Stop Letting Your Patio Go Cold in the Winter
It’s a frustrating sight: a beautiful outdoor dining area sitting completely empty just because the temperature dropped. Most people try to fix this with standard space heaters, but those things are basically useless once a breeze kicks in. They try to heat the air, and in an open patio, the air just… leaves. That’s why we use shortwave infrared. Instead of fighting the wind, these lamps send heat directly to your guests’ skin and clothes. It feels like stepping into a patch of sunlight on a crisp day. Even if it’s freezing out, your guests stay warm because the heat isn’t floating away—it’s hitting them. The “Instant” Factor Here is the best part: there’s no waiting around. We use high-wattage units because they hit hard and fast. The second you flip the switch, it’s warm. No twenty-minute warm-up period where your customers are shivering over their appetizers. When guests feel cozy the moment they sit down, they relax. They stay longer. They order another round of drinks. It just makes the whole flow of the evening better. Getting the Setup Right The hardware is pretty straightforward—usually quartz tubes with gold or aluminum reflectors to push the heat straight down. But you have to get the height right. We usually aim for about 2.5 to 3 meters. If you mount them too high, the heat thins out and doesn’t do much. Too low? Your guests will feel like their heads are in an oven. One heads-up: check your electrical panel before you start drilling holes. A few 2kW heaters pull a lot of power. If your wiring is old or limited, you might trip a breaker right in the middle of a Friday night rush. It’s worth having an electrician take a look or staggering the load so you don’t go dark when you’re busiest. Is it Worth the Cost? Look, these lamps aren’t cheap to run. Your electric bill will definitely go up. But think about the alternative. You’re turning a seasonal dead zone into a money-maker for an extra three or four months a year. Between the extra table turns and the liquor sales, the electricity cost usually feels like a drop in the bucket. Plus, it’s a lot easier to keep your staff employed year-round when you actually have seats to fill.