Definitely fits in the 1st world problems category so obviously STW is the 1st place I thought to ask this...
We have an extension being built with a balcony 4m x 1m, 2.44m high ceiling, bifolds. Want to fit a heater of some kind. Most that I've seen online don't have viewable instructions/datasheets however the one that did read for a 1.5kw infrared heater said min 0.5m clearance either side and min 0.3m from the ceiling.
What heater would you suggest type/kWh rating, and where should we place it?
I was going to post some pics but looks like I can't now I'm a free member?
This is going to go well.
I'll start.
If its cold go inside or put a jumper on. Heating the outdoors is a douche move.
Nice one thanks for your helpful input
I’ll help too. If it’s too cold to sit outside, build an indoor room, wear a jumper or start supporting Trump
Infra red heaters are directional so if you are not in it’s operational window it’s cold so not the best if you’ve multiple people to heat. Fan heaters blow the heat around the room. Both are equally efficient, 1.5kw is the same regardless of how it’s delivered. Id fit a bigger heater than you think you’ll need as you can always turn it down
The correct answer has been given - none. To heat outside is such bad idea and it is a third world problem when large parts of the world become too hot to live in…..
To give context, on the odd occasion we use it we won't be heating the house with the central heating. Our house is currently at 13 degrees, the heating isn't on. We're pretty restrained with heating.
Thanks @markspark
Where a jumper or jacket won't cut it a heated throw is what you need. Either sit on it (like a heated car seat) or put it over you.
Heating the air around is less effective and results in the top layer of your beer being warmed unpleasantly (pub beer garden testing been carried out to confirm this).
You may want to fit an exterior socket from plugging in the throw.
https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/the-cosy-shop-waffle-heated-throw-charcoal-426820
I have a veito infrared heater and a tabletop gas patio heater. If you get an infrared heater make sure you can adjust the heating. And you need to be in direct line of the heater to feel the warmth.
Not used for a while but handy when I have a bbq with mates round every couple of years. Usually used under a gazebo to keep the heat in.
The infrared heater is now mainly used in the garage in winter if im working on the bike.
As long as your area is sheltered and not windy they should work ok.
I'm another one who suggests blanket and hot water bottle is a nicer way of being outdoors in the cold. I find these heater things blast heat at you and every other surface, but don't really keep you warm. Anything not facing the heater is cold. A good blanket and water bottle, a nice warm seat cushion will do so much more.
Another for a blanket and a bottle. And maybe a hat. Seat cushion is a good call too.
Genuinely more comfortable and not a 2nd best. The fact that it's not a douche move is a handy side benefit.
Whilst an electric patio heater does give off 'smoking area at Wetherspoons vibes, I bet its no worse for the environment than a chimnea/firepit - and I reckon a fair few on here have those including me.
To be fair....as the national grid gets greener the argument for spaffing energy to warm the outside is less obviously negative if you are doing it with leccy not propane.
Regardless, a blanket (or a heated blanket) trumps a crappy IR heater for comfort if you are sitting around.
I'll take the other tack..... The balcony is 4m wide by 1m deep?
There's very little you can do on a 1m deep balcony - the outdoor sofa on our balcony is 70cm deep!
Anyway, our answer to feeling a bit chilly out on the balcony is a blanket/throw thing... It's all you need.,
fits in the 1st world problems category
Nah. As people above have correctly stated, it fits in a certain sub category of the first world.
Yeah the depth is effectively bigger because it has bifold doors to it.
Lol @ hot tub and spoons comments 😄
Some other good ideas thanks
Yeah the depth is effectively bigger because it has bifold doors to it.
If you're only using it with the bi-folds open the the heating in the room should keep you warm 😉
The answer is still a blanket.
@thegeneralist lol, you criticize me with my choice of piddly little 2kw occasional heater yet you go to Abu Dhabi twice to meet your mate to go climbing for the weekend? Check yourself 🙄
@sharkbait I mentioned above - sitting out with any kind of outside heat, house heating off. That's what we currently do
you criticize me with my choice of piddly little 2kw occasional heater yet you go to Abu Dhabi twice to meet your mate to go climbing for the weekend? Check yourself
Good reply. Mea very culpa 🙂
In my defence:
I was younger and obliviouser at the time.
The trip provided opportunities that I couldn't have got at home, whereas just next to your balcony is a lovely house that provides exactly what you need if it gets chilly outside.
Having said which, my crime was indeed far worse, and I am still in the wrong here.:-)
PS it was a bit longer than a weekend..... Ok, I'm still wrong.
A few pallets, half a creosote telegraph pole, some tyres, couple of deodorant tins for shits n'giggles and a litre of petrol to start it. Toasty warm!
You know, it only takes a quick forum search (surprisingly quick and equally surprising that it works) to expose the self righteous hypocrites on this thread.
@funkydunc firing out a smart arse comment taking issue with the heater but seems not to be so concerned about the impact of flying his family away for a summer holiday last year. Of course, he'll be able to excuse his actions.
As the owner of two large outdoor spaces, find yourself some massive double layered fleece blankets. I have three.
Each one is big enough to sit on, and wrap up, completely, 2 adults plus a child. Think they are basically 2x3m. Give or take.
Was warm enough to sit outside, wrapped up, in november last year (november in sweden, so a bit colder than most of the UK).
Oh, we were gifted a gas patio heater by my FiL not long after we moved in, i doubt we even got through the first bottle of gas before we gave up. Bloody useless. Same for the IR ones at the front. Used to come in after a couple of hours out there with ice cubes for feet and a face that looked like a vigorously smacked ass, bright red and shiny. They were removed a few weeks after we moved in, 20+ years ago. And the patio heater rusted away in the corner of the garage.
A patio heater is surely one of the most egregious wastes of energy there is
And yes I have made a couple of long haul flights in the past couple of years, and yes my lifetime environmental penalty is a fraction of the OPs I bet
OP - you must have been able to predict the responses
Can attest to those B&M heated throws being very good, 9 different power levels and auto switch off all for £20 I think. CH was broken for long periods this winter and they were considerably better than the fan heaters I have for backup. Heat from those quite obviously disspates instantly, whereas the throws trap it next to you.