A heater is the difference between a party that goes home at nine and a party that carries on into the evening. But how many do you need, and how do you plug them in without tripping the electrics? Here's what we recommend.
The guide: one heater per 20 m²
| Space | Heaters | On a cold evening |
|---|---|---|
| Party tent 4×5 m (20 m²) | 1 | 2 |
| Party tent 5×8 m (40 m²) | 2 | 3 |
| Both tents together | 3 | 4–5 |
Closed sides matter just as much as the number of heaters. In a closed tent the heat stays in, but in an open tent or on a deck it blows away with the breeze.
On the deck or in an open space
Out in the open, a heater mainly warms the people standing or sitting close to it. Put the heaters where people gather, by the tables or by the bar, rather than spreading them evenly over the area. Sheltered by the wall of the house, the heat goes further than on an open lawn.
About the heaters
Our patio heaters are 2000 W free-standing electric heaters with three heat settings. You switch them on and change the setting by pulling the cord. They are rated IPX4, so they can handle spray and damp. Because they run on electricity, they can be used inside a tent, where open flames and gas heaters are not allowed. Hire is ISK 4,990 per day, and we have ten heaters.
The electricity: where most people run into trouble
Each heater draws 2000 W. That means two heaters on the same circuit in the fuse box can trip it, especially if a beer tap, an oven or a kettle is on the same circuit.
- One circuit per heater. Find out in advance which sockets are on which circuit. The outdoor socket and the garage are often on separate ones.
- The right cables. Use an outdoor extension cable rated for the load and unwind it fully from the reel, otherwise it can overheat.
- Give the beer tap its own circuit. It doesn't draw much, but added to a heater on the same circuit it will often trip it.
Safety
- Keep the heater at least 1 m from the tent fabric, walls and anything that can burn.
- Stand it on a level, stable surface and don't hang anything on it.
- Switch it off when no one is nearby and at the end of the evening.
- The heating head gets hot. Let it cool down before moving it.
You'll find detailed instructions in the patio heater instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How many heaters do you need in a 5×8 m tent?
Two, and three on a cold evening. Keep the sides closed so the heat stays in.
Can you use a patio heater inside a party tent?
Yes, our electric heaters can be used in the tent as long as they're at least 1 m from the fabric. Gas heaters and open flames are not allowed.
Why does the power trip when I switch on the heater?
There's too much on the same circuit in the fuse box. Each heater draws 2000 W, so move it to a socket on a different circuit.