AEI Corporation

Patio heaters are essential for maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere in outdoor spaces. Whether you own a multifamily property like an apartment complex or condominium, or you run a hospitality business such as a restaurant, bar, club, hotel, or resort, keeping your guests comfortable is key.

Choosing the right patio heater is only part of the equation—being able to easily control your heating system ensures convenience, efficiency, and safety. Whether you're using traditional mushroom heaters, sleek horizontal infrared heaters, or a combination of both, having the right heater control options can make all the difference. This guide will help you understand how various patio heating systems operate, the control options available, and how to enhance your outdoor space with the right heater control system.

Why Patio Heating Matters

Outdoor heating is essential for businesses and multifamily properties looking to create year-round usable spaces. Here’s why patio heating is important:

• Increases business revenue: Restaurants, bars, and hotels with heated outdoor areas can operate in colder months, increasing seating capacity and profits.
• Enhances guest experience: Comfortable outdoor spaces keep customers longer, improving satisfaction and return visits.
• Boosts property value: Multifamily properties with heated outdoor amenities attract more tenants and command higher rents.
• Extends usability: Whether for social gatherings, dining, or relaxation, a well-heated outdoor space ensures year-round comfort.
• Overcomes common heating challenges: Wind exposure, heat dispersion, and cost efficiency are factors that businesses must consider when choosing the right patio heating system.

How Infrared Heating Works

Infrared heaters emit radiant heat, which warms people and objects directly rather than heating the surrounding air. This makes them highly efficient, especially in outdoor settings where wind and airflow can quickly dissipate heat from traditional convection heaters. Both our mushroom and horizontal heaters produce infrared heat to keep people warm and comfortable on your patio spaces.

Mushroom Patio Heaters: Easy-to-Use Controls

Mushroom patio heaters are a popular choice for warming outdoor spaces. Their design is simple yet effective, providing heat through a round reflector that directs warmth downward and outward. These heaters are fueled by either propane or natural gas and are known for their reliable and straightforward operation.

Propane vs. Natural Gas Mushroom Heaters

• Propane Heaters: Portable, easy to move, and ideal for rental applications. They require propane tanks that need regular refilling.
• Natural Gas Heaters: Permanently installed and connected to a natural gas line, eliminating the need for refueling.

Patio Comfort Mushroom Heaters

Patio Comfort heaters are designed for ease of use, making them a top choice for many business owners. They feature:

• A dial that allows users to control the flow of fuel, adjusting the heat level as needed.
• A match-free piezoelectric ignition system, which creates a spark at the push of a button, igniting the heater effortlessly.
• Sturdy construction designed to withstand outdoor conditions.

These features make Patio Comfort heaters convenient for businesses that require reliable, easy-to-use heating solutions.

Sunglo Mushroom Heaters

Sunglo offers standard freestanding, in-ground, and a unique suspended mushroom heater that hangs from the ceiling or an overhead structure. Their controls vary depending on the model:

• Freestanding and in-ground heaters can feature: a dial and piezoelectric ignition system that requires batteries or connection to your power supply, or a manually operated heater which needs to be manually lit with a match or lighter but has no electricity requirements.
• Suspended Sunglo heaters have controls installed separately from the heater, typically mounted on a nearby wall within arm’s reach. This provides easy access without requiring users to reach up to the heater itself.

By offering multiple control methods, Sunglo ensures flexibility and ease of use in different patio settings.

Safety Considerations for Mushroom Heaters

• Proper clearance: Adhere to the required minimum clearance from combustibles materials, which are listed in your owner’s manual. Owner manuals are available to download for free as PDFs from their corresponding product page on our website.
• Ventilation: Use in outdoor open-air spaces as directed in your owner’s manual.
• Regular maintenance: Check gas connections and clean burners to ensure efficient operation.
• Stable placement: Ensure freestanding heaters are securely positioned on level ground to prevent tipping.

Horizontal Infrared Patio Heaters: Advanced Control Options

Unlike mushroom heaters, horizontal infrared heaters are designed to be mounted on walls and ceilings. They deliver efficient, targeted heating and are often preferred for their sleek appearance and ability to integrate with smart control systems.

SunStar Patio Heaters

SunStar heaters provide versatile control options that allow users to adjust the heat output as needed:

• A three-position switch (OFF-HIGH-LOW) for manual control.
• A wireless remote control for added convenience, allowing users to operate the heater from a distance.

