AEI Corporation

Outdoor amenities are a major part of the guest experience at extended stay properties. Guests staying at resorts, hotels, and timeshares often remain on the property for days, weeks, or even months. Because of this, outdoor spaces become an important part of their daily routine.

Poolside patios, outdoor grilling areas, restaurant patios, and gathering spaces allow guests to relax, socialize, and enjoy their surroundings. However, outdoor amenities can quickly become unusable if temperatures drop.

This is where properly installed heaters become essential.

Whether you are using natural gas heaters, propane heaters, or electric heaters, the goal is the same. You want to provide consistent warmth so guests can comfortably use your outdoor spaces.

But installing patio heaters without proper planning can lead to a common problem. Cold spots. 

The best way to avoid the problem of cold spots is to use a heatmap during the planning process. Heatmaps allow property owners to visualize heating coverage before installation begins. This ensures patios are heated evenly and efficiently.

For extended stay properties, heatmaps are one of the most effective ways to design a successful patio heating system.

Why Outdoor Heating Matters for Extended Stay Properties

Extended stay hotels, resorts, and timeshares operate differently than traditional hotels. Guests are not simply spending one night and leaving the next morning. Many stay for a week, a month, or even longer. Because of this, their expectations for comfort and amenities are much higher. Outdoor spaces often become an extension of their living area.

Guests may use outdoor areas to:

• Relax by the pool
• Enjoy outdoor dining
• Cook at communal grill stations
• Gather with friends or family
• Work remotely in open air spaces

When these outdoor areas are too cold, guests simply stop using them. That means the property is losing valuable usable space and missing opportunities to improve the guest experience.

Properly installed patio heaters help extend the usability of outdoor areas throughout the day, night, and colder seasons. Guests remain comfortable longer, which increases satisfaction and encourages them to spend more time enjoying the property.

For extended stay properties, this can make a significant difference in guest retention and reviews.

The Common Problem with Poorly Planned Patio Heating

Many property owners install heaters without fully understanding how heat distributes across a patio. It is easy to assume that adding a few heaters will automatically warm the entire space. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case.

Outdoor heating behaves differently than indoor heating systems. Wind, spacing, ceiling height, mounting location, and heater type all affect how heat spreads across a patio.

Without careful planning, you may experience:

• Cold spots where guests still feel uncomfortable
• Areas that receive too much heat
• Wasted energy from poorly positioned heaters
• Extra installation costs from needing additional heaters later

Nothing is worse than installing a heating system only to discover that certain seating areas remain cold. Guests notice these gaps immediately. If they sit in an uncomfortable area, it can negatively affect their overall experience.

The solution is to design your heating system using a heatmap before installation begins.

What Is a Patio Heating Heatmap?

A heatmap is a visual planning tool used to design outdoor heating systems. It is essentially a bird's-eye, or eye-level diagram of your patio layout. Over the diagram of your patio layout, heat coverage zones are added to show where warmth will be distributed.

Each heater produces a specific heat pattern. By placing these patterns on a layout map, you can see exactly how heaters will perform across the space. The result is a color coded visual that clearly shows heating coverage.

A patio heating heatmap allows property owners to see:

• Where heaters should be installed
• How far heat will reach
• Areas that may have insufficient coverage
• Locations where heaters may overlap too much
• How many heaters are needed for full patio coverage

This visual approach makes it much easier to design a heating system that works properly from the start. Instead of guessing, you can see the results before installation even begins.

Request a Complimentary Heatmap Before Installing Patio Heaters

If you are planning to install patio heaters at your extended stay property, one of the smartest steps you can take is requesting a heatmap before purchasing equipment. Many heating issues happen because heaters are installed first and planned later.

A heatmap reverses that process.

Instead of guessing where heaters should go, you can see a complete heating plan designed specifically for your patio layout. This makes it easier to choose between natural gas heaters, propane heaters, or electric heaters, and understand how each option will perform.

AEI offers a complimentary heatmap service that allows you to visualize heater coverage before installation begins. Our heating experts review your patio layout and design a heating system that provides consistent warmth across your outdoor spaces. This helps property owners avoid costly installation mistakes and ensures their outdoor amenities remain comfortable for guests.

