New customer? Spend £200 or more and get 5% discount off your order. Use the code onetime5off at checkout.
New customer? Spend £200 or more and get 5% discount off your order. Use the code onetime5off at checkout.
Sol*Aire outdoor infrared heaters are designed for covered patios, pergolas, and sheltered outdoor dining areas. Unlike gas patio heaters, electric infrared models produce instant warmth with no fumes and no requirement for gas bottles. Wall and ceiling mounting is standard, directing radiant heat downwards to where it is needed. Outputs range from 1.0kW to 3.0kW; most models carry an IP55 rating for wet-weather conditions. Remote control and thermostat variants are available across the range.
Everything you need to know
Electric infrared heaters are widely considered the most practical choice for covered patios and pergolas. They produce radiant heat almost instantly with no warm-up delay, no gas supply, and no combustion fumes. Wall or ceiling-mounted models keep floor space clear and direct heat downward to seated occupants. A 2.0-2.5kW output is typically sufficient for a covered outdoor area of around 8-12m², depending on the degree of enclosure.
Yes. Unlike gas heaters or convector heaters, which rely on warming the surrounding air, infrared heaters transfer energy directly to objects and people via radiated heat. Air movement does not significantly reduce this effect, as the infrared radiation is not carried away by wind. This makes wall or ceiling-mounted infrared heaters particularly effective in open-sided covered structures such as pergolas and canopies where draughts are common.
For outdoor installation in a covered but exposed position, a minimum IP55 rating is recommended. IP55 indicates protection against dust ingress and resistance to low-pressure water jets from any direction, which is appropriate for rain splash in outdoor use. Sol*Aire outdoor infrared heaters in this range are IP55-rated. Fully open, unsheltered positions exposed to driving rain go beyond IP55 conditions; positioning under a canopy or roof overhang is strongly advised.
A 2.0kW outdoor infrared heater uses 2 kWh of electricity per hour of operation. At the current Ofgem price cap rate of approximately 24p per kWh, this equates to around 48p per hour at full output. Most outdoor heaters are used in short evening sessions of two to three hours, making typical usage costs modest. Lower-output models (1.0-1.5kW) reduce running costs further and are sufficient for smaller or more enclosed outdoor areas.
Sol*Aire outdoor infrared heaters rated IP55 can withstand incidental rain splash and are designed for permanent outdoor installation in covered positions. They are not suitable for direct, sustained exposure to driving rain or for positions where water could pool or flow over the unit. Installation under a pergola, canopy, or covered roof section is recommended. As a precaution, isolating the heater at the spur when not in use during prolonged wet weather is advisable.
