Gas Patio Heater RegulatorIf you're planning on cozying with the cold outside with a propane patio heater, it's important to know how to properly make use of this device. Matthew Griffith, chief of the prevention department of Montreal's Fire Department says that shoppers should look for products with safety certifications.
It's also essential to make sure that there are there are no nearby combustible objects and that the
patio gas heater for sale heater is properly connected.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are simple mechanical devices that we use in our homes and cars every day without even giving them a second thought. Their invention, made 135 years ago, has changed the way natural gas and propane are used for heating, cooking and welding with oxy-fuel. The basic function of regulators is similar, but there are many variations. The regulator uses a pressure sensing element typically a fabric-reinforced diaphragm, which controls the position of the valve plug and restrict the flow of gas.
The diaphragm is connected to the stem of the valve by a rod which runs through the diaphragm and set spring, then into the valve. This mechanism senses the gas pressure in the home or pipeline and adjusts the valve plug's position to match the demand. As the gas consumption in the home decreases as does the pressure between regulator and house. The diaphragm is deflated downward and the valve plug is moved closer to the orifice in order to stop the flow. As the gas demand increases in the home the valve will open more, increasing the flow.
The valve plug remains shut until the demand of the house decreases. The valve then opens to increase the flow. This process is referred to as"sizing" and is the basic operation of the regulator.
When the valve is opened, a pressure is built up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the port for hose outlet by a venturi tube (see picture). This pressure is regulated by changing the screw or handle located on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it expands and decreases the pressure. When it is turned clockwise it reduces the pressure.
When selecting a pressure regulator, keep in mind that the maximum and minimum nominal pressure is determined by commercial standards and not the pressure of the gas in the supply line. The regulator should also be compatible with your hose. Make sure you choose a hose that is whistle-free. It will have alternating rings with different sizes. This will stop resonant noises from building across the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples are based on the idea that different types of metals in contact at their ends can generate an electric current, even when they are operating at extremely different temperatures. They are used to determine temperatures that differ between points of an electrical circuit and convert that data into an electronic signal that can be read by a thermocouple gauge or other instrument. Thermocouples offer a number of advantages over conventional sensors like thermistors, for instance, the ability to measure extremely high temperatures and operate in harsh environments.
The measuring (or hot) junction is formed by connecting two metals with different properties at one end, and the other end, the reference (or cold) junction, is maintained at a constant temperature. Thermocouples are passive devices, which means that they do not require power to operate. The voltage generated is proportional the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. Manufacturers of thermocouples and organizations that offer metrology standards, for example NIST, provide reference tables for the function E (T). displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) for each specific thermocouple type.
There are three primary kinds of thermocouple junctions: an exposed, grounded, and welded wire. The exposed style of junction is a bit higher than the protective sheath, and provides the fastest response. For measurements in corrosive conditions it is recommended that a grounded thermocouple be utilized. A welded wire thermocouple is physically insulated from the sheath with mgO powder to stop the penetration of gas or moisture which could cause mistakes.
A welded wire thermocouple also comes with the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use it in harsh environments that have pressures up to 3000 psi. A thermocouple that is damaged is usually the result of the lack of the polarity. If the sheath is not polarized, the two ends of the thermocouple will be in a state of discordant voltages at the measurement junction that could lead to an inaccurate reading and possibly end up damaging the instrument. A faulty thermocouple can also be caused by a poorly installed or calibrated sensor.
Thermostat
In contrast to electric heaters that need to be wired into the wall gas patio heaters are portable and use propane or natural gas cylinders to fuel. Thermostats regulate the flow energy into these cylinders to ensure that they do not overflow, but they still provide heat as needed. The thermostat does this by sensing the temperature of the air that flows over it. The thermostat can also detect that the room is at a temperature that is comfortable and shuts off the heating.
Digital thermostats are among the most commonly used. It is controlled by a microcontroller which converts a fluctuating electrical resistance into a measurement of temperature. It is able to accomplish this more accurately than the older mercury switch thermostats that used mercury coils that had three wires that moved according to the temperature. This allowed the thermostat to tilt a mercury switch that was connected to an electrical circuit to an air conditioner or heater, turning it off and on.
Another type of thermostat is a mechanical one. The thermostat is activated when the wax inside a small cylinder starts to melt, which is around 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). A rod connected to the valve is then pressed into the wax and opens the valve when it's hot. As the room cools, the wax expands and the rod is pulled back into the cylinder, thereby shutting the valve.
There are also thermostats that can be programmed to change at different times of the day. You can cut down on energy consumption by setting your heating to be turned off and on while you are working, or sleeping, instead of being running all the time. You can also set the thermostat to turn on earlier, so that your home will be at a comfortable temperature when you return from work or school. Thermostats also often include a feature known as the heat anticipator, which stops the heater from switching off too early. This is because parts of the house often reach the set temperature before the thermostat itself does.
Pilot Light
Many newer heating systems, homes, and furnaces are no longer entirely with pilot lights. However, older homes still use them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. It is important to know how to safely to relight the pilot light in case it ever fails.
A pilot light creates a small flame which heats the thermocouple. This thermocouple generates electricity, and keeps the gas valve open. If the pilot flame dies the thermocouple cools down and ceases to generate electricity, thus closing the gas valve. Pilot lights are found on most
propane gas patio heater and natural gas appliances, including water heaters.
The process of lighting a pilot light requires that you first shut off the gas valve in the appliance. You will then need to take out any doors or panels that might be blocking access to the pilot light. Locate the pilot light tube and follow the instructions on the front of the appliance to open it. After you've relit the pilot switch, turn the knob of the gas valve back to "on".
Safety is the main reason to keep a pilot light lit. If you accidentally shut off the pilot light, the gas that is constantly venting out of the tube can build up in your home until the spark or static electricity sparks the gas, causing an explosive explosion. Pilot tubes are designed to include an inbuilt cutoff valve to prevent this from happening.

A constantly burning pilot light is not just hazardous but also wastes energy. A pilot light burns between $7 to $18 worth of gas each month, according to different studies. The wasted fuel is a bigger burden on the air conditioner in summer. A pilot light can also attract spiders which can spin webs and block up the pilot tubes. Finally, a constant flame can release trace amounts of the mercaptan compound that produces the rotten egg smell that is present in natural
gas patio heater pyramid. If you are ever concerned about these issues, consider buying a remote-controlled
gas patio fires fire or replacing a fireplace with a more efficient and modern-day model.