Why Heatmaps Are Essential for Large Outdoor Spaces

Extended stay properties often have larger outdoor areas than traditional hotels. Pool decks, restaurant patios, outdoor bars, lounge areas, and grilling spaces may all require heating coverage. Because of the size and layout of these spaces, planning becomes even more important.

A heatmap for your patio spaces allows property owners to evaluate several important factors at once.

Heater Placement

Heatmaps help determine the best locations to mount heaters. This ensures heat reaches seating areas where guests are actually spending time.

Complete Coverage

By mapping heat patterns across the patio, designers can ensure there are no cold gaps between heaters.

Heater Quantity

Heatmaps help determine exactly how many heaters are required. This prevents under installing or over installing equipment.

Installation Efficiency

Planning heater placement ahead of time reduces installation mistakes and avoids costly repositioning later. For large outdoor areas, heatmaps provide clarity that simple guesswork cannot achieve.

Installation Considerations That Affect Patio Heating

Designing a heating system involves more than simply choosing the right patio heaters. Several installation factors can influence how heat spreads across your patio. These factors are included when AEI creates a heatmap for your property.

Mounting Height

The height at which heaters are installed has a major impact on heating performance. Heaters mounted too high may spread heat too widely, reducing warmth where guests are sitting. Heaters mounted too low may concentrate heat too intensely in small areas. Heatmaps help determine the ideal mounting height so warmth is distributed evenly across seating areas.

Wind Exposure

Outdoor wind conditions can significantly affect heating performance. While infrared heat is itself unaffected by wind, a strong wind can make your guests cold directly. 

Patios that are partially enclosed often retain heat better than fully open spaces. When designing a heatmap, our team considers how wind exposure may affect heater placement and coverage.

Ceiling Structures and Overhangs

Covered patios, pergolas, and roof structures provide excellent locations for horizontal electric heaters and overhead gas heaters. These mounting surfaces allow heaters to be positioned directly above seating areas. This directs warmth exactly where it is needed.

If a patio has limited overhead structures, mushroom heaters may be recommended instead.

Seating Layout

Heatmaps are designed around where guests actually sit. Tables, lounge chairs, bar seating, and poolside furniture all influence heater placement. Heating empty walkways is inefficient, while warming seating areas greatly improves comfort. 

By mapping heaters around seating zones, heatmaps ensure warmth is delivered where guests need it most.

Types of Patio Heaters Used in Heatmap Designs

Heatmaps work with multiple types of patio heaters, each with different heating characteristics. Selecting the right type of heater is part of designing a successful system. AEI works with several industry leading heater brands that provide both horizontal and mushroom heating solutions.

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are often used in locations where gas lines are not available, where precise heater control is needed, and in locations that require electric appliances to be installed. The Infratech line of electric heaters offers horizontal infrared heaters that are commonly mounted overhead.

Electric heaters offer several benefits:

• Clean and quiet operation
• Strong directional heating
• Advanced control options
• Flexible installation locations
• Multiple sizes of heaters with different power outputs

They are often used in covered patios, restaurant seating areas, and mounted to the outside of buildings around the perimeter of patio spaces.

Natural Gas Heaters

Natural gas heaters provide strong and consistent heat output for larger outdoor areas. They are a popular option for hotels and resorts that already have natural gas infrastructure available.

Natural gas heaters offer advantages such as:

• Low long term fuel costs
• Continuous fuel supply
• Strong heat output
• Horizontal and mushroom heaters available

Horizontal natural gas heaters can be mounted overhead and provide excellent coverage across large patio areas. Natural gas mushroom heaters are usually mounted on a tall pole secured to the ground, or suspended overhead

Propane Heaters

Propane heaters offer similar heating performance to natural gas models but can provide more flexibility. They are commonly used when natural gas hookups and electric connections are not available. We carry horizontal and mushroom propane heaters.

Propane mushroom heaters may be installed as fixed units or used as portable heaters, since they carry their fuel on-board, in a propane tank hidden in their base.

Portable propane heaters have unique advantages over other fuel types:

• Flexibility to be moved where they are needed
• Can be stored out of the way when not in use
• Can be used in outdoor locations without natural gas hookups or electric connections
• The fastest and easiest installation process

Mushroom Heaters

Mushroom style heaters are a familiar sight in outdoor hospitality spaces. These heaters radiate heat outward in a circular pattern, making them useful for open patio environments. Propane versions can also be mobile, allowing staff to reposition heaters as needed.

