Comparison Blumfeldt Heatbell Wall Smart vs Sahara Heat Focus 15 kW

The highest heat output that a patio heater is capable of delivering. This parameter directly determines the area that the device can heat: every 100 W of thermal power approximately corresponds to 1 m2 of the heated area. So, having data on power, it is possible to determine to a certain extent the space covered by the unit.

At the same time, it is worth noting that at high power values, the formula “100 W per 1 m2” is somewhat out of date. This is because when moving away from the heater, heat losses increase, and more power is required to heat distant areas than for close ones. Therefore, for gas models, which have indicators of 4 kW and above, slightly different calculation methods are used.

In addition to all this, it is worth bearing in mind that in models with mains power supply (see above), the maximum power actually corresponds to the total energy consumption of the heater. Therefore, this information will be useful for assessing the expected consumption of electricity and the load on the power mains.

The maximum power shows the limiting capabilities of the device. At the same time, most heating devices can adjust the heating mode, thereby reducing power consumption. The reduced power mode is more gentle on the wear of the heater and is appropriate for the long-term operation of the model. Which also favourably affects the power supply to which the device is connected.

Protective systems provided in the design of the patio heater.

— Overheat protection. A system that monitors the temperature of the device and turns off the power or gas supply (depending on the energy source) when it rises critically. Note that the cause of such an increase can be both a malfunction in the heater itself and external factors — for example, installation in a cramped place or covering the emitter with foreign objects. Anyway, overheating is fraught with accidents and even fires, and protection against it will not be superfluous.

— Water resistance. Special housing design that protects the sensitive elements of the heater from moisture. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to use the heater in adverse conditions, for example, during rain and snowfall. This function is relevant primarily for electric models because gas is insensitive to moisture and does not require special protection. Note that the degree of protection against moisture (and, accordingly, suitability for certain conditions) may be different; these points are indicated in more detail in the instructions or other official documents. In addition, the presence of this feature in itself does not guarantee the suitability of the heater for a long stay in conditions of high humidity — even if the protection is reliable enough for this, individual parts may corrode.

— Tip-over protection.... A system that automatically switches off the heater in the event of a tipping. Most modern outdoor heaters have a vertical layout and are designed to work in a "standing" position; a fall, usually, leads to a violation of the operating mode, which in turn is fraught with various unpleasant consequences. The surface on which the heater has fallen can be a fire hazard. This type of protection is provided to avoid possible troubles in such incidents.

The regular way to install a patio heater.

— Floor. Models that are installed directly on the floor or other similar surfaces (for example, asphalt or even a garden lawn). The main advantage of such heaters is the utmost ease of installation: for this, you do not need to mount special brackets. It is enough to find a more or less flat area. Accordingly, the rearrangement from place to place is extremely easy and fast. On the other hand, in the absence of a free area (for example, in cramped conditions), problems may arise with the installation of such a heater. Also, a common disadvantage of all floor models is their rather large dimensions, because to ensure proper efficiency, the heating element must be raised to a certain height; accordingly, the weight of devices of this type is also quite large. At the same time, in most cases, it is not critical, and most modern patio heaters use floor mounting.

— Wall mounted. Heaters designed for wall mounting. Such installation, usually, requires certain work — at least screwing in screws or other brackets on which the device will be held. Therefore, these heaters are meant to be permanently in one place (although the mounts may allow some degree of mobility and steerability). They are not as versatile as floor-standing ones and are mainly intended for situations where there is no space on the floor or it needs to be left free — an example i...s the open area of a cafe, where a floor device would block the passage between tables.

— Ceiling. Heaters suspended from the ceiling. According to the main practical features, they are completely similar to the wall-mounted ones described above — with the exception that they are attached not to a horizontal, but to a vertical surface. Another notable difference is that ceiling models are designed primarily for circular heating, while wall models are usually made directional.

Note that there are heaters that combine several types of installation — for example, models on a vertical stand that can be installed on the floor and suspended from the ceiling.