In this article we look at how choosing the right heating solution for restaurant and bar outdoor seating areas can help increase revenue.

Over recent years, there has been a continued rise in the popularity of stylish outdoor eating areas, with more and more mid to high-end restaurants looking to cash on for the demand for outdoor elegance and luxury.

Of course, creating an enticing outdoor seating area requires careful investment. So how can infrared heaters help to increase revenue and maximise the return on investment?

1. Provide optimum comfort and warmth

Here in Britain, we are not blessed with the warmest of weather. Even in the summer, evenings tend to become relatively chilly fairly early on, and throughout spring and autumn temperatures tend to remain on the low side during typical dining hours. This means that creating a comfortably warm environment for your guests is crucial. Ideally, your guests want to experience a pleasant heat level that is neither too hot nor too patchy, regardless of the elements.

Infrared heating is an ideal solution for such scenarios. For customers, one of the big attractions is that it provides a natural feeling heat that is similar to the natural warmth of the sun - an ideal complement for a setting that is closer to nature.

One of our most popular models for outdoor seating areas is the  Sorrento, which comes in single, double and even triple units making it suitable for use in every outdoor space regardless of its size. We also recommend the Rio Grande which is available as a single or double. For high-end spaces, our heater of choice would be the elite Bahama or Monaco low glare infrared heaters, our top-of-the-range models designed with luxury and elegance in mind.

2. Maintain the unique character and feel

For those restaurants with outdoor seating areas, creating a unique and exclusive outdoor dining experience that is filled with character is as important as having the right menu and the staff on hand to deliver exceptional service. Alongside the aesthetics and the ambience, practical needs must still, of course, be catered for.

One of the attractions of the Tansun range of infrared heaters is that they come with a range of options that enable them to blend in effortlessly, providing optimum heating without intruding on the character and feel of the space.

As well as being naturally compact and low glare, our units are also available in all RAL colours, meaning they will always blend in with their surroundings. Given the flexible mounting options, it is easy to discreetly fit our heaters - even in the trickiest of places. We also offer custom branding on our heating products to complement your existing branding where required.

CASE STUDY: Soho House & Co - Farmhouse Restaurant Project

3. Maximise the seating capacity

Whilst gas burners are a popular alternative to infrared heaters and also tend to be highly effective, one of the biggest disadvantages is the amount of floor space they typically require. Opting for infrared heaters allows you to make maximum possible use of the available floor space, potentially increasing your seating capacity significantly.

With the ease of mounting, Tansun's infrared quartz heaters offer options for every possible premises. Our heaters come with IP55 ratings as standard, meaning there is no need to worry about the units being exposed to the elements. Whether you are using them under a canopy, an awning or any other kind of setting, there is far greater flexibility for different seating arrangements to be used.

4. Reduce your energy costs

When it comes to heating outdoor seating areas, there are some key factors to consider. Whilst conventional electric radiators remain by far the most popular form of heating for internal areas, they are less efficient in the outdoor setting for two reasons. Firstly, radiators need to be pre-heated which can dramatically increase energy consumption. Secondly, as the heat is carried by convection, they are particularly vulnerable to heat loss resulting from free movement of air which also reduces their efficiency. Whilst gas burners are much better suited to the outdoor environment, they can also be prone to the same problem of heat loss. Please visit our "Heating Comparisons" page in our "Technical" section for more information.

Radiant infrared heaters, on the other hand, require no pre-heating and typically experience minimum heat loss. As a result, radiant infrared heaters can offer an exceptional 96% efficiency in comparison to other heating methods which will almost certainly benefit your bottom line.

Why Choose Tansun?

With over three decades in the business, Tansun have established themselves firmly as the world leader in Infrared heating. All of our products are manufactured to the very highest standards of quality right here in the UK and backed up by our excellent customer service. 

We pride ourselves on our levels of expertise and knowledge and are happy to discuss your heating needs in detail, no matter how unique the challenge

To talk to an expert now about how you can maximise the revenue from your outdoor seating area with the help of Tansun infrared heating solutions, call the team now on 0121 5806200 or visit our "Contact" page and we will get back to you as soon as we can.