Cut Restaurant Heating Costs with Patio Heaters

In the hospitality world, comfort is currency. The more comfortable your guests are, the longer they stay, the more they spend, and the more likely they are to return. But creating that comfort, especially when temperatures drop, can come at a cost. A big one.

According to the Environmental Law & Policy Center, heating and HVAC systems account for approximately 28% of the average restaurant’s utility costs, making heating the second-highest energy expense after cooking. For restaurants with outdoor seating, open-concept dining areas, or high ceilings, those numbers can soar even higher.

But here’s the good news: heating doesn’t have to be a fixed cost. Not anymore.

Thanks to modern heating technologies like Calcana’s energy-efficient infrared patio heaters, restaurant owners have an opportunity to drastically reduce their heating expenses while enhancing guest satisfaction year-round. It’s not just a heating solution, it’s a business strategy.

The Real Cost of Restaurant Heating and How Infrared Systems Improve Energy Efficiency

Let’s break it down. Restaurants are notoriously energy-intensive, consuming roughly 2.5 times more energy per square foot than other commercial spaces. A large portion of that energy goes toward climate control. From keeping an open-air patio cozy on chilly nights to maintaining warmth in large, draft-prone dining rooms, it takes a lot of energy to create a comfortable environment.

In colder months, or in areas with unpredictable weather, restaurant owners often feel like they’re at the mercy of their heating systems. Bills climb. Comfort declines. And without a smarter solution, profits can take a hit.

That’s why more and more food service businesses are turning to infrared heating, and why Calcana is leading the way in creating powerful, efficient systems designed specifically for restaurants.

What Makes Calcana Infrared Heaters Different?

Calcana’s infrared patio heaters aren’t just another heat source. They’re engineered from the ground up to meet the demands of commercial food service environments, places where performance, reliability, and energy efficiency are non-negotiable.

Unlike traditional HVAC or forced-air heating systems, infrared heaters don’t heat the air, they heat people, furniture, and surfaces directly. This makes them uniquely effective in both indoor and outdoor spaces, especially those with high ceilings, open layouts, or frequent door openings.

Operates for Pennies Per Hour

Calcana heaters are designed to run efficiently on natural gas or propane, significantly reducing operating costs compared to electric or forced-air systems. With operating costs as low as pennies per hour, they’re ideal for cost-conscious restaurant owners.

Targeted, Radiant Warmth

Infrared technology provides direct, radiant heat that doesn’t get lost in drafts or dissipate into the air. This allows for zoned heating, so you can focus warmth only where it’s needed, like over dining tables or outdoor seating areas, without wasting energy.

Fast Heat-Up Times

Unlike HVAC systems that can take hours to reach a comfortable temperature, Calcana heaters reach optimal warmth in as little as one hour. That means quicker openings and more time spent serving guests in comfort.

Adjustable Thermostats and Smart Scheduling

Fine-tune your heating output based on occupancy, time of day, or weather conditions. You can even reduce heat during non-business hours to save even more.

Safe for Commercial Use

All Calcana heaters are CSA-certified, meeting rigorous safety standards for commercial and residential use alike. They’re built to perform in busy, high-traffic environments.

Where Restaurants Lose Heat (and Money)

Heating costs often spike because restaurants unknowingly operate in ways that waste energy. Here are a few common heat loss culprits:

Open Doors

Frequent door openings for guests, deliveries, or takeout can pull warm air right out of your space. Infrared heating minimizes the impact by warming objects instead of the air, so heat isn’t lost the moment the door opens.

Poorly Insulated Patios

Patio enclosures, open pergolas, or uncovered decks can be hard to heat with traditional systems. But they’re perfect for radiant heaters, which aren’t affected by airflow and maintain comfort even in breezy conditions.

High Ceilings and Large Spaces

Heat rises. And in restaurants with tall ceilings or open-concept floorplans, this often leads to uneven heating and overuse of energy. Infrared heaters sidestep this issue by delivering focused heat directly downward, right where it’s needed.

Real-World Impact: What Savings Look Like

Let’s say your restaurant spends $1,200 per month on heating during the fall and winter seasons using a traditional HVAC system. With a switch to Calcana infrared patio heaters, it’s entirely possible to reduce those costs by 25–50%, depending on your space and usage.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Over a five-year period, that’s up to $36,000 in heating cost savings, money that could be reinvested into your business, staff, or customer experience.

