How outdoor heating can fire up winter profits

How outdoor heating can fi re up winter profi ts

By Kate Jackson, Industry Reporter

Kiwis love the great outdoors and have a unique relationship with it.

Let us be honest, even when we are at home we would rather be out on the deck. Nothing quite matches the satisfaction of a deck, and that thirst means we are drawn to exterior spaces all year round.

Accom owners able to extend their outdoor season using cost-eff ective heating solutions will reap the benefi ts of allowing guests to enjoy gardens, terraces, courtyards, pool decks and smoking areas, even when the nights draw in and the air turns chilly. Having an inviting outdoor space to market can not only put bott oms on your polyprop chairs, but dollars on your bott om line.

Industry viewpoint

As Nigel Smalls, director of SBH Solutions told us: “If you are a hotel or resort, off ering additional

If you are a hotel or resort, off ering additional areas for patrons gives them more space and the opportunity to stay outside for longer.

areas for patrons gives them more space and the opportunity to stay outside for longer.

“How to do this most cost eff ectively, and increasingly importantly, energy and environmentally more eff ectively, is the question.”

Safety

Safety is the number one priority when considering your outdoor heating options. Level surfaces which can hold plenty of weight are essential when considering where to place standalone outdoor heaters, while sheltered sites out of high wind areas are also important, with heaters kept a safe distance from low-hanging branches or other combustibles.

Safety switches are another essential feature. Propane gas heaters should have a tip-over safety switch for automatic shutoff if the gas is knocked over, while all heaters should have an internal safety switch that turns them off if they get too hot and become a fi re hazard. Cooltouch glass is standard on most commercial outdoor heaters and safety approval certifi cation, issued by either UL or CSA, ensures all safety requirements have been evaluated and met for each heater.

Heating options

When it comes to commercial outdoor heating options, gas, infrared and electric heaters are the three main options.

Most models across the board claim a level of environmental friendliness - with green credentials boosted by a concerted eff ort by manufacturers to enhance effi ciency and cut emissions - and a focus on design in recent years means new heaters can fi t seamlessly into att ractive exterior spaces. The key when selecting a heater is to fi nd what works best in terms of energy effi ciency and eff ectiveness for your space.

Outdoor spaces with ceilings up to four metres can use both gas-fi red and electrically powered high intensity heaters while mid-intensity electric heaters may be more suitable for low-ceilinged spaces.

Zone controls, timers and movement-triggered remotes and switches all allow for bett er fuel effi ciency by ensuring only areas actually being used by guests are heated.

Gas heaters throw out more heat than standard electric long wave or medium wave heaters. Propane-bott led, mushroom-shaped gas heaters off er fl exibility of positioning as they can be wheeled around, but are generally un-fl ued, which means they cannot be positioned in an enclosed area because they release carbon monoxide. Bott les need replacing every ten hours or so, and there are risks associated with the possibility of the heaters being tipped over.

Natural gas heaters are usually fi xed into position on fl oors or walls and plumbed by a licensed gasfi tt er. The gas doesn’t run

…A focus on design in recent years means new heaters can fi t seamlessly into att ractive exterior spaces.

out and they are fi ne to run indoors, but they do require an expensive installation. Electric radiant heaters just need to be plugged into a regular electric socket, but more are required to heat the same area as gas heaters. They produce a soft , ambient light and heat and are safe to mount on walls, and under shade sails, umbrellas and other fabric coverings. Infrared heaters, the newest kids on the block, provide a gentle warmth that can feel more comfortable than conventional radiant heat as they heat objects in a space rather than the air. They provide a penetrating and even heat that does not dry out the air and are more effi cient than conventional electric heaters. Medium to far infrared heaters primarily heat air, which means if the wind is blowing you lose the heat to the atmosphere, whereas short wave models radiate heat off surfaces and people. The air is heated by reradiation off the surfaces, so the comfort felt does not blow away.

The radiant effi ciency of short wave heaters is also high, which means fewer heaters are needed to cover an area and energy costs are lower.

Good for heating outdoor and indoor areas, the drawback of short wave is that its brightness can appear too harsh. Manufacturers have learned to tackle this by coating the lamps or refl ectors with gold colour, which gives more of an amber ambient light - like that from a wood fi re.