During the colder months, bars and restaurants often have to give up their valuable outdoor areas, a not inconsiderable loss in terms of attendance. However, with the right heating system, it is possible to transform these spaces into cosy relaxation corners, where you can sip a good drink and enjoy that pleasant winter atmosphere, but without the discomfort of the bitter cold. Let’s find out together what the various heating systems are for outdoor areas of clubs, bars and restaurants, briefly highlighting the pros and cons of each.
What are the main heating options for bar and restaurant exteriors?
Let us therefore examine the different solutions available for heating outdoor areas of bars and restaurants, briefly evaluating their benefits and limitations. Each option has unique features that are adapted to specific needs and contexts, offering customised solutions to create warm and cosy environments even during the coldest times of the year.
- Underfloor heating: often used in cold areas, it is ideal as a snow melt for those outdoor areas that are more exposed, especially without roofing, but has limitations in terms of cost and complexity.
- Heat pump: more efficient and modern heating system, but impractical for outdoor areas of bars and restaurants, with higher installation costs than other solutions.
- Wood, pellet or bioethanol stoves: stoves and fireplaces are able to create a particularly cosy atmosphere, but they require constant maintenance and are not efficient in terms of energy dispersion, especially in insufficiently insulated outdoor areas.
- Electric heating lamps: practical and versatile, heating lamps are an economical solution in the short term, but can lead to very high energy consumption and only heat limited (and well-insulated) areas.
- Patio gas heaters: extremely functional and economical, they are a good solution without excessive energy waste, although they are not suitable for all outdoor spaces. They take up a lot of space by taking away tables and, being powered by gas bottles, running costs can be excessive and storage of the gas bottles unsafe.
- Infrared heating: a modern, practical and flexible heating system to heat – thanks to infrared technology – people and objects directly, in a localised manner and only when needed. The heat is immediate and adjustable and, in combination with presence detectors, the heaters can only be switched on when customers are present in the room.
The advantages of infrared heating for outdoor areas of premises
Infrared heating therefore emerges as one of the most versatile systems that can be adapted to any outdoor space without wasting energy. They can be installed on walls, on mobile stands and under parasols. This technology works by directly heating people and objects, instead of heating the surrounding air, providing immediate comfort.
- Immediate and localised heating, ideal for any type of outdoor space.
- Easy to install and operate, often featuring smart controls for precise heat regulation.
- Available in many designs to match the aesthetic qualities of any environment.
- Better environmental impact than other heating systems.
- High energy efficiency that translates into operating cost savings.
Infrared heating for outdoor spaces: concrete examples
Is infrared heating really the best system for outdoor spaces in bars and restaurants?
Well, it depends on many factors, such as the facilities present, the exposure of the outdoor area and the budget available, but it is certainly one of the most versatile, economical and efficient systems.
Let’s try some concrete examples, with fancy names: take the case of the ‘Bar Centrale’, under the arcades of an old building in a small Italian town. Initially, they used gas patio heaters for their outdoor area, but found the running costs too high and the heating uneven. After installing infrared heaters, they not only reduced the running costs, but also created a more cosy and comfortable atmosphere for those customers who want to spend a few moments relaxing outdoors. In addition, they have managed to increase the number of tables for customers with a considerable increase in turnover.
Or, we can talk about ‘Ristorante la Terrazza’, located on the seafront. Due to the presence of a temporary PVC structure, they used a special veranda heater in the past, but experienced maintenance problems and inefficiency on particularly cold days. By switching to infrared heating, they achieved more effective and constant heating, improving their customers’ experience.
Overall, infrared heating still proves to be one of the most cost-effective and versatile solutions for venues that wish to utilise outdoor spaces during cold weather, because it offers an optimal balance between cost, energy efficiency and comfort, making it a smart choice for bars, clubs and restaurants.