One of the primary advantages of Australia’s geographical position is its relatively mild weather. Hence Australian winters aren’t usually as extreme as European and American winters. For example, typical winter temperatures in the Sydney area rarely dip below eight degrees Celsius. Therefore, all you need to stay warm is a jacket and the optional scarf. Sometimes, it is even warm enough to forgo any outerwear.
During the cooler months, the primary hindrance to enjoying the outdoors is temperatures and rain. Therefore, you need a solution that helps you alleviate colder temperatures. Your answer to this dilemma comes in the form of outdoor heating.
Three primary outdoor heating options are available: gas, wood-fired and electric. Each type has varying pros and cons, which are listed below.
Electric Heaters
Electric heaters are a manifestation of significant advancements in home heating technology. They are the embodiment of modern heating solutions. Moreover, they come with numerous advantages, including ease of use, convenience, minimal maintenance and, most significantly, precise temperature control.
The primary disadvantage of electric heaters is their fuel source. Electricity is costly, and these heaters use a lot of power. Therefore, owning an electric heater means dealing with higher energy bills. In addition, since you are reliant on a consistent power supply, an outage will leave you without heat.
Gas Heaters
Like electric heaters, gas heaters are convenient and easy to use. You only need to strike a match and open the output valve to operate them. Some gas heater models even have a switch, thus eliminating the need for a match. In addition to the ease of lighting, gas doesn’t produce smoke.
The cons of using gas heaters include flammability and the potential for dangerous leaks. As a result, to avoid uncontrolled fires, you must be diligent in checking your supply lines for any leakages. Additionally, gas prices tend to fluctuate, with a tendency to have more increases than decreases. Therefore, it can be hard to keep track of your energy bills.
Wood-fired Heaters
Wood-fired heaters are the original heating solution. Thus, their longevity and continued popularity speak to their reliability and visual draw. After all, there is nothing like sitting in front of burning logs and enjoying the stunning visual of dancing flames and the soothing sound of a crackling fire. In addition to their aesthetic value, wood-fired heaters are very efficient in heating large spaces.
While beautiful, wood-fired heaters require a lot of patience to light and operate. Before enjoying any warmth, you must collect the firewood, stack them properly, and light the fire. Once done, you must be ready to tend the fire, lest the logs burn out. Moreover, for your safety, you must remove the ashes from the fireplace and extinguish all burning embers as they are fire risks.
So, as the seasons change and the temperatures drop, don’t despair of enjoying your outdoor area. Instead, you only need to examine the above advantages and disadvantages to determine which outdoor heating option is ideal for your home.
