pathways, each zone benefits from the warmth and ambience that well-positioned heaters provide. By strategically selecting and placing outdoor heaters, you can extend the usability of your garden beyond the warmer months, creating an inviting space where you, your family, and your guests can relax and enjoy the outdoors, no matter the season.
Imagine your garden as a cosy retreat, where a warm, comforting glow greets you on cool evenings, and every corner is perfectly heated, making the space welcoming and functional all year round. This vision can become a reality with the right outdoor heating solutions tailored to your needs and the unique layout of your garden.
To explore the best outdoor heating options for your garden, look no further than Kenner Electrics. We offer professional outdoor heating services designed specifically for your Melbourne home, ensuring that your outdoor space is both beautiful and comfortable. Contact Kenner Electrics today for expert consultation and installation, and let us help you create an outdoor sanctuary that you can enjoy throughout the year.
