AEI Corporation

Outdoor comfort is one of the simplest ways to make guests feel welcome and cared for. Whether you run a bustling restaurant, a luxury resort, or a neighborhood winery, your outdoor spaces are an extension of your brand. They set the tone for how long customers stay, how much they enjoy themselves, and whether they come back.

That’s where patio heaters come in.

By keeping your outdoor spaces warm and inviting year-round, outdoor heaters allow hospitality businesses to serve more customers and boost revenue. From hotel lounges to winery tasting patios, these heaters make it possible to extend business operations into cooler seasons and late-night hours without compromising comfort.

At AEI Corporation, we’ve spent decades supplying commercial patio heaters to businesses that rely on dependable, long-lasting performance. In this guide, we’ll explore eight of the best locations where outdoor heaters truly make a difference, and some example uses.

1. Restaurants

When most people picture patio heaters, they imagine them on a restaurant’s outdoor dining patio, and for good reason. Restaurants are one of the top industries that benefit from investing in reliable, efficient outdoor heating.

Outdoor dining has become more than just a trend, it’s now an expectation. Diners want to enjoy meals outside year-round, especially in climates where evenings can get chilly. By installing heaters around your patio seating areas, you give customers the comfort they need to stay longer and order more.

Restaurants can also estimate how much additional revenue they might earn, from installing patio heaters, by using AEI’s free Revenue Boost Calculator. This simple tool helps restaurant owners see how much patio heaters can improve their bottom line by increasing total restaurant seating capacity.

Recommended Heaters for Restaurants

There are four brands of patio heaters that are all ideal for restaurant patio spaces: Infratech, Sunglo, SunStar, and Sunpak heaters.

• Infratech electric infrared heaters provide quiet, even warmth that’s perfect for dining areas.
• Sunpak natural gas models offer powerful heat for open-air patios and are wall or ceiling mounted to save floor space.
• Sunglo propane mushroom heaters work well for flexible patio layouts and can be moved or stored as needed.
• SunStar horizontal heaters excel at keeping people warm and comfortable on any patio, and their marine-grade heaters are perfect for coastal areas.
   

From small cafés to fine dining establishments, patio heaters are now a standard part of outdoor seating layouts. Some restaurants even converted parking lots or sidewalks into charming patio spaces. The warmth provided by patio heating makes the difference between an empty chair and a happy guest.

2. Bars and Clubs

Bars and clubs thrive on atmosphere. Whether it’s a lively rooftop bar or a relaxed cocktail lounge with outdoor seating, the comfort level of your guests directly impacts how long they stay, and how much they spend.

Outdoor heaters are essential tools for maintaining that atmosphere when the temperature drops. By installing them throughout your patio or rooftop spaces, you can create a warm, inviting environment where guests linger instead of heading inside or leaving early.

Many bars and clubs use their patios as hybrid spaces—offering a mix of standing areas, small tables, and lounges. Infrared heaters are ideal for this setup because they heat people and objects directly, not just the air. That means guests feel warm and comfortable even when there’s a light breeze.

Recommended Heaters for Bars and Clubs

Bars and clubs can also benefit from any of our brands of heaters, and here is an example of Infratech heaters working in the real world.

• Anaheim Hills Golf Club remodeled their patio space with 13 horizontal electric patio heaters to ensure all of their guests and members are warm and eager to use their outdoor dining area.

For establishments with outdoor dining or food service, these heaters help increase capacity and improve the guest experience—all while maintaining the atmosphere your venue is known for.

3. Breweries

Few industries have embraced outdoor social spaces quite like breweries. Whether it’s a converted warehouse, a taproom with an open-air patio, or a space with a food truck parked out front, breweries depend on outdoor areas to create a relaxed, community-focused vibe.

Installing commercial patio heaters helps breweries extend that environment well into the cooler months. Guests can enjoy flights, food, and music outside without feeling chilled.

Because many breweries operate in large, semi-open spaces, AEI’s complimentary Heat Map Service can help identify where to install heaters for maximum heat coverage. This service uses your property’s layout to determine heater placement, coverage zones, and mounting options—ensuring even, reliable warmth across your entire outdoor area.

