Infrared Heaters

Infrared patio heaters warm objects rather than air, the bodies and surfaces they're pointed at heat directly, while the surrounding air stays close to ambient temperature. The advantage is targeted warmth in covered or partly enclosed spaces (pergolas, garden bars, gazebos) where convection-style heaters lose their heat to the breeze. Output runs 1.5-3kW for domestic units; commercial-grade heaters push 4-6kW and need a 30A connection. Aosom UK, Cherry Lane Garden Centres and Fulfilora between them cover £23-£1,586 across the range. Wall-mount, ceiling-mount and freestanding floor-stand formats all sit in this category. Look for IP44 weatherproofing (covered patio) or IP55 (full outdoor exposure). Carbon-tube infrared heaters give warmer light (orange-red glow) and warm faster; quartz-tube is steadier and longer-life. Most domestic infrared heaters draw 2.2-2.5kW from a standard 13A socket, fine, but don't share the circuit with a kettle.