Patio Heaters

[Adam2384]

We’ve recently acquired two patio heaters for our property in the UK. Given that there are only three or four months in a year ( at most) where it’s comfortable to sit out after dark in the UK, we believe that these will make an attractive addition to our guest offering, enabling them to take advantage of our beautifully designed patio outside these few warm months. However, given the propane gas is not cheap, we are weighing whether, and how, we would charge our guests for the use of them. (Whilst they would certainly extend the usable hours of the patio in the cooler spring and autumn evenings, what we wouldn’t want people doing is burning them all day during the winter months). Does the community have any thoughts on what the optimal approach should be? My best thought is that we would charge people a fixed day rate which would largely accord with the likely cost of the propane gas used, (although unlike with electricity usage, it’s impossible to have any kind of exact measurement). Does the community have any other ideas?

[Marie8425]

@Adam2384 

A suggestion is incorporate into your nightly pricing the expense of a reasonable use.  Then just state in your listing you are generously providing propane but to insure reasonable use of this great benefit, we must limit free propane to so much per reserved night.  

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Adam2384 

If allowing this attractive amenity to my guests at no charge would result in a negative cash flow, I'd not offer it. However, long term, this may end up being so wonderful that it would attract more business and thus  become a real asset. I'd not charge, and if a guest wanted to use the heater to enjoy the outdoor area all day, that's what it is for, imho. The remedy might be to remove the heaters during the winter, so that guests would either stay indoors or bundle up. We provide unlimited propane to our guests, and the automatic diesel generator comes on when electricity use depletes the ample battery bank. Winter operation is vastly more costly for us (off grid) because of propane use and generator. It is our choice if we want to offer our space to guests in winter, instead of closing down. We limit our own use of heat in winter, wearing more layers and a warm jacket, hat and scarf indoors. We also take short showers, being careful of propane for heating water and generator for pumping the well. We don't think it is fair to require our paying guests to do the same. In summer, guests use the A/C as much as they wish. At times this causes the generator to run, even with full sun for solar. Propane and diesel are nearly $5 a gallon here in rural Northern California, and we fill our multiple tanks at great cost to us. It is just the price of doing business for us. Just a thought, do the math, see what is the cost/benefit analysis.

[Joseph2571]

This is such an interesting post—thanks for sharing it, @Adam2384.

I’ve actually got a quality outdoor heater, but it never even crossed my mind to make it available to guests... until now. You’ve definitely got me thinking!

Appreciate hearing the different takes on how to balance guest comfort with sustainability (and cost). Curious to hear what others have tried too.

[Alex]

Hello @Adam2384, 

Thank you for participating in the Community! This is such a great topic to discuss! 👀

I saw you were asking for advice and ideas about the patio heaters and I saw you got a few answers in the post, did you get the chance of checking them? 👇

[Frances3408]

@Adam2384. Adam, I have had these and its a very expensive way to heat an open area for an extended period. One cheap quick option we have is zip plastic roll down blinds that block rain and wind but also keep warm air in for longer. Longer term consider getting strip heaters and hard wired to mains. You can then factor electricity costs into nightly rate.

In Autumn and Winter months here we bring out the fire pit which creates a cosy outdoor experience for star gazing that many city folk dont get. But they dont stay outdoors for too long when its cold so yes focus on making the patio comfortable.

Here in OZ we export most of our gas so unfortunately domestically it costs so much more to use and why solar panel uptake is huge.