These options provide business owners with flexible control over their heating system, whether they want a simple switch or remote operation.

Sunpak Infrared Heaters

Sunpak heaters are known for their reliability and efficient heat output. They offer two control options:

• A duplex switch with OFF-HIGH-LOW settings, allowing for easy manual adjustments.
• A wireless remote control paired with a wireless wall switch, offering more advanced convenience for businesses that want effortless control over their heaters.

Both options allow for straightforward heat adjustments to suit changing outdoor conditions.

Infratech Infrared Heaters: The Most Versatile Control Systems

Infratech heaters stand out for their wide range of control options, from simple on/off switches to highly sophisticated automation systems. These options provide unparalleled flexibility for business owners looking to optimize their patio heating system.

Smart Control Features

• Zone control: Heaters can be grouped into zones for independent operation.
• Automation/scheduling: Set heating times to optimize energy efficiency.
• Remote access: Control heaters from a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Integration with smart home systems: Works with Lutron™, Crestron™, and similar platforms for seamless automation.

Real-World Applications of Advanced Heater Controls

Restaurants & Bars

• A high-end rooftop bar installed Infratech heaters with zone controllers, allowing different seating areas to be heated independently based on occupancy. This setup provides multiple benefits, including:
  • Increased Customer Spending: Heated outdoor seating ensures patrons stay longer, order more food and drinks, and ultimately increase revenue per table.
  • Enhanced Customer Loyalty: Guests appreciate a comfortable dining experience, making them more likely to return and recommend the venue to others.
  • More Usable Nights for Outdoor Dining: With the ability to heat specific seating areas, the rooftop bar extends its outdoor dining season, attracting customers even in cooler weather.
  • Optimized Energy Efficiency: By controlling heat distribution based on real-time occupancy, the venue reduces energy waste while maintaining comfort.
  • Premium Guest Experience: A warm and inviting atmosphere encourages larger group reservations and special events, boosting overall sales and customer satisfaction.
  • A casual outdoor café used Sunpak heaters with remote controls to let staff easily adjust heat levels during changing weather conditions.

Hotels & Resorts

• A luxury resort integrated patio heaters into its home management system, enabling remote control and scheduling for event spaces. The benefits of this setup include:
  • Effortless Zone Control: Staff can adjust heating zones easily, ensuring optimal warmth for different areas based on guest activity.
  • Enhanced Guest Experience: Guests enjoy consistent comfort during evening dinners, outdoor weddings, and seasonal events, making their stay more enjoyable.
  • Energy Efficiency: Automated heater operation reduces unnecessary energy use, ensuring that heaters run only when needed.
  • Lower Operational Costs: By optimizing heating schedules, the resort minimizes waste and lowers overall energy expenses.
  • Premium Service Offering: Advanced heating control adds to the resort's luxury appeal, reinforcing its reputation for high-quality amenities and guest satisfaction.
  • A beachside hotel installed SunStar infrared heaters with timers to prevent unnecessary energy use.

Multifamily Properties

• A large apartment complex equipped their shared outdoor lounge areas with smart-controlled Infratech heaters, ensuring tenant comfort while minimizing energy waste. The benefits of this setup include:
  • Encouraging Social Interaction: Heated communal areas create inviting spaces where residents naturally gather, promoting conversations and friendships among neighbors.
  • Fostering a Sense of Community: By offering a comfortable and welcoming environment, tenants feel more connected to their living space and neighbors, reducing turnover and increasing satisfaction.
  • Enhancing Tenant Retention: Comfortable outdoor spaces contribute to higher tenant loyalty, as residents are more likely to renew leases when they feel part of an engaged community.
  • Increasing Property Appeal: Modern, well-equipped outdoor areas with heating solutions make the property stand out in a competitive rental market.
  • Providing Year-Round Usability: With smart-controlled heaters, outdoor lounges remain functional throughout the seasons, ensuring that residents can enjoy the amenities regardless of the weather.

By implementing smart patio heating, property owners create a vibrant, comfortable, and attractive living environment that benefits both residents and business operations.

Find the Best Heater Control System for Your Business

Whether you need a simple ON/OFF switch, a wireless remote, or a sophisticated home management integration, there’s a heater control system that fits your needs.

For multifamily property owners, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other hospitality businesses, finding the right balance between ease of use and advanced automation is key to creating a comfortable, energy-efficient outdoor space.

By understanding your options, you can select the best heater control system to match your patio heating setup and provide a seamless experience for guests and customers.

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