How to Choose a Fire Pit for Your Home
An outdoor fire pit can be a gorgeous addition to your patio or backyard. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit can also keep you warm, allowing you to continue enjoying the exterior sections of your property even during the colder months of the year. However, not all fire pits offer the same level of heat. Some deliver more warmth than others.
Are you considering installing a gas fire pit? Do you want to be confident the one you purchase will accommodate your heating preferences? Keep reading if so. This guide to gas fire pits and BTUs will help you better understand how BTUs affect the heat output of a given fire pit.
Essential Information About Gas Fire Pits: What Are BTUs?
BTU stands for British thermal unit, which is a unit of heat. One British thermal unit is essentially the amount of heat required to increase a pound of water’s temperature by one degree Fahrenheit.
In the United States, a BTU is the heating unit most often used to measure the heating power of appliances like fireplaces, fire pits, home heating systems, etc. Familiarizing yourself with common BTU ranges can make choosing the right gas fire pit easier.
BTUs for Various Types of Gas Fire Pits
Low BTU Fire Pit
Fire pits with BTU ratings of about 14,000 tend to be portable propane fire pits. Because the heat produced by fire pits with a low BTU rating is minimal, these fire pits are not ideal for anyone seeking a pit that will offer generous heat in an outdoor space.
A propane gas fire pit with a low BTU rating is often best for cooking. Although a small propane fire pit will naturally give off some heat, it may better serve the needs of someone looking for a portable patio heater or a fire pit they can cook over.
Medium Sized Fire Pit
A typical medium sized fire pit should give off enough heat to warm up to 200 square feet of outdoor space. Exactly how much heat such a fire pit will deliver can vary depending on its fuel source.
Medium sized propane fire pits tend to have about 18,000 BTUs. Medium natural gas fire pits can deliver more heat. They may have BTU ratings between 20,000 and 36,000.
Medium BTU gas fire pits are often ideal yard and patio heaters for most homeowners. However, if yours is a relatively large property, you may want to purchase a fire pit with even more BTUs.
Large Fire Pit
Some fire pits have 30,000 to 60,000 BTUs. These tend to be large fixtures that might not easily fit in small spaces. Of course, they might also be unnecessary in these spaces, given that they can give off more heat than is typically needed to warm a smaller property.
It’s also worth noting that current conditions on your property can determine whether a large fire pit with a high BTU rating is even a viable option. For example, maybe you’re considering installing a new fire pit that uses natural gas as its fuel source.
If so, make a point of learning about the various technical specifications of your property’s existing natural gas line first. It’s possible your natural gas line can’t deliver the gas pressure necessary to take full advantage of a fire pit with a high BTU rating. You don’t want to waste your money buying a large gas fire pit when your ability to use it to its full potential is limited.
Once more, though, maybe your property is large. Perhaps you’re even installing a gas fire pit on a commercial property, such as an outdoor restaurant. If so, a fire pit with a high BTU rating may be the best option. You can always discuss this topic in greater detail with an expert if you still have questions.
How Many BTUs Do I Need?
Many factors can potentially impact your decision when deciding how many BTUs your home’s fire pit should have. That said, the size of the space you’re heating is typically the most important factor to account for. Consider these basic guidelines:
- 10,000 BTUs: 150 square feet
- 20,000 BTUs: 250 square feet
- 40,000 BTUs: 550 square feet
- 60,000 BTUs: 800 square feet
- 80,000 BTUs: 1,200 square feet
- 160,000 BTUs: 2,500 square feet
BTUs and Flame Height: Important Information
BTUs don’t merely influence how much heat a fire pit can generate. To a degree, they may also contribute to flame height. Generally, the more BTUs a fire pit has, the higher the flames it may create.
That said, other factors can play a role in flame height. The amount of primary air that mixes with your fuel source is such a factor. When more primary air mixes with a fuel source, flames tend to be higher.
The size of a fire pit’s gas lines will influence flame height as well. So will the fire media, the distance between the fire itself and the fuel, the gas pressure, and more.
Propane Fire Pit vs. Natural Gas Fire Pit: Which Has More BTUs?
A wood burning fire pit has the potential to reach a higher BTU level than a gas fire pit. Regardless, for most homeowners, the BTU rating of a medium or large sized gas fire pit will be sufficient for their needs. Although wood burning fire pits boast attractive rustic qualities, starting a wood fire isn’t as easy as using the convenient ignition system of a gas fire pit.
Most gas fire pits theoretically have the potential to offer the same amount of BTUs regardless of whether they use propane or natural gas as a fuel source. Again, other factors, such as the size of the pit, air pressure, gas pressure, gas flow, and more will also affect a gas fire pit’s BTU output.
