Alfresco dining areas can add another dimension to a restaurant or bar, increasing capacity and adding an attractive and trendy to inside dining. However, they are exceptionally problematic to heat due to the large open space lacking sufficient insulation and room to place large heaters. Additionally, these dining areas are outside and at the mercy of the extremely unpredictable mother nature, making effective heating all year round challenging.

Often, this results in bars and restaurants only utilising their alfresco dining areas when the weather and temperature outside permits, resulting in wasted space and reduced capacity during the colder months.

All of these issues are as a direct result of the use of traditional heating systems in these areas, such as large gas heaters. The setback with these types of systems is that they are not energy efficient as they are affected by external factors such as wind, moreover they take up a lot of valuable floor space. This frequently leads to them not even being used, consequently resulting in a cold area.

In order to ensure that the dining area can be used, a dedicated heating system is vital. Not only do infrared heaters extend the months that the area can be used in, in turn increasing the capacity of the bar/restaurant, they are highly energy efficient and cost effective.

Benefits of using infrared heating in alfresco dining areas

• Infrared light penetrates the air quickly in a way similar to how the sun heats the air, providing instant heat in the surrounding area, regardless of outside temperature.
• Infrared invisible light is not affected by wind and other weather conditions, saving money on energy costs.
• Infrared heaters can be used to heat specific target areas using zone control, preventing energy wastage in parts of the alfresco area not in use.
• Extends the ‘terrace season,’ allowing bars and restaurants to enjoy the outdoor areas for longer periods of the year, increasing capacity and profit.
• Infrared heaters can be mounted on walls, unlike traditional systems, therefore not taking up valuable floor space.
• Infrared heating systems do not create a ‘stuffy’ environment unlike gas heaters. This is because they target specific surfaces, reducing heat loss to the environment.
• They are weatherproof, so are ideal for outdoor areas.