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How to Heat Outdoor Entertaining Spaces and Stay Toasty Warm?

How to Heat Outdoor Entertaining Spaces and Stay Toasty Warm?

Spring and autumn are fantastic times of the year to entertain outdoors. Eating and drinking alfresco always feels special. However, spring and autumn in Australia still bring some cold days and evenings. Whether offering dining under a pergola, awning, parasol or retractable canopy there is one particular challenge that all premises face – how to heat outdoor dining spaces effectively. In this article, we’ll show you how to effectively heat your outdoor space warm all season long and keep guests and patrons enjoying till late into the night.

1. Choose an efficient short-wave heater to avoid heat loss.

 

Gas heaters and most electric heaters produce long (known as ‘Far’) or medium infrared, and they are susceptible to poor performance in windy and exposed positions. A large part of the heat will be lost (between 40% and 60%) while there is air movement.

 

 

 

To reduce heat loss, it is important to choose a more targeted type of infrared heater (like Heliosa alfresco heater) for your outdoor heating. Compared to traditional electric panel heaters and commercial gas heaters, short-wave infrared is more intense than medium and long-wave infrared. It warms people and surfaces first and foremost. The short-wave infrared has 92% radiant efficiency. It is nearer the visible light spectrum so the lamp is visible, but this light only accounts for 6% of the energy emitted.

 

If a short-wave infrared heater is combined with a parabolic reflector, it will offer a larger heating range than all other similar wattage forms of the radiant heater. Make it the option of choice for outdoor venues and large open spaces.

2. Assess your space and install it with a more efficient layout.

 

While you plan to install heaters in your outdoors or courtyard, they need to be mounted at the correct height and layout, ensuring the intensity is dissipated correctly to maximize the area heated and minimize hot spots. Most electric radiant heaters will need to be mounted above 2.2m. In the case of the short-wave heater, this can be up to 2.2m – 2.7m.

 

You also need to check the clearance recommended between the top of the heater and the ceiling. In some cases, the heater’s casing can get very hot, potentially damaging your property if they are too close.

 

Meanwhile, some heaters will have requirements about the mounting angle. For example, Heliosa short-wave heaters should be mounted at an angle off the wall or ceiling to maximise the heated area. This differs from other infrared panel heaters, which are mounted horizontally to maximise their effect over a smaller area.

 

3. Choose focusing reflectors to maximize heat and safety

 

Choosing an efficient heater with a focusing reflector can deliver heat more targeted where it’s needed. For example, Heliosa 66 alfresco heatesr and Helios Seaside infrared heaters come with patented polished aluminium reflectors, which help throw heat away from the lamp in a wedge.  More importantly, the heater casing does not get very hot (between 45°C and 70°C dependent upon the model) and can be safely mounted within 200mm of a ceiling, parasol or awning.

 

4. Consider IPx5 weatherproof rating.

 

If you are planning to install the infrared heater in an outdoor space, choosing an efficient heater with an appropriate Ingress Protection (IP)rating is essential. For installing heaters outside under cover, you need a less stringent IP rating like IPx3 or IPx4. While if outside in the open, you should look for IPx5-rated heaters. Our Heliosa short-wave infrared heaters are all IPx5, which allows your heaters to work in any harsh weather conditions, and you can enjoy warmth anytime. The Helios Seaside even can help you work out corrosion problems in seafront alfresco.

 

 

5. Choose an energy-efficient and reliable heater supplier – Infrared Australia

 

At Infrared Australia, we pride ourselves on exploring energy-efficient heating solutions for outdoor areas and ‘impossible to heat’ spaces.

 

We provide a superior range of Heliosa infrared heaters that are now changing Australia’s outdoor living style. Heliosa heater is an economical alternative to conventional heaters, offering substantial advantages through reduced energy wastage and energy savings. The patented parabolic reflector offers wider coverage than others, covering up to 20㎡ with one 2000W lamp. Our Heliosa range of alfresco heaters will be an excellent option for even the most challenging otherwise impossible to heat situations. It has been installed in thousands of homes, hotels, cafes, restaurants, warehouses, and other large spaces since 1993.

