Analysis of patio heater options for the Perch restaurant
Creators: name: Farhan, Akmal
name: Heap, Cody
name: Lee, Dennis
name: Sharma, Himanshu
name: Clelland, Ian
name: King, Jeffrey
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2015

description: As colder weather settles in, some businesses that utilize the outdoors tend to suffer from the unfavorable conditions of winter. One of the many examples of such businesses is restaurants that have an outdoor seating area such as a patio. Without a method to keep patios warm during cold weather, a restaurant’s available seating is reduced. Along with the inherently rainy nature of Vancouver, colder weather and the lack of a patio heating method could reduce restaurants’ potential profits. As a part the upcoming AMS Student Nest, a rooftop restaurant called the Perch is planned to open in mid to late 2015. The Perch will have a large patio, and in the spirit of its LEED construction, the patio should be heated in a sustainable manner so that seating can be maximized. This report will investigate and analyze sustainable methods to heat the outdoor patio at the Perch and other patio endowed restaurants like it on the UBC campus. Currently, propane heaters are the most common heat source to warm outdoor patios such as the one at the Perch, however they are far from optimal in terms of emissions and energy used. When examining propane heaters from economic, environmental, and social perspectives, it is immediately clear that there are many negative environmental and social impacts that could be improved upon. In order to find sustainable alternatives to propane heaters, several specific alternatives were selected and analyzed. The analysis ranged from calculating costs to researching preferences from a comfort standpoint. Along with the results from our research, the methodology used to approach this problem is discussed along with how primary and secondary sources were selected. In order to account for all the different aspects of each alternative, we utilized a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach to our analysis; where economic, environmental, and social factors were all considered. The heating options that we selected were based upon whether the solutions are sustainable, cost efficient, as well as stylish and discreet. Some of the limitations and guidelines that were placed upon this project include a lack of any overhead structures to hang devices off of, little protection from wind on three sides of the patio, few outlets to provide power, and the need to be able to conveniently move and store the heaters. Other aspects and consideration that were to be kept in mind included adhering to the LEED certified standard of the AMS Student Nest and a limited budget. The parties involved with this investigation include a stakeholder from UBC Sustainability, Chiyi Tam, who provided us with all the necessary requirements of the project along with the floorplan and blueprints of the Perch, and Professor Tony Bi who would be assessing our report and providing instructive feedback that could potentially be implemented in the new Perch patio. Our team is composed of six engineering students who are focussing on different majors: two mechanical engineering students, two electrical engineering students, and two software engineering students. We each have a different perspective and background that brings a variety of opinions which benefits the decision making of this project to positively influence the outcome of our investigation. Various reports and demonstrations regarding the options that we've considered and the solution we would recommend were presented to both the stakeholder and our professor. Through collective feedback and constructive criticism, we combined the information from our research with the advice given to us. We began our search for alternatives by shortlisting some possible alternatives to propane patio heaters. These solutions had to require no additional infrastructure while meeting the portability and heating effectiveness requirements of the stakeholders. Solutions included heated tablecloths, heated seat pads, ii heating coils below tables, infrared heaters, and heated massage chairs. We narrowed down the options to infrared umbrella heaters, standing infrared heaters, and battery powered seat warmers. The three solutions were then investigated using Triple Bottom Line (TBL) analysis techniques and compared to each other. The Triple Bottom Line analysis involved comparing economic, environmental, and social aspects of the possible heaters. Some of the aspects assessed include capital, operating, and maintenance costs, GHG emissions, typical lifespan, energy use, comfort levels, general satisfaction, and noise levels. The results of the triple bottom line comparison were gathered into a weighted decision matrix which allowed the options to be compared directly based on their respective scores. Of the three solutions, the umbrella infrared heaters and standing infrared heaters received the highest weighted scores, followed by battery heated cushions. We found that compared to propane heaters, all three of the alternatives were substantially less expensive, less polluting, and roughly socially equivalent. The biggest advantages that the infrared options had over the battery powered heated cushion were lower initial and operating costs, and twice the life expectancy. The heated cushion outperformed the infrared heaters in energy efficiency, and had lower energy use, meaning fewer GHGs indirectly emitted through polluting electricity sources. However, compared to propane heaters, the GHGs emitted by all three alternative options were miniscule; being a small fraction of the amount emitted directly by burning propane. Since the infrared heaters produce zero noise and their heat is unaffected by wind they have a high social score. Heated seat cushions also scored well socially, but are cumbersome to charge, distribute, and replace. Based on the advantages of infrared heaters and their similarity to propane heaters, we recommend mixed use of umbrella infrared heaters and standing infrared heaters. Umbrella heaters should be used on any tables with umbrellas and standing heaters should be used where there are no umbrellas. If possible heating should be established on both sides of customers so that customers’ bodies are completely covered in heat. Future considerations that could stem from the implementation of the recommended solution include extending the solution to other campuses and establishments that would appreciate a more sustainable alternative to propane heaters. If the solution’s implementation is successful, improvements could be looked at. Wind and rain could be reduced through the implementation of screens, and placement of heaters could be aided by additional outlets or a more convenient way for wires to run along the ground. The feasibility and the data analysis of our report will be published on the UBC sustainability website for public access and future references. Innovation towards sustainability is quickly becoming a sought over aspect of technology, and this is could serve as pioneer towards the implementation of environmental impacts with technological advances that could benefit both the society and the environment. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”