Stop Letting Your Patio Go to Waste in the Winter
It’s a frustrating sight: a beautiful outdoor seating area just sitting there, empty, because it’s too cold for anyone to actually use it. Most people try those standard heaters that warm up the air, but the second a breeze kicks in, all that heat just blows away. That’s why we use shortwave infrared. Instead of trying to fight the wind by heating the air, these emitters send heat directly to your guests and their chairs. It feels more like stepping into a patch of sunlight on a crisp day. Your guests stay warm even when the temperature outside is plummeting. Why “Shortwave” actually matters We stick with shortwave tech because it’s fast. Really fast. Medium or longwave heaters take their time, but shortwave hits almost instantly. The moment a customer sits down, they feel that warmth. It kills that “chill factor” that usually makes people rush through their meal or beg to be moved inside. The bottom line: Warm seats make money Let’s be honest—heat is basically occupancy. When you put these units over your best tables, you’re essentially adding more square footage to your restaurant during the off-season. I’ve noticed two things happen when you get this right: First, people will actually pick a heated outdoor table over a cramped, noisy spot inside. And second, they stay longer. Cold guests want to leave. Warm guests stay for that extra round of drinks or a slice of cake. A few things to watch out for You can mount these on the ceiling or the walls, which is great for keeping your floor clear. And since they don’t rely on moving air, you don’t have to worry about a gust of wind ruining the vibe. But here is the catch: these things pull a lot of power. High-wattage arrays put a serious strain on your electrical panel. If your wiring isn’t up to the task, you’re looking at tripped breakers right in the middle of a Friday night dinner rush. Nobody wants that. Do yourself a favor and map out your electrical footprint before you start wiring. It’s much better to fix the panel now than to have the whole system burn out when you need it most.