Recommended Heaters for Breweries

Breweries often need a mix of horizontal and mushroom heaters.

• Overhead horizontal heaters provide efficient heating for large patios or warehouse spaces, while freeing up floor space for guests.
• Sunglo propane mushroom heaters are perfect for portable warmth near food trucks or seating areas without overhead covers.

Warm guests stay longer, order more, and leave happier, making patio heating not just a comfort upgrade, but a smart business investment for any brewery.

4. Wineries

Wineries are more than just production facilities—they’re destinations. Guests visit to sip, relax, and take in the scenery. From vineyard terraces to intimate tasting patios, outdoor heaters make these experiences comfortable in every season.

Most wineries operate year-round and rely on customer-facing spaces for tastings, events, and private gatherings. A cool afternoon or a breezy evening shouldn’t cut those experiences short.

Installing infrared patio heaters ensures that guests stay comfortable without disrupting the natural ambiance. The gentle, radiant warmth complements outdoor aesthetics and blends seamlessly into architectural features, creating a cozy yet elegant atmosphere.

Recommended Heaters for Wineries

Wineries should install electric, propane, or natural gas heaters based on their location and accessibility.

• Electric overhead heaters are great for patios with access to your property’s electrical grid, and need to be wired in place by a licensed electrician.
• Natural gas heaters are convenient to use and easy to operate if you have natural gas hook-ups to connect to, or can install their pipes during a remodel.
• Propane heaters can be used in locations without access to natural gas or electricity, and are also useful because they can be relocated as needed.

Because wineries often host weddings, tastings, and private events, the ability to maintain comfortable outdoor temperatures directly translates into more business opportunities.

5. Outdoor Malls and Shopping Centers

Outdoor shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and open-air plazas have become popular destinations where visitors can shop, dine, and relax in one space. But cooler weather can discourage foot traffic and shorten visits.

That’s why many property managers are turning to patio heaters as part of their outdoor experience strategy. By installing heaters near seating areas, walkways, and outdoor dining zones, malls can keep guests comfortable throughout the year.

Warm, inviting spaces encourage customers to stay longer, visit more stores, and make additional purchases. For retailers, this means more consistent traffic even in the colder months. For the property owner, it means happier tenants and higher lease retention.

Recommended Heaters for Outdoor Malls

Whether your location is a large outdoor mall, or a small strip mall, there are some common locations to install heaters for your tenants and their customers.

• Open-air covered walkways with horizontal heaters installed overhead make customers more likely to take a stroll while window shopping.
• Food courts and other dining seating areas can always use patio heating to make customers more likely to sit and buy food from the restaurants in your area.

Outdoor malls especially benefit during the busy holiday season, when heated courtyards encourage shoppers to stay longer and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

6. Hotels

Hotels are all about hospitality and comfort, and their outdoor amenities play a big part in how guests perceive their stay. Whether it’s a poolside patio, rooftop lounge, or outdoor dining area, outdoor heaters can transform these spaces into year-round attractions.

Hotel guests expect comfort, even when the temperature dips. With commercial patio heaters, hotels can extend the usability of their outdoor spaces throughout the year. With patio heaters lounges remain open later, outdoor restaurants stay profitable, and pool areas become usable even in cooler seasons.

In competitive markets, these details make a big difference. Guests are more likely to choose a hotel that offers cozy, heated patios over one that doesn’t. For business travelers, couples, and families alike, these small comforts create lasting impressions.

Recommended Heaters for Hotels

Infratech, Sunglo, SunStar, and Sunpak heaters have been used in hotels across the country to keep their guests warm and comfortable while using their outdoor amenities.

• Infratech’s horizontal electric heaters can be mounted on poles, installed on walls, or suspended from overhead.
• Sunpak’s horizontal natural gas and propane heaters are mounted to walls, eaves, or ceilings to keep your guests happy.
• Sunglo has mushroom natural gas and propane heaters that can be pole-mounted, free standing (floor brackets are available), or portable (propane only), so they can be used in areas without overhead structures.
• SunStar horizontal natural gas and propane heaters use a tinted glass shield to reduce the light emitted, but not the warmth of the heater. Their heaters made with marine-grade stainless steel have an increased resistance to rust and corrosion.

