Most economical way to heat patio

Itismehonest

Lots of pompous presumption here that the OP has control over who will be using the patio & what clothes they wear.

From OP previous posts (where he was asking about bulk buying for a B&B) I took it to mean that he may not have.

I guess to be really MSE, OP, you'd have to make your guests suffer the entire winter without heating but gallantly offer them an extra blanket? :rotfl:
I think your establishment would be more likely to turn up on the holiday rants board with people screaming about being cold & wanting refunds than being awarded any ecological prize.

Davesnave

Itismehonest wrote: »

I guess to be really MSE, OP, you'd have to make your guests suffer the entire winter without heating but gallantly offer them an extra blanket? :rotfl:

I think that the last few summers have been a great argument in favour of verandahs rather than simple 'patios.' Maybe the OP has something like that, although it's not stated. It would repay the effort, I'm sure.

As for sitting out in the winter.....well, I was once viewed as something of a pervert for barbecuing in the February snow, but that was when I was still a townie. Now, I can get up to what I like in the privacy of my own back yard.

lostinrates

Itismehonest wrote: »

Lots of pompous presumption here that the OP has control over who will be using the patio & what clothes they wear.

From OP previous posts (where he was asking about bulk buying for a B&B) I took it to mean that he may not have.

I guess to be really MSE, OP, you'd have to make your guests suffer the entire winter without heating but gallantly offer them an extra blanket? :rotfl:
I think your establishment would be more likely to turn up on the holiday rants board with people screaming about being cold & wanting refunds than being awarded any ecological prize.

Well, while I think this is a good point, I think it's safe to assume most people b and b-ing in uk can be expected to be responsible for at tiring themselves appropriately. These same holiday makers might, for example. Not heat their patios at home for the same reasons as pointed out as a down side.

I have to say these things at restaurants etc are a bit of a bête noir for me, I despise them, so while you might feel that presumptions are pompous I feel that it's somewhat off to suggest they are necessairly expected at a commercial venture or required.


Something thaty you cook on while you sit I view a bit differently (though accept there is hypo racy in that) and that seems a sensible way to eek out a few extra nights outside.


I think dave is also right to say that we might all have to consider covered areas.

My veranda/loggia came down this week for building works and it's amazing the differenc ethics has made to rain penetration at the back of my house (but also how much lighter the house is!). I use that area year round in all but the strongest winds to dry clothes and feed dirty dogs.

Itismehonest

lostinrates wrote: »

Well, while I think this is a good point, I think it's safe to assume most people b and b-ing in uk can be expected to be responsible for at tiring themselves appropriately. These same holiday makers might, for example. Not heat their patios at home for the same reasons as pointed out as a down side.

I have to say these things at restaurants etc are a bit of a bête noir for me, I despise them, so while you might feel that presumptions are pompous I feel that it's somewhat off to suggest they are necessairly expected at a commercial venture or required.


Something thaty you cook on while you sit I view a bit differently (though accept there is hypo racy in that) and that seems a sensible way to eek out a few extra nights outside.


I think dave is also right to say that we might all have to consider covered areas.

My veranda/loggia came down this week for building works and it's amazing the differenc ethics has made to rain penetration at the back of my house (but also how much lighter the house is!). I use that area year round in all but the strongest winds to dry clothes and feed dirty dogs.

It could be that the OP wants to heat the patio for drinkers, smokers or for any manner of differing reasons.
The OP knows his business - we don't. All they did was ask for the cheapest method not a whipping session over the need to be stoical, put on a thick hair shirt as an extra layer & repeat several Hail Mary's for having committed the sin of even thinking about a patio heater :rotfl:
The OP may not be able to alter (either because of planning or cost) the patio &, doing so might in itself mean it could no longer be used for the purpose they have in mind.

For every tee-totaller who thinks alcohol should be banned there's someone who enjoys a glass of wine outside as the sun goes down. For every non-smoker there's someone who enjoys an after dinner cigarette or cigar. For every pet lover there is someone who believes that animals shouldn't be allowed in places where food is prepared & served or there's someone with an allergy to pet hair who won't stay in places which take them. We're all different.
If this is for a business then it's fine being green but green, like beautiful scenery, doesn't actually pay the bills. It's happy customers that do that & that covers lots of different sorts of people

Lit_Up

Unfortunately since posting this there has been a lot of guff posted in reply. I asked a simple question - all I have received is smart-alec answers. If you can't answer the question - cheapest way to GENERATE heat for my garden, not insulate myself - then you need not reply.

I already have a firepit - am living in a dense urban area and don't want to smoke everybody out. In case you didn't realise it rains around this time of year (not good for open fires), it's windy (not good for preventing smoke from fire).

Itismehonest

Sorry, you didn't say you'd got a firepit. I suggested it as among the cheapest options. When you ask what's the cheapest way to heat a patio are you really set on having gas?
I have no personal experience of owning either a gas patio heater or an infrared (- like these) but have come across both.
Gas heaters are OK but they can't really warm the air if there are strong draughts (you mention it being windy making smoke a problem). Most of the gas could be wasted trying to heat the draughty air, I'd think.

I've heard that infrared is the cheaper option because it heats the body & not the air. The warmth is concentrated on the target (body) & doesn't just blow away.
It certainly seemed to work on the occasions I've come across it & may be worth further research.