Stop Losing Money to the Cold: A Better Way to Heat Your Patio
Let’s be honest: outdoor seating is a nightmare once the temperature drops. You’ve got these beautiful pergolas, but if it’s freezing, your customers aren’t going to sit in them. They’ll either stay inside—crowding your indoor tables—or just go somewhere else. That’s where shortwave infrared heaters come in. Here is the trick: most heaters try to warm up the air. But if you’re outdoors, the wind just blows that warm air away the second it’s created. It’s a waste of electricity. Shortwave IR is different. It doesn’t care about the air. It beams heat directly onto people and objects, almost like sitting in the sun on a crisp autumn day. Even if there’s a breeze, your guests stay warm. Plus, we use waterproof housings, so you don’t have to panic when a sudden rainstorm or heavy dew hits your equipment. A few things to watch out for during setup. First, check your breaker panel. These heaters pull a lot of power. If you plug them into the same circuit as your kitchen gear, you’re probably going to trip a breaker right in the middle of the dinner rush. Give them their own dedicated line. Then there’s the height. It’s a bit of a balancing act. If you hang them too high, the heat doesn’t reach the guests. Too low? You’re going to burn someone’s shoulder. We’ve found that keeping them around 2.5 to 3 meters up is usually the sweet spot. The bottom line for your business. When people are cold, they want to leave. Period. But when they feel cozy—that perfect 22-25°C vibe—they linger. They order another round of drinks. They actually look at the dessert menu. That’s how you bump up your average check without even trying. One last tip: these things live in a harsh environment. We use corrosion-resistant alloys so you don’t end up with ugly rust streaks running down your pergola beams. And a heads-up on the lighting. These units can be pretty bright. If you’ve spent a lot of time crafting a moody, dim atmosphere for your patio, make sure to go with low-glare reflectors. You want your guests to feel the warmth, not feel like they’re being interrogated under a spotlight.