What Is a Wood Pellet Patio Heater?
Gathering on your patio is a great way to connect with family and friends while enjoying the fresh air. In the summer months, it’s easy to relax outside in the warmth. But in colder times of the year, sometimes the cold prevents us from enjoying the outdoors.
One excellent option for heating your patio is a wood pellet heater. An alternative to a traditional campfire or fireplace, a wood pellet patio heater rests on your patio and provides the warmth of a fireplace. It’s cost-effective, requires no electricity and even emits more warmth than a typical indoor heater.
Here is a basic guide to wood pellet patio heaters.
- How Does a Wood Pellet Patio Heater Work?
- What Are Some Wood Pellet Patio Heater Pros?
- How Do I Select The Best Wood Pellet Patio Heater For Me?
- Energex Wood Pellets: Buy Today
How Does a Wood Pellet Patio Heater Work?
Wood pellet patio heaters use wood pellets instead of electricity to create heat. They are very efficient — people often light them in the morning, and the heaters continue burning throughout the entire day without needing to be relit.
The secret is that these heaters use wood pellets as fuel. Wood pellets are biomass products made out of renewable or recyclable wood materials. When burned, wood pellets create a strong source of dry heat.
To light your wood pellet heater, you:
- First, pour the wood pellets into the hopper at the back of the stove.
- After being placed inside, the pellets get funneled into the firebox, where they burn. The firebox only allows some fuel to enter, while the remaining pellets rest in a stockpile for later.
- The heater lights the pellets manually with fire gel or lighting fluid.
- As the pellets burn, they get reduced to ash and allow new fuel to come in. As more pellets enter and burn, it creates a continuous burning cycle.
Wood pellet heaters transfer heat through the process of convection. Here’s how a wood pellet heater works:
- As the heater produces hot air, it rises quickly due to its light weight.
- The heater also has a convection blower, which pulls excess cool air from the room and passes it over the pellets. This process also ensures that all the pellets burn evenly.
- The pellets’ heat warms the cool air.
- Lastly, the newly heated air moves through a heat exchanger and dispels across the air, warming the nearby area.
- The heater also features an exhaust blower located in the back. As the cycle continues, the exhaust blower gets rid of excess fumes.
What Are Some Wood Pellet Patio Heater Pros?
Wood pellet patio heaters provide many benefits for your home. A wood pellet heater can bring many advantages, from its cost-effectiveness to its eco-friendliness.
Here are more wood pellet patio heater benefits:
- Sustainable energy source: Wood pellets consist of renewable or recycled wood materials, making them an energy-efficient source. Instead of wood chips, sawdust and other excess materials going to waste, you can reuse them to create heat. Additionally, wood pellets burn cleanly, emitting fewer gases into the air.
- Attractive appeal: A wood pellet heater can make your patio into an ideal gathering space. It will warm all your visitors and add an attractive quality to your home. Many heaters come in sleek designs that complement their surroundings and add to your aesthetic.
- Portable: Another benefit of these heaters is that many are portable, so you don’t have to limit your heater enjoyment to just your patio or porch. You could take your heater with you during travel, camping or even a local event. It will bring warmth with you wherever you go.
- Affordable: Wood pellets are typically more affordable than other common fuel types like propane, saving you money in the long term.
- Easy to maintain: Similar to wood pellet boilers, wood pellet heaters have simple maintenance. Many retail stores carry bags of wood pellets so you can stay stocked easily. And these heaters are relatively simple to clean because wood pellets leave only small amounts of ash.
These heaters provide many benefits with very few wood pellet patio heater cons.
How Do I Select the Best Wood Pellet Patio Heater for Me?
If you decide you want to purchase a wood pellet patio heater, consider a few factors to make sure you select the best one for you. Patio heaters are available in several varieties, so think about the differences as you browse options.
These are some things to consider as you look for a patio heater:
- Dimensions: Heaters differ in length, width and height. Consider the size of your patio and find the heater dimensions that work best with your space. For instance, if you have a smaller deck, you probably don’t want a heater that’s extremely long or wide. You can also consult with heater specialists to find the best size for you.
- Heating capacity: Another aspect of the heater that you can consider is its heating capacity. Many heaters measure their capabilities in square feet. You could think about how much heat you want your heater to emit. Do you want it to warm the entire patio or just a seating area? Be sure to check the patio heater’s heating range and consider that as you choose.
- Automation: Some heaters are available with extra switches or additions that make usage easier. For instance, you might find a heater that can turn on or off automatically. Others come with extra ventilation or extra parts to make maintenance easier. If these aspects are important to you, be aware that they might increase the heater’s cost, so factor that in as well.
- Portability: Lastly, some patio heaters have portable options, while others don’t. You should consider whether you plan to use your heater only at your home or if you want to take it to other places, too. Thinking about this can help you narrow down the heaters that suit you best.
Energex Wood Pellets: Buy Today
Once you find the right heater, the next step is your fuel. Energex offers high-quality wood pellets that heat your home patio efficiently. Our sustainable pellets are certified by the Pellet Fuels Institute and upheld by rigorous standards. And they leave behind minimal ash and waste, making your clean-up easier.
We supply wood pellets in many locations across America, so finding the supplier nearest to you is easy. Find a wood pellet dealer or join the Energex team today by becoming a dealer. We look forward to helping you heat your home.