Heating Outdoor Dining Spaces Efficiently
“Weather control, which may not seem very profound, but outdoor dining often has an inherent draw simply because it's not inside. While the average person spends the majority of their day indoors, often staring at a computer screen, the outdoors open-up the beauty and splendor of all that mother nature has to offer, which is sometimes poor weather.” - Fast Casual
So, what options do you have when seeking to keep your diners warm and comfortable?
Avoiding heat loss & loss of floor space
Perhaps the biggest decision you make when considering outdoor heating solutions is whether to choose an electric or gas solution.
In terms of gas, the choice is largely limited to patio-heater type products. The main problem with these is that the heat isn’t directed very well so a large part of the heat, as much as 70%, goes to heat the sky. This isn’t good for your budget or the environment. In some cases a restaurant can expect to have a heating bill of $30,000 per month for natural gas, since the area needs to be properly ventilated for safety reasons.
Another drawback is that they require a large amount of floor space - which comes at a premium in the hospitality business. The safety aspect is also an important consideration, as with all gas appliances. There have been incidents of customers being burnt by gas heaters toppling over.
With the drawbacks of gas, it is not surprising that architects, designers and owners are increasingly turning to electric heating solutions.
If you are concerned about ambience, the appearance of your décor and creating a more relaxing environment, infrared quartz elements are also a good choice. Infrared quartz elements provide comfortable medium wave heat. Other products with short wave halogen elements produce more intense heat while emitting very bright and harsh-colored light. By contrast, quartz infrared medium wave elements effectively heat your space, while providing a soft, warm glow that is practically unnoticeable.. Another key advantage to infrared heating elements it can be used in an enclosed space to protect guests from wind, rain and excessive sun exposure.
“An obvious but crucial key to a successful outdoor dining experience is mitigating the unpredictability of the weather.”
Quartz infrared heating solutions -up to 96% efficient
Electric quartz Infrared heating is possibly the most efficient alternative to other established heating methods..
In contrast to other heating solutions, an electric infrared heater only heats surfaces rather than the air around it. So it warms diners using outdoor areas but doesn’t heat the air around them. It works by the same principle by which the sun makes us feel warm, without the harmful UV radiation. Like the sun’s rays, infrared heating offers an attractive, gentle and natural feeling heat that warms outdoor areas extremely effectively.
One of the huge benefits of infrared heating is its energy efficiency, especially in the outdoor setting. Whereas other outdoor heaters typically achieve 40% efficiency, a modern infrared heater can reach efficiency levels of 96%.
What to look for when choosing an infrared heating solution
IP rating. IP (Ingress Protection) Safety Classification code. If you are planning to install infrared heating in an outdoor or exposed area, choosing an IP rated product is essential to make sure that water and moisture in the air cannot cause damage or danger.
Reflector. There are various options available for reflectors which can give a different tone depending on what is required for the environment. Gold, for example, is highly effective in reducing glare.
Heat Coverage Area. This will allow you to match the product type to your specific needs.
Longevity. The replaceable lamp elements can have a lifespan of around 5000-7000hrs.
The Case for Enclosing Outdoor Dining Space
Makes outdoor space more useable and comfortable
Protects from wind, rain, sun and other elements
Allows maximum natural light to flood in
Protects furniture from UV rays and turbulent weather
Requires little maintenance
Reduces noise significantly
Provides added safety for occupants
For outdoor dining enclosure ideas read the previous blog post: Open Restaurant Design: Increased Capacity, Increased Revenue
