First, this is a 1500 watt heater. It plugs into a standard outlet and doesn't require an electrician to run a new wire--so if you are wanting a heater that will pour out heat like a commercial heater, you'll need to get one of those (or say, a propane unit). But I'm very happy with this one. Was wanting a radiant heater, really don't care for fans blowing my heat if I have a choice. I am using this in my milking parlor because AFTER buying a milking machine, I find out that they must operate at temperatures above freezing. This heater wasn't enough for that in the coldest part of winter, but the rest of the time (central Oklahoma), it was perfect. Safer than a heater that sits on the floor where the resident cats might knock into it, and since it has a simple pull chain, I could use a simple plug-in timer to have it cycling on when I needed it. It would be great for a patio heater as well, if your patio is rather protected or in similar situations.