Heatmaps help determine whether mushroom heaters, horizontal heaters, or a combination of both will work best for a specific patio layout.

AEI Complimentary Heatmap Service for Hotels and Resorts

Designing a patio heating system can feel complicated. There are many factors to consider, including heater types, fuel sources, mounting options, and coverage zones.

That is why AEI offers a complimentary heatmap service for extended stay properties. Our patio heating experts create a custom heatmap tailored specifically to your property. This service allows property owners to see how their patio could be heated before purchasing equipment.

Our heatmap design process includes several important considerations.

Patio Layout Evaluation

We begin by reviewing your patio layout, including seating areas, walkways, and structural features. This allows us to design heating coverage where guests will actually be spending time.

Fuel Source Planning

Our team takes into account the fuel sources available at your property.

This includes options for:

• Natural gas heaters
• Propane heaters
• Electric heaters

Selecting the right fuel source helps ensure efficiency and performance.

Heater Type Recommendations

Based on the layout of your patio, we recommend which types of patio heaters will work best.

This may include:

• Horizontal infrared heaters
• Mushroom heaters
• A combination of both

Each patio space is unique, and heatmaps help identify the most effective heating solution for your unique property.

Planning for Current and Future Needs

Outdoor spaces evolve over time. Seating areas expand, layouts change, and new amenities may be added. Our heatmaps consider both your current layout and potential future needs. This helps ensure your heating system remains effective long term.

Heater Control Options

We also include an overview of heater control options that can help you manage your heating system more efficiently.

Modern heater controls allow property owners to:

• Turn your heaters on remotely
• Adjust heater output levels
• Control multiple heaters in specific zones
• Automate operation schedules
• Operate your heaters from Smart Apps or Smart Home Systems

These features can help reduce energy usage while maintaining guest comfort. Best of all, our heatmap design service is completely free of charge. Our goal is to help property owners make informed decisions when planning their outdoor heating systems.

Patio Heater Brands Available Through AEI

AEI offers heatmap services for all of the patio heater brands we carry. Each brand provides unique features suited for different environments.

Infratech

Infratech heaters are horizontal electric heaters designed for daily commercial use, and well known for their performance and design flexibility. They offer a wide range of control options and customization choices, making them ideal for many hospitality environments.

SunStar

SunStar produces natural gas heaters and propane heaters designed for durability. They also offer a marine grade stainless steel heater that performs exceptionally well in coastal environments where corrosion can be a concern.

Sunpak

Sunpak heaters are another trusted option for natural gas heaters and propane heaters.With decades of manufacturing experience, Sunpak heaters are known for their reliability and strong performance in commercial outdoor environments.

Sunglo

Sunglo specializes in mushroom style patio heaters. Their propane models can also function as mobile patio heaters, allowing property owners to move heating coverage when needed.

Each of these heater options can be incorporated into a custom heatmap design.

How Heatmaps Improve the Guest Experience

For extended stay properties, guest comfort is directly tied to satisfaction and repeat bookings. Outdoor heating systems that are designed properly allow guests to enjoy patio spaces throughout the year.

Heatmaps help ensure that:

• Every seating area receives proper warmth
• There are no uncomfortable cold spots
• Heating systems operate efficiently
• Guests remain comfortable during cooler evenings

When outdoor spaces are warm and inviting, guests are more likely to spend time there. This improves the overall experience and encourages positive reviews. For resorts, hotels, and timeshares, small improvements in comfort can have a large impact on guest satisfaction.

Get Your Complimentary Patio Heating Heatmap

If you are planning to install patio heaters at your extended stay property, designing the system correctly from the start is critical. A heatmap allows you to visualize your heating coverage before installation begins. This ensures your outdoor spaces are heated efficiently and completely.

AEI makes this process easy.

Our team will create a custom heatmap based on your patio layout, available fuel sources, and heating goals. This allows you to see exactly how electric heaters, natural gas heaters, or propane heaters will perform across your outdoor space.

Best of all, our heatmap service is completely free.

Fill out our form today and let the patio heating experts at AEI design a heating plan that keeps your guests comfortable and your outdoor amenities fully usable.

With the right heating system in place, your outdoor spaces can become some of the most popular areas on your property.

Have a Question?

Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.