Designed for the Restaurant Business

From food trucks and cafes to fine dining patios and rooftop lounges, every restaurant has its own layout, aesthetic, and operational needs. That’s why Calcana offers multiple models, mounting options, and fuel configurations to suit any setup.

Flexible Installation Options

• Wall-mount

• Ceiling-mount

• Flush-mount

• Freestanding options for temporary setups or event spaces

Our systems are retrofit-friendly, so you can upgrade existing heaters without a full remodel.

Models Built for Your Space

• PH-40: Ideal for smaller patios, sidewalk cafes, and semi-enclosed outdoor dining

• PH-75: Perfect for large patios, rooftop dining, and multi-zone configurations

• Custom Heating Zones: Use multiple units to create warm pockets in different areas without overheating the entire space

Built for All Climates

Calcana heaters are constructed using marine-grade stainless steel, making them corrosion-resistant and perfect for all weather conditions, from snowy winters to coastal humidity.

Extend Your Patio Season, And Your Profits

Outdoor dining isn’t just a trend, it’s a proven way to increase seating capacity and generate higher revenue per square foot. But without heat, your patio is only usable for a few months out of the year.

With Calcana infrared patio heaters, you can extend your outdoor dining season by 3–4 months, if not year-round, depending on your location. More warm nights mean:

• More customers

• More turns per table

• More profit

For restaurants in competitive areas, that kind of extended service window can be the edge that keeps your tables full, while your competitors stay cold and empty.

Case Study: Turning Cold Nights into Hot Sales

A popular gastropub in Alberta installed five PH-75 Calcana heaters over its 1,200-square-foot patio. Before the installation, their outdoor area was usable for only five months of the year. After the heaters were installed, they operated the patio from March to November, nearly doubling their patio season.

The result?

• $75,000 in additional annual revenue from outdoor seating

• Lower utility bills compared to previous electric patio heaters

• Increased customer satisfaction and return visits

This is the real-world power of infrared heating.

Safety First: Heat You Can Count On

Safety isn’t a bonus, it’s a necessity. Especially when you're dealing with commercial environments, open flames, and customer-facing spaces.

Every Calcana heater includes:

• Flame Supervision System: Automatically shuts off the gas supply if the flame is extinguished.

• Automatic Shut-Off Valves: Prevent unsafe operation in emergencies.

• Low Surface Temperatures: Allow heaters to operate safely in proximity to people and furniture.

• Secure Mounting Systems: Ensures stable, reliable operation in high-traffic areas.

With CSA certification for commercial use, Calcana heaters are fully compliant with safety regulations across North America.

Operational Tips to Maximize Heating Efficiency

Your heater can only be as efficient as your operational strategy. Here are a few smart ways to stretch your energy dollars even further:

1. Zone Your Heating Areas: Only heat the zones that are in use. No need to warm the entire patio if half the tables are empty.

2. Schedule Smart Start/Stop Times: Don’t run heaters when your space is empty. Use a timer or automation to regulate usage.

3. Use Curtains or Enclosures: Partial windbreaks or transparent curtains can trap radiant heat without enclosing the space.

4. Train Your Staff: Make sure everyone knows how to adjust and manage the heaters correctly to avoid unnecessary use.

5. Maintain Your Units: Regular checks and cleaning help keep your heaters operating at peak efficiency.

Future-Proofing Your Restaurant

As energy prices fluctuate and sustainability becomes a bigger priority for consumers and regulators, investing in energy-efficient technology isn’t just good business, it’s future-proofing your operations.

Infrared heaters help reduce:

• Your energy footprint

• Your operational costs

• Your dependency on electric grid demand

And with growing support for eco-conscious businesses, your commitment to energy efficiency may even attract more customers who value responsible operations.

The Bottom Line

Restaurant owners across North America are facing rising energy costs and increased competition. Calcana’s infrared patio heaters offer a simple, effective way to:

• Lower monthly heating bills

• Extend patio usability and profitability

• Enhance customer comfort and satisfaction

• Operate more sustainably

• Gain a competitive edge

If you're serious about optimizing your space, protecting your bottom line, and creating a memorable dining experience in any weather, Calcana is ready to help.

Ready to Slash Heating Costs?

Don’t let another season go by with underused patio space and bloated utility bills. Invest in a heating solution that works as hard as you do.

Contact Calcana today to request a personalized quote, get expert installation advice, and discover how our patio heaters can transform your restaurant operations from the inside out.

Warm guests. Lower bills. More profit.
That’s the Calcana difference.