Heating Solutions for Your Outdoor Spaces: Combining Comfort, Performance, and Savings
To heat your outdoor spaces, forget inefficient convection and opt for infrared radiation. This technology directly targets people for instant thermal comfort, unaffected by wind. Thanks to intelligent control and precise power calculation per m², you ensure controlled energy consumption while maximizing the profitability of your terraces. Investing in a professional infrared installation is the sustainable solution to extend your welcoming seasons throughout the year.
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Whether extending the summer season on a restaurant terrace, setting up an outdoor reception area, or equipping a break area in a business, outdoor heating has become essential equipment. However, heating "empty space" can quickly become a financial and ecological drain if the technology is not suitable. At Climatik, we support professionals in transforming their outdoor spaces into high-performance thermal comfort zones through targeted and intelligent solutions.
1. The Challenge of Outdoor Heating: Why Does Convection Fail?
Indoors, we generally heat the air (convection). Outdoors, this method is completely ineffective: hot air, being lighter, rises instantly, and the slightest draft carries away the heat, which comes at a high cost.
To heat effectively outdoors, we must move away from air as a transfer medium. This is where infrared radiation comes in.
The Principle of Radiation
Radiation works like sunbeams: it passes through the air without heating it and only releases its heat upon contact with a solid object (a person, furniture, the ground). This is the only technology capable of guaranteeing constant comfort even in the presence of wind.
2. Infrared: The Premier Technology
Among electrical solutions, infrared is the technology that Climatik recommends for open spaces.
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Instant Performance: Unlike gas "patio heaters" that require 10 to 15 minutes of preheating, infrared reaches 100% of its power in less than 2 seconds.
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Thermal Efficiency: Approximately 92% of the electrical energy consumed is converted into direct heat.
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Insensitivity to Wind: Short waves are not deflected by drafts. You heat your customers, not the neighborhood.
3. Gas vs. Electricity: The Profitability Showdown
Long dominant, gas heating (patio heaters) is losing ground to efficient electric solutions for several reasons:
| Criteria | Gas Heating (Propane) | Electric Infrared Heating |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | Low to medium | Medium |
| Operating Cost | High (gas refills) | Moderate (depending on kWh tariff) |
| Maintenance | Heavy (bottle handling) | Almost none (lamp replacement) |
| CO2 Footprint | High (direct combustion) | Low (if decarbonized electricity) |
| Safety | Risk of tipping / leakage | Total safety (wall mounting) |
Climatik's Observation: In addition to logistical constraints, gas primarily heats by convection, making it much less effective as soon as a breeze picks up.
4. Control to Save: Optimization Levers
Economically heating an outdoor space relies on precise management of power and operating time.
Zoning
Thanks to centralized control, you only heat the occupied areas of your establishment. This can reduce energy bills by 30% to 50% over a season.
Calculate the Required Power
To ensure comfort without waste, the placement of devices is crucial. Climatik uses power-per-square-meter (P/m²) ratios based on exposure.
The simplified formula for the number of devices (N) is:
N = S x Wm² / Punit
Where:
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S: Surface to be heated in m².
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Wm²: Desired power (generally between 250W and 400W per m² outdoors).
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Punit: Power of the chosen emitter (e.g., 2000W).
Climatik Example: For a 20 m² semi-sheltered terrace (requiring 300W/m²), a total power of 6,000W is needed. Therefore, 3 emitters of 2000W will be strategically distributed to avoid cold spots.
5. Design and Integration: Aesthetics at the Service of Comfort
Today, outdoor heating solutions integrate perfectly into the architecture of establishments. Climatik offers various finishes:
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Fixed Devices: They reduce emitted red light by 80%, offering a subdued and elegant ambiance, far from the industrial look of older models.
Why Choose Climatik for Your Outdoor Project?
Developing an outdoor space requires expertise that goes beyond simply installing an electrical device.
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Installation Study: We conduct a thermal coverage simulation to ensure that no customer feels a cold draft.
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Electrical Power Management: Outdoor heating is energy-intensive. We check your electrical panel (single-phase or three-phase) and phase balancing to avoid any tripping during service.
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IP Certified Material (Protection Index): Ensuring maximum longevity in saline or humid environments.
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Regulatory Compliance: We advise you on best practices to comply with local legislation while preserving your activity.
Conclusion
Successful outdoor heating means moving from a "heating the air" approach to a "precision heating" approach. By favoring infrared and combining it with intelligent regulation, it is entirely possible to offer exceptional comfort to your customers while controlling energy consumption.
Do you want to make your terrace profitable even in winter? Contact Climatik experts for a personalized study. Together, let's make your outdoor spaces profitable and comfortable areas, 365 days a year.
