Once the exclusive property of bars and restaurants, gas and electric patio heaters for home use have gained in popularity in recent years.
Permanent and portable heaters are available in a variety of models and prices, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, including installation.
According to Kamyar Filsoofi, the founder and owner of Pro Gas North Shore, spending a little more money and getting a professional installation is usually the best deal in the long run. Filsoofi specializes in permanent installations, generally mounting heaters on the wall or ceiling.
"The advantage of that is they don't take any space on the floor," he says. "You're saving space and it's cleaner as far as the look goes."
Installation sounds easier than it is, according to Filsoofi, who says you need experience to optimize the heat.
A permit is required for any permanent patio heater, and the contractor doing the installation must be licensed.
Height limits and safety issues are frequent obstacles, according to Filsoofi.
"To select which one goes where and works best, that's where we come into the picture," he says. "We help homeowners with the design and layout and the idea of how to heat this patio and what's the best way to do it."
Choosing between gas and electric heaters often comes down to the patio itself, according to Filsoofi.
"Electric patio heaters are more versatile, the gas ones are way more efficient. It depends on the structure," he says.
Portable heaters can be plugged into a wall or serviced with a gas line, similar to the setup for a barbecue, according to Filsoofi.
The price of installing a portable heater generally ranges from $300 to $1,000, depending on the complexity of the job, says Filsoofi.
However, an existing gas hook-up can cut the installation cost in half.
Permanent heaters generally require more design and material, upping the installation price a few hundred dollars, according to Filsoofi.
The work is quite specialized, and while many contractors are technically cleared to do the work, Filsoofi recommends going with experienced workers.
"You definitely have to know what these heaters are capable of and where to position them so they work in the most efficient way," he says. "Not every gas contractor can do this kind of work."
If installed properly, the patio heaters can be a good way to extend evening soirées, according to Filsoofi.
"This is not California or Arizona," says Filsoofi, adding being in Vancouver, with such a short summer period "people don't have much chance to really sit outside and enjoy it, especially in the evening."
