Meanwhile, few people realize that it's actually quite easy to extend the terrace season by investing in proper heating equipment. Effective outdoor heating can be provided by stylish heaters, radiant heaters, or an outdoor fireplace. There are several types of radiant heaters available on the market, and the ones that work best on terraces include:

• Gas heaters, 

• Electric heaters, 

• Infrared heaters,

Each of these will be described in detail later in this article. But before we get to that, let’s take a quick look at how this type of heating works.

What are radiant heaters? How do they work?

The principle behind radiant heating can be compared directly to the relationship between the Earth and the Sun. The energy they generate reaches and affects living organisms directly. This means that unlike traditional heating methods, radiant heaters do not warm the surrounding air, buildings, or even objects like furniture. They are particularly effective when you need to quickly and efficiently heat specific zones or areas.

What are the types of radiant heaters?

In this area, we can distinguish three main solutions: devices that generate heat using gas, electricity, or infrared radiation.

Gas heaters

They are very popular due to the wide variety of available forms. These include, among others: lantern-style heaters, patio umbrellas, and heaters in various sizes and shapes. The radiation, perceived by the body as warmth, makes the temperature feel higher. Most models on the market raise the temperature by 18–20°C. The fuel source for a gas heater is a bottle containing natural or liquefied gas, typically weighing around 2.5 kg. Heating umbrellas are mounted directly on the gas bottle. There are also heaters where the gas bottle is placed inside a built-in housing.

Electric heaters

These types of heaters can be further divided into halogen and carbon fiber variants. Halogen heaters are powerful and work well in larger spaces. Carbon fiber heaters, on the other hand, have slightly lower power but provide gentler heat. It’s worth noting that they are more efficient than halogen heaters and offer much better durability.

Infrared radiant heaters

One of the safest solutions on the market today, infrared radiant heaters warm only living organisms. Their key advantage is the absence of CO₂ emissions, which makes them safe for use in enclosed spaces. When combined with an opening roof system, such as a pergola (produced by the Polish company TARASOLA) and side glazing, they can successfully transform a home, restaurant, or even a hotel by adding an extra usable space effectively extending the season by several additional months. Are you ready for such a long season?

How to choose the right power for an electric heater?

When selecting a heater, it's important to consider the type of terrace it will be used on. If your terrace is open or partially enclosed, the heater shouldn't be too powerful. The most efficient electric patio heaters are halogen heaters with short heating elements. They come in various shapes and sizes and, most importantly, are very easy to install.

However, the choice of a radiant heater should mainly be based on the surface area of your terrace (in square meters). The rule is simple: the larger the terrace, the higher the heating power needed.

• For terraces up to 10 m² – a single heater with 1400W or 2000W of power should be sufficient.

• If your terrace is around 14 m² – go for a heating device offering 2000W, or even up to 2500W.

• For terraces up to 18 m² – it’s worth considering two separate heaters (each with 1400W or 2000W of power).

Heating costs and electricity consumption of radiant heaters

As you can easily calculate – the costs associated with heating a terrace using radiant heaters are directly linked to two factors:

• First – their power output, meaning the level of heat they generate;

• Second – the usage pattern, meaning how long they are in operation.

To simplify the calculations, let’s use an example of a 2000W radiant heater. Assume that during the colder months (from November to February), you use it for 4 hours a day. Also, let’s assume the electricity rate is exactly 0.70 PLN per kWh.

First, we need to calculate the daily electricity consumption, which can be done using the following formula:

4h * 2000W = 8000 Wh, or 8 kWh

Next, we can move on to calculating the cost over specific time periods:

• 1 * 8 kWh * 0.70 PLN = 5.60 PLN – this is the amount you’ll pay for 1 day (4 hours) of heating using a radiant heater

• 7 * 8 kWh * 0.70 PLN = 39.20 PLN – this is the weekly cost

• 30 * 8 kWh * 0.70 PLN = 168 PLN – this is the monthly electricity cost

• 120 * 8 kWh * 0.70 PLN = 672 PLN – this is the approximate cost for the entire 4-month heating season

Of course, keep in mind that these calculations are only approximate estimates. The actual costs you may incur when using radiant heaters depend on how long they are used and the electricity tariff that applies in your region.

Radiant heater, fireplace, or something else?

An alternative to radiant heaters is a patio fireplace especially recommended for installations with a stone floor and non-flammable railings. A patio fireplace can also successfully function as a garden grill or even a fully equipped outdoor oven, ideal for dinners in the open air. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a solution everyone can install on their own. For user safety, it must be built according to proper standards.

In open spaces, this type of heating won’t be very efficient, as it only warms the air within a few meters of the heat source. It works much better on a partially covered terrace. But the mood of a spring evening spent by the fire under the stars priceless.