 

Want to customize a heating layout plan for your space?

Get in touch with us via email at [email protected] or call (08) 7122 1114, and our team will help you to find out the best solutions.

 

Want to know more about our infrared heater via practical applications?

Please assess our case studies to learn more about Heliosa infrared heater use in stylish homes & hospitality. You can also experience our heater in one of the available locations near you or at the Melbourne Home Innovation Centre.

 

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Case study: Maximize rooftop bar dining experience with Heliosa Infrared Heaters

Case study: Maximize rooftop bar dining experience with Heliosa Infrared Heaters

Shelbourne hotel’s rooftop bar is one of the best spots for gathering with friends and hosting corporate parties in Sydney. This Hamptons-inspired rooftop bar has many stunning seats and provides an airy open space that allows light in so that their guests can enjoy Darling harbour views. However, the downside of the rooftop bar is that it can be a cold space for much of the year. Shelbourne hotel’s management consulted with Infrared Australia about how best to maintain the open aspect of the roof garden without having to enclose it to keep it warm.

 

(Source: Shelbourne Hotel Website).

 

Solutions – Heliosa Infrared Heating

 

As an expert in alfresco heating solutions, we recommended six stylish Heliosa 66 short-wave infrared heaters to deliver instant targeted heat in this semi-open space. As the largest coverage and efficient infrared heater on the market, Heliosa heaters can provide full heat in just a second, and there is no need to pre-heat a few hours ahead to warm the whole area. The 92% of radiant efficiency means customers are always comfortable, even if there is a breeze or in cold weather. As almost all the warmth from the heaters is radiating off people and surfaces rather than heating air.

 

The Heliosa range of infrared heaters is commercial quality and easy to install on walls, ceilings, or a stand. As Shelbourne Hotel management has found out, this patio heater has an instant ‘wow’ factor that no other heater can match and their guests always enjoy their dining with comfy seats.

 

At Infrared Australia, we offer energy-efficient and cost-saving infrared heaters for outdoor areas and ‘impossible to heat’ spaces.

 

Want to customize a heating layout plan for your space?

Get in touch with us via email at [email protected] or call (08) 7122 1114, and our team will help you to find out the best solutions.

 

Want to know more about our infrared heater via practical applications?

Please access our case studies to learn more about Heliosa infrared heater use in stylish homes & hospitality. You can also experience our heater in one of the available locations near you or at the Melbourne Home Innovation Centre.

 

Extend Outdoor Season Year-Round for All Guests at the Union Hotel!

Extend Outdoor Season Year-Round for All Guests at the Union Hotel!

When the days get gloomy and cold in South Australia, making the open area warm and cosy is a top priority for the Union Hotel. That’s why 3 Heliosa 66 infrared heaters were chosen as the ideal product by the Hotel team to replace old style radiant heaters and ensure that their guests sitting outdoors are always comfortable. The energy-efficient and instant heat features are perfect for al fresco dining area heating applications.

 

When the days get gloomy and cold in South Australia, making the open area warm and cosy is a top priority for the Union Hotel.

Cr: Union Hotel Facebook

 

At the iconic Adelaide CBD’s Union Hotel, the existing old-style electric radiant heaters didn’t distribute heat well. Since it was hard to project heat at a distance, customers were less inclined to use the outdoor area during the colder months or during cooler summer evenings. These old-style heaters needed to be left on to try to maintain comfortable temperatures resulting in wasted energy heating empty space.

 

Before I Old style radiant heaters

 

Having already used short-wave infrared at their suburban Leicester Arms and Sussex Arms Hotels, Management had no hesitation in replacing their tired medium-wave infrared radiant heaters with Heliosa 66 from us. The major advantages of instant heat and energy-efficient heat projection meant immediate saving in electricity costs at the same time as an overwhelmingly better customer experience and area utilization.

