Outdoor Panel Heaters

Choosing the right wattage will depend on a few factors, including airflow, and whether the area is fully enclosed or semi-open. When it comes to heating medium to large dining areas, you’ll generally want to aim for something in the range of 1,800W and 2,400W. They’ll give you a strong and consistent level of radiant heat and can be spaced at even intervals to prevent major contrasts in temperatures.

Radiant Outdoor Panel Heaters are designed to warm people directly, rather than warming up the air around them. This means they’re more efficient when you’re looking for Outdoor Panel Heaters to use in an outdoor setting, especially when there’s a breeze or it’s winter. In contrast, convection or gas heaters rely on circulating warm air through the room. While this works well in indoor settings, it’s not as energy efficient when it comes to an outdoor area or somewhere with a draft (like zones with doors leading outside that are regularly opened and closed).

Heat always rises, so when you have a restaurant or venue with a high stud, you’ll need something that can warm your guests more directly and place your panels a little lower. Opting for radiant Outdoor Panel Heaters is a good choice, and placing them on the wall at an angle will give comforting ambient heat, without being too overwhelming.

Modern heaters, especially commercial Outdoor Panel Heaters, are designed to keep guests warm, but without using as much power. Look for features like smart thermostats so you can adjust them throughout the seasons, eco-modes, zoned heating control, and even manual operation buttons so guests can press it when they need heat. Many also come with timers and will operate for a set period before switching off. Another option is to look for infrared technology, which operates similarly to how an infrared barbeque does, giving strong and direct heat but with reduced energy draw. Operators should also look for improved insulation within the heater housing, fast heat-up times, and programmable timers that reduce unnecessary operation during quiet periods. Together, these features allow venues to maintain comfort while controlling energy bills more effectively.

Ideally, looking for heaters with high grade stainless steel construction will be the best for the more corrosive conditions that salty air generates. 304 grade stainless steel is the best as it’s incredibly resilient. You can also get specialised sealed units made especially for coastal or marine areas, making it easy to select an option that’ll work well, but will also stand the test of time.

Depending on whether you opt for gas or electric, the Australian safety and compliance standards will vary slightly. The key thing is to ensure that any electrical work or gas installation is done by someone licensed to ensure compliance with AS/NZS electrical standards. Equally, once your heaters are installed, ensure you leave adequate ventilation around them and avoid placing anything nearby, whether that’s furniture or a charcoal barbeque for interactive dining, that could damage the wiring or catch fire on a gas flame.

It’s also worth planning the purchase early. Panel heaters come in gas or electric, and they’re usually built in at the time of construction rather than added later, so order well in advance to make sure they’re on site when your installer needs them.

Panel heaters integrate seamlessly into outdoor dining when mounted strategically to deliver even, natural warmth. While the layout of your dining area will dictate where you can place them to an extent, we generally recommend installing your Outdoor Panel Heaters above dining tables, along structural beams, or against the main walls for even heat distribution that won’t adversely impact the visual appeal of your seating or dining area. You can also create windbreaks during the colder months with things like pergolas or umbrellas to retain warmth and shield guests from the elements.