Hotels can also work with AEI to design custom heating solutions using our Heat Map Service, ensuring every space is comfortable and energy-efficient.

7. Resorts and Vacation Properties

Resorts and timeshares offer the ultimate relaxation experience—and that includes comfortable outdoor amenities. Whether guests are lounging by the pool, dining al fresco, or playing a round of tennis, patio heaters help keep every outdoor moment enjoyable.

Unlike smaller businesses, resorts often need a variety of heating solutions across multiple outdoor areas. AEI supplies a full range of commercial patio heaters in various sizes and fuel types, making it easy to match the right heater to each setting.

Recommended Heaters for Resorts

Resorts use infrared outdoor heaters to keep their guests comfortable while using their outdoor amenities.

• Poolside patios can typically benefit from supplying infrared heaters for their guests to use while lounging or getting out of the pool.
• Eateries with outdoor seating need patio heaters whether they are a full restaurant, a food court, or a food truck

By ensuring guests remain warm during outdoor activities, resorts can extend the use of their amenities, attract more bookings, and enhance their overall guest experience.

8. Valet Waiting Areas

Valet stations are often overlooked when planning outdoor comfort, but they’re one of the first and last impressions guests have of your business. Keeping these areas warm shows attention to detail and reinforces your commitment to customer experience.

Whether it’s a hotel, restaurant, or event venue, installing outdoor heaters in your valet waiting area ensures guests stay comfortable while they wait for their vehicles.

Recommended Heaters for Valet Areas

Mushroom or horizontal heaters are the top choice for valet zones.

• Valet waiting areas with an overhead structure can suspend horizontal or mushroom heaters from the structure to keep customers warm while they wait for their car.
• Valet waiting areas without an overhead structure can install a mushroom heater, a horizontal heater on a pole, or supply a portable mushroom heater for guests to use while waiting for their vehicle.

It’s a small upgrade that leaves a lasting impression on your guests and sets your business apart.

Why AEI Stands Out for Commercial Patio Heaters

For more than 50 years, AEI Corporation has been a trusted partner for the hospitality industry. We understand that commercial patio heaters aren’t just accessories, they’re essential business tools that must perform reliably, season after season.

Built for Commercial Use

Our patio heaters are designed for daily operation in demanding environments. They deliver consistent performance, even after years of heavy use, making them a smart investment for restaurants, hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses.

Multiple Options for Every Space

Every patio is different. That’s why AEI offers a variety of heater types—electric, natural gas, and propane models—in multiple sizes, finishes, and mounting configurations. Whether you need wall-mounted infrared heaters for a narrow patio or portable freestanding models for flexible seating, we have the right fit.

Complimentary Heat Map Service

Our Heat Map Service helps businesses plan their patio heating layouts with precision. By using your property’s diagram, we can recommend the best placement for heaters to ensure even warmth and maximum efficiency across your outdoor spaces.

Free Revenue Boost Calculator

For restaurant owners, AEI provides a Revenue Boost Calculator that estimates the financial impact of adding patio heating. It’s a practical way to visualize how extending outdoor dining can directly improve your bottom line.

Industry-Leading Support

From installation guidance to product documentation, AEI supports your team every step of the way. Our heaters come backed by warranties and customer support designed to give you confidence long after installation.

Warmer Guests, Happier Customers, Better Business

At the end of the day, outdoor heaters are about more than just warmth. They’re about extending hospitality, increasing revenue, and making your property stand out.

From restaurants to resorts, every business on this list can benefit from the comfort and reliability that AEI’s commercial patio heaters provide. With the right heating plan, your outdoor spaces can stay welcoming all year long.

Ready to Warm Up Your Business?

AEI Corporation is here to help you design the perfect heating solution for your outdoor space.

Whether you need help planning a layout, selecting the right heaters, or estimating potential revenue increases, our team is ready to assist.

Contact AEI today using the form below to get started.

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