These are very technical details. Don’t worry if you feel you still don’t fully understand everything there is to know about British thermal units, thermal energy, etc. The team supplying your gas fire pit should be happy to answer your questions. They can help you choose a model that will reach the desired temperature you’re seeking.
Gas Fire Pits: Check the BTUs When Making a Purchase
There are various steps you may take when preparing to buy a new outdoor fire pit. They include:
- Measuring the size of your outdoor space
- Determining precisely how you’ll be using your fire pit
- Deciding whether you want a portable fire pit that can be moved from one spot to another on your property, or whether you want a larger one that will remain permanently installed in a chosen spot
- Deciding which fuel type is right for your needs
- Researching various styles of fire pits (such as tabletop fire pits, fire bowls, etc.)
- Getting the measurements of the natural gas line on your property, if applicable
- Researching how expensive it is to operate a natural gas fire pit vs. a propane fire pit
A gas fire pit from World CopperSmith can elevate your lifestyle and add value to your property. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right one.
Selecting the Right Gas Fire Pit
As we’ve seen, there’s more than just one fire pit you can add to your yard. So how do you ensure that you end up with the right one for your property? We’ve put together some handy considerations to keep in mind that’ll help you to make the right selection. If you take all of these tips onboard, you’ll end up with the gas fire pit that works best for you and your family. What’s Your Goal?
We can think vaguely about why we want to add a fire pit to our properties, but if you’re going to go through the process of adding one, it’s best to be as specific as possible. So before you begin the process of ordering a fire pit, think about what you’re hoping to achieve. Are you planning to have large groups of people sitting around the fire pit, or is it just something that you and your partner will enjoy? Your answer to this question will influence the size that you need.
Finding the Style That Works For Your Yard
Fire pits aren’t just functional; they also add aesthetic style to your yard. Take a look at our range of fire pits, and you’ll find a host of different fire pit styles. Which one is right for you? It all comes down to your personal preference — maybe you prefer a rectangular fire pit, or perhaps you’re more drawn to a bowl fire pit. In truth, all of our fire pits look fantastic, but if you like one style over another, then go for that one.
Work With the Right Company
As you’re probably already aware, not all fire pits are created equal. There are plenty of cheap fire pits available to purchase, but as with most things, you get what you pay for. If you’re just looking for a fire pit to see you through the forthcoming summer season, then one of those cheaper options might be fine. However, if you want to enjoy your fire pit for many years to come, then it’s important to buy from a company with a reputation for excellence. Here at World CopperSmith, we’re known for making outstanding fire pits that stand the test of time. Plus, we can customize any of our fire pits, so you can get the one that’s perfect for your needs.
Benefits of Adding a Fire Pit To Your Yard
Many homeowners overlook fire pits, but the truth is that they can add a lot to your property. If you’re on the fence about adding this trendy feature to your outdoor space, then take a read of the following benefits. And remember — no homeowner ever regrets adding a firepit to their yard.
Enjoy Your Yard All Year Round
It’s easy to enjoy your yard when the sun is shining. But if you’re only waiting for those hot and sunny days, then you won’t get to spend time in your yard anywhere near as much as you’d like to. When you invest in a fire pit, you’ll have the option of spending long evenings in your outdoor space, even once the sun has set. And that’s not all — you’ll also be giving yourself the chance to spend outdoors during the winter months. While everyone else is staying warm inside, you’ll be enjoying those clear winter nights, right from the comfort of your own property.
Create a Social Space for Friends and Family
There’s nothing better than spending time with friends and family. When you add a fire pit to your property, you’ll be allowing yourself and your loved ones to spend time together outdoors without worrying that people will need to head inside because they’re cold. Add some comfortable outdoor seating to your fire pit area, and you’ll have everything you need to spend many hours together.
Elevate the Aesthetics of Your Yard
A good fire pit won’t just provide warmth to your yard. It’ll also help to raise the overall aesthetics of your outdoor space. When it’s on, you’ll get to enjoy the cozy ambiance of the fire pit. When it’s off, the stunning, well-crafted fire pit will stand as a focal part of the yard.
Buy From World CopperSmith Today
Ready to elevate your lifestyle and your home? Then get in touch with us here at World CopperSmith to begin the process of adding a customized fire pit to your property. Take a look at our selection of outdoor fire pits, use our 3-D configurator tool to design the one that’s just right for you, and then request a quote.
Taking these steps ahead of time will help you narrow down your options when choosing a gas fire pit or a range hood for your home. They’ll also ensure you more clearly understand how factors such as a fire pit’s BTU rating should affect your final decision. This is key to purchasing an outdoor fire pit you’ll be genuinely happy with from CopperSmith.