Check out 3 of the best environmentally friendly infrared patio heaters that will cut your carbon footprint
As autumn and winter approach and the weather gets colder patio heaters become an important garden accessory for keeping friends and family warm outside.
There are typically two types of patio heaters to choose from- gas or electric-powered and choosing the right one that is both energy efficient and good for the environment is important.
However not all outdoor patio heaters are created equally and electric heaters (also known as infrared panel heaters) are hands down more environmentally friendly and thus better for the environment.
So to help you choose I’ve put together 3 of the best eco-friendly outdoor patio heaters based on three categories – Best value, most eco-friendly and best all-rounder.
Outdoor patio heaters: Electric vs Gas
First off it’s good to know what makes an outdoor patio heater environmentally friendly.
To figure this out let’s compare the two main types of heaters – Gas and electric or infrared patio heaters
- Electric heaters produce 6.5 times less Co2 emissions than gas powered patio heaters. This means they also cost 6.5 times more to run
- A 13kw gas powered heater costs £1.20 per hour compared to 0.18p per hour for a electric patio heater
- Gas heaters can give off fumes and are noisy, whereas electric heaters are silent, clean and emit no smelly fumes
- Gas patio heaters heat the entire room resulting in 70% loss of heat, especially in windy conditions, whereas electric heaters heat warm objects around them, which in short means people.
- Gas heaters can be more difficult to switch on, especially when it’s windy. You also don’t have to worry about running out of power unexpectedly.
Buyers guide
When buying the best eco-friendly outdoor patio heater for your needs there are a few things you may want to consider before making a decision on which one to buy:
IP Rating
The IP (Ingress Protection) ratings are an international standard that is used to define the sealed effectiveness of electrical enclosures from things like dirt and moisture (water).
So for example an electric patio heater that has a rating of IP34 is protected from water spray from any direction and a model that is rated IP65 is protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction. The higher the IP rating the more waterproof the product is.
Freestanding or wall/ceiling mounted?
Another factor you may want to consider when purchasing an outdoor patio heater is if you want a freestanding or wall/ceiling mounted model.
A freestanding model can pretty much be used straight out of the box and is more mobile, which means it can be used indoors. Wall-mounted models on the other hand are fixed will take a bit more time to set up and may need a qualified electrician to mount the unit.
However, it’s worth noting that wall-mounted models are more space-saving and usually come with a higher IP rating than their freestanding counterparts.
1. Pro Breeze Halogen Infrared Patio Heater
Best Value*
Product features:
- Remote control
- Ceiling or wall mounted
- 2 x heat setting (1kw/2kw)
- IP65 rating (suitable for outdoor use)
- Large heating area
- Fast warm-up
- 45 degree adjustment
Pro’s
- Remote controlled
- Fast warm up
- 2 x heat settings
- Best value
- Space saving
Con’s
- Wall mounted
- May need extra expertise to set-up
First up on the list is the best value, eco-friendly Pro Breeze Halogen Infrared Patio Heater. It comes with a good range of features for the price which includes a remote control so you can adjust the position and temperature of the patio heater, fast warm-up and 2 x heat settings.
It also has a high waterproof rating of IP65 which means it’s protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction.
The main downside of this eco-friendly outdoor patio heater is that despite being space-saving it is a wall or ceiling mounted model. This means you will need additional expertise and equipment to fit it, which may deter some people who want a panel heater that works straight out of the box.
Buy now on Amazon at the latest price
2. Luxeva Carbon Infrared Floor Heater Patio Heater
Product features:
- 2000 watts
- Aluminium casing
- Freestanding
- 98% maximum energy efficiency
- Special dust cover
- IP34 rating
Pro’s
- Freestanding
- Aluminium casing (eco-friendly material)
Con’s
- No remote control
- Lower IP rating
Up next is the Luxeva Carbon Infrared Floor Heater Patio Heater.
This model is the most environmentally friendly patio heater on the list. It has a very high energy efficiency rating of 98% which makes it a good eco-friendly choice as it consumes less energy than comparable models and has an aluminium casing, which is the most environmentally material on the planet.
Another advantage is it’s freestanding which means it’s pretty much ready to go out of the box. You don’t need additional equipment or expertise to fit it, as opposed to wall-mounted models.
It’s also more mobile because it’s not fixed so you can use it for heating indoor areas such as large rooms, offices or studios.
However, a small drawback with this infrared patio heater and why it hasn’t won the best all-rounder is it doesn’t come with a remote control, which for some could be a dealbreaker.
Buy now on Amazon at the latest price
3. FUTURA Deluxe Wall Mounted Electric Infrared Outdoor Garden Patio Heater
Best all-rounder*
Product features:
- 2500 watts
- High wattage
- 3 x heat settings (800/1600/2500 kws)
- 24 month guarantee
- 2x remote controls
- Large surface heating area (25 m2)
- IP65 water rating
- Space-saving
Pros
- High temperature of 2500 watts
- 3 x heat settings
- Comes with 2 remotes
- Comes with a 24 month manufacturers warranty
Con’s
- Wall mounted
- May need extra expertise to set-up
Now we move on to the best allrounder, the FUTURA Deluxe Wall Mounted Electric Infrared Outdoor Garden, Patio Heater.
It makes up for not being a freestanding model in my book by having 3 x heat temperatures which go up to a toasty 2500 watts (perfect for cold winter months); has 2x remote controls (a spare one in the event one is lost; comes with a generous 24 months warranty, and a high waterproof rating of IP65.
And because of the high temperatures it creates, it can heat people across large areas up to 25 m2, which is perfect for large patio areas.
Buy now on Amazon at the latest price
Related articles:
Key takeaway
If you are on a budget then I recommend going for the Pro Breeze Halogen Infrared Patio Heater (best value). It comes with a good range of features for the price such as a remote control and 2 x heat setting and can be fitted to the wall or ceiling.
If on the other hand buying the best environmentally friendly outdoor patio heater is top of your list then I definitely recommend the Luxeva Carbon Infrared Floor Heater Patio Heater (most eco-friendly). It has the highest energy efficiency rating of the three patio heaters on the list, meaning it consumes less energy (and saves on energy bills) and is made from a highly recyclable metal (aluminium).
It is also a freestanding model which makes it easier to set up and is mobile so you can use it both indoors and out.
And finally, if you have a bit more of a budget and don’t mind fitting the patio heater to the wall then go for the best all-rounder FUTURA Deluxe Wall Mounted Electric Infrared Outdoor Garden Patio Heater.
It has three heat settings and produces the highest amount of heat at 2500 watts, which means it can heat large areas up to 25 m2; comes with a high IP rating; has 2 remotes and a generous 24 months manufacturer’s warranty for extra peace of mind.
Sources:
