Stop Letting Your Patio Go Cold in the Winter
Most restaurant patios basically turn into ghost towns the second the temperature drops. It’s a waste of great space. We fix that with waterproof infrared heaters. The trick here is that these don’t try to heat the wind—which is a losing battle—they heat the people and the furniture. For you, that means more people in seats and more tables turning over, even when it’s freezing outside. How it actually works Think of it like the sun. You know how you can feel the warmth on your skin even if there’s a chilly breeze? That’s radiant heat. We use short or medium-wave emitters because they cut right through the wind. Your guests won’t be shivering in a “cold draft” while a space heater struggles to warm up the air around them. They just feel warm. Instantly. The gritty details Since these live outside, they have to be tough. We only use units rated IPX4 or higher. Basically, that means a bit of rain or some heavy morning dew isn’t going to fry your wiring. We also go with high-wattage elements so you aren’t waiting twenty minutes for the patio to feel cozy. But, a quick heads-up: check your electrical panel first. If you throw a bunch of 2kW heaters on one circuit, you’re going to trip a breaker. It’s a headache you don’t need. We usually suggest running dedicated lines for bigger patios. It keeps the power steady and the heat strong. Is it worth the cost? When your patio stays open year-round, it’s a steady stream of money instead of a seasonal gamble. When people feel a comfortable 22°C (72°F) at their table, they don’t rush inside. They stay for another round of drinks or a few more appetizers. Now, the trade-off is the electric bill. High wattage costs money. The way to handle that is with zoned controllers or timers. There’s no point in burning cash to heat an empty deck at 3 AM. Also, hang them about 2.5 to 3 meters up. That way, your guests’ torsos stay warm without them feeling like their heads are being baked.