Propane outdoors
Overview
4 Smart Tips for Outdoor Living Upgrades
With fall, the nights begin turning cooler — but you don’t have to resign yourself to indoor living just yet. In fact, fall can be the perfect time to transform a seldom-used patio or deck into an extension of your home’s living space.
Propane appliances such as grills, patio heaters, fire pits, and lights help extend the warmth and the activities of summer while providing the foundation for upgraded outdoor space. Because many of these appliances are portable and available in a range of sizes and prices, you can customize your outdoor space to fit your style, needs, and budget.
If you’re handy and budget-minded, you may want to take on your outdoor room re-do as a do-it-yourself project. Just be sure to have a qualified service technician install your gas appliances.
Here are a few tips for smart outdoor living upgrades.
Make a budget. Before you start any project, it’s important to know how much money you’re willing to spend. And it’s a good idea to build in a 10 percent cushion for unexpected expenses.
Consider placement. When determining where to place your new propane grill or outdoor heater, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine a placement that optimizes performance. Keep outdoor appliances well away from furniture, deck rails, trees, and buildings. Keep grills at least 10 feet from any structure, and make sure fire pits and patio heaters should have at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides.
Make sure the surface area is level, well-ventilated, and away from strong winds and gusts.
Keep the outdoors out. Use outdoor propane appliances outdoors — and indoor propane appliances indoors. Don’t keep a propane cylinder indoors or in an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, shed, or tent.
Know when to go pro. Whether your home operates on propane or natural gas, a qualified service technician must install appliances that are connected to an existing gas source. You should also have a qualified service technician inspect your outdoor appliances annually.
And here’s the most important tip of all: Enjoy your new outdoor living space now that you’ve extended your fall season!
