The transition from Winter to Spring can be a little unpredictable here in Canada. We can get ALL the weather as we move from April into May, while hot and cold battle it out. Temperatures fluctuate greatly, and often, with precipitation ranging from rain to ice to snow, sometimes all in one day. Eventually, everything works itself out and we can rely on nice weather. If you want to make the most of the nicer days, and get outside, it’s a good idea to have some sort of exterior heater on your porch, patio or balcony. That way, you’re not at the mercy of Mother Nature when the temperatures turn cool without warning. There are more ways than ever for adding a little heat outdoors, including electric outdoor heaters and outdoor fireplaces. More electric fireplace manufacturers are choosing to make their products suitable for indoor and outdoor installations, to meet the growing demand for comfortable outdoor spaces. In this article, we’re outlining the best options for electric exterior heaters:

Napoleon Phantom freestanding exterior heaters

The Napoleon NEOFV80IH exterior heater is great innovation in patio heaters. It offers more flexibility than ceiling-mounted heaters, because it may be moved to where you need it. The weighted base is heavy enough to provide stability, with rear wheels to allow you to tilt it back for repositioning. The heater arm may be moved from a vertical position to an overhead position, so you get heat right where you need it. The Phantom heater plugs into a regular 120-volt outlet, so there’s no need for hardwiring. Heat output may be adjusted with an easy lighted dial. There’s also a dimmable LED light in the end of the heater arm, to give you extra lighting overhead. When the heater is not in use, you can lock the heater arm into its vertical position, and protect it from the elements with the included zippered cover. There are many uses for this versatile, flexible exterior heater: near your outdoor dining table; near your BBQ for cold weather grilling; in the garage or workshop.

Napoleon NEOFV80IH outdoor heater
Napoleon Phantom freestanding exterior heater is portable and may be moved where it’s needed

Amantii Outdoor Electric Fireplaces as exterior heaters

Almost all Amantii electric fireplaces are tested and rated for safe outdoor use, as long as there is a structural overhang above. Amantii makes a huge range of fireplaces, with both 120-volt and 240-volt electrical connections. On 120-volts, the fireplaces will produce up to 5000 BTUs of supplemental heat. On 240-volts, the fireplaces will produce up to 10,000 BTUs of heat. As with all electric fireplaces, when the heaters are on, the blowers are on, so heat is pushed into the surrounding area. Amantii makes traditional and linear styles, with depths from 6-inches to 15-inches, and single-sided glass as well as multi-sided glass. Their smallest outdoor fireplace is the Cube, which may be wall-mounted. The largest slim outdoor fireplace is the 100-inch Symmetry. Their largest deep outdoor fireplace is the 88-inch TRV-XT extra-tall multi-sided. Traditional styles range in size from 26-inches to 48-inches. All Amantii electric fireplaces offer flames that may be adjusted from yellow to orange to red, to stand up to intense natural light.

Dimplex Outdoor Electric Fireplaces as exterior heaters

While Dimplex has been producing electric fireplaces for many decades, it is only recently that they have had some of their models rated for outdoor use. Their best-selling Ignite series has three models that are now safe for outdoor installations:

This means that you can have a slim 6-inch depth with XLF or EVO, or a 12-inch depth with Ignite Bold. Ignite Bold is also multi-sided, so you can install it as a single-sided, 2-sided L, or 3-sided bay design. Nothing has changed with the flames, so you get all of the realism and natural flame effects that Dimplex is known for. As exterior heaters, Ignite is an excellent option, as all are dual-voltage. They may be connected to either 120-volts or 240-volts, for heat output ranging from 5000 to 10,000 BTUs respectively. Ignite also features the Dimplex Comfort$aver heating system, with both an Eco energy-saving setting and a heat Boost for quicker warmth.

Modern Flames Outdoor Electric Fireplaces as exterior heaters

Modern Flames has 2 series that are safe for outdoor use:

Both are built-in and therefore must be hard-wired. Landscape Pro Slim models are just 6-inches deep, with 120-volt connection and 5000 BTUs of heating output. Landscape Pro Multi models are multi-sided, which means they are also a little deeper, at 11.5-inches. LPM models have more robust heating capabilities, as they may be connected to 240 volts for up to 10,000 BTUs of heating. The Landscape Pro series are both known for their full-spectrum colour effects, where you can change the flames, ember lights and top lights to any colour in the colour wheel. These are great for those of us who want to replicate the northern lights any night of the year. These are exterior heaters that put on a light show!

Summary of Exterior Heaters

There are may attractive ways to add exterior heaters to your outdoor spaces this Spring. If you need something movable, the Napoleon Phantom freestanding electric heater is a great option that plugs into a regular 120-volt outlet. If you want a little more ambiance with your exterior heater, then you can choose from 3 great brands of electric fireplaces that are rated for outdoor use: Amantii, Dimplex and Modern Flames. There is a size and shape of outdoor electric fireplace for every need, with heating output from 5000 to 10,000 BTUs.