 

infrared heaters at union hotel, Adelaide CBD

 

As an expert in Short-wave Infrared Heating, Infrared Australia can design you a powerful restaurant heating solution with wide coverage and energy efficiency as we did for the Union Hotel team. Heliosa short-wave heaters are commercial quality heaters easily installed on walls, from ceilings or on stands. Nigel Smalls, Managing Director of Infrared Australia comments: “Unlike older style medium-wave infrared heaters which can only put out heat in front of a relatively narrow reflector, Heliosa short-wave heaters throw heat further away and importantly to the side. You do not need to place these heaters side-by-side to get a much-improved result.

 

To find out more information, please contact us or e-mail [email protected].

 

Keeping Guests Warm and Happy at the Ramada Resort

Keeping Guests Warm and Happy at the Ramada Resort

It can get cold in picturesque Phillip Island in Victoria and open fire heaters and panel heaters simply do not provide enough heat when the temperature drops, and cold winds blow in from Bass Strait. 

SBH Solutions are experts in Short Wave Infrared Heating and were approached by The Ramada Resort for assistance in providing effective warmth and comfort for their guests to enjoy their outside entertaining areas. 

Star Progetti’s range of Heliosa short wave infrared heaters provide instant warmth and coverage to become one of the world’s most efficient and effective heaters on the market.

Each area had a separate heating requirement and by utilising the Heliosa range, SBH Solutions were able to tailor a solution for each specific area. 

The Heliosa 66 with its larger heating area capacity was utilised for the restaurant dining area providing efficient heat and coverage over the larger area. The Heliosa 44 was utilised for the more intimate lounge area providing warmth and heat for guests directly below the heaters. The Heliosa 11 were utilised with controllers for the smaller bar table area so patrons seated on high stools can be warmed more effectively. 

“We are very pleased with the effectiveness and instant warmth the new heaters provide.

Our guests have praised the level of warmth and comfort in each area.

The quality of the heaters has been impressive, and we thank you for your exemplary service.

We look forward to installing your heaters in the outdoor areas as well.”

Tony Leliott – Manager – The Ramada Resort Phillip Island VIC

As seen in the Ramada resort case, Heliosa heaters can be used in several situations and applications. Get in touch with SBH Solutions at [email protected], and our team will be more than happy to help you with your heating issues.

Heliosa heaters improve comfort at the St. Joseph’s parish

Heliosa heaters improve comfort at the St. Joseph’s parish

The request was simple:

“I am the Parish Priest of a very cold town, Stanthorpe in Southern Queensland, the coldest place in winter – the Granite Belt.

Our large, high ceiling Catholic Parish Church is impossible to heat. Could your infrared heaters help – heating wise and less expensive than radiant heaters?  I read online good reports from the U.K. on this.

The Church will be one hundred years old in February 2023, and if I can successfully heat it for complaining parishioners, they might remember me for the next one hundred years.”

Gratefully,

Fr Brian Connolly

Though the existing infrared panel heaters looked aesthetically pleasing, they were only long-wave infrared panel heaters and lacked the range and intensity of short-wave infrared heaters.

Before: St. Josephs parish with long-wave IR panel heaters.

SBH Solutions provided a ‘heat map’ of the church area utilizing our Helios “Titan EHT2-40”, 2 x 2000W Short-wave Infrared Heaters which provide a greater range and standard of warmth.

Simply using the same number of heaters provided the warmth and reach the church required. Heating the parishioners and not the empty ceiling spaces whilst saving money and energy. A bonus is that there is no need to pre-heat the church before service because of the INSTANT warmth from short wave infrared.

Each unit comprising of 2 x 2000W of Short-Wave Infrared heating installed at a height of 3.5 metres provide a heat range of up to 32M².

It has been long understood in Europe that the most effective and cheapest way to heat the large open spaces in a Church is by using the projection of short-wave infrared. If you have a need to create comfort in your church space, we are only too happy to assist you.

After: St. Josephs parish fitted with Heliosa Titan EHT2-40 short-wave infrared heaters

“SBH Solutions’ customer service is refreshing as the consultation was professional and helpful. We were able to trial a unit, promptly delivered, to make sure it was suitable for our needs.”

Interested and require more information? Please contact your local representative or email us at [email protected]

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