The best patio and backyard equipment for a comfortable, relaxed summer

Pool and hot tub timers: guaranteed money- and energy-savers

Want to save energy and money? Buy a timer to control the pump on your pool or hot tub. You could save up to 45% of the costs associated with your pool filtering system.

Other good habits to adopt:

• Cover your pool and hot tub at night with a solar blanket or cover
• Turn the temperature down 2 degrees on your thermopump to save up to 25% on your heating costs
• Turn your hot tub to standby when not in use

How to choose the right BBQ

Gas, charcoal, electric, pellet—each type of BBQ has its pros and cons. It all depends on how you use it, what flavours you’re looking for, and how many people you live with (to determine what size BBQ you need!). And don’t skimp on quality:

• Material: 304 grade stainless steel is best for most elements.
• Grates: Good quality stainless steel or cast stainless steel grates are the way to go. Porcelain-enameled steel is more affordable, but also more fragile.
• Burners: No matter how many BTUs it has, a poorly designed barbecue won’t do a great job. A well-designed barbecue will distribute heat evenly.
• Tank: must be solid and robust.

Patio heaters for cool evenings outside

There are four types of patio heaters: wall-mounted, hanging, standing, and tabletop. Most propane-fueled heaters (not suitable for covered areas) are standing models that can emit up to 48,000 BTUs, which is enough to heat approximately 10 square metres. Tabletop models, ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 BTUs, are great for smaller patios. The unit should have a heat control system and an automatic shut-off in case it tips over.

Wall-mounted and hanging patio heaters are usually infrared (electric), making them more environmentally friendly since they don’t emit carbon monoxide. You might need an electrician to take care of installation. Find a reliable one on CAA-Quebec’s approved suppliers list. Most hanging heaters have a heating capacity of 1500 watts, while some wall-mounted models can emit up to about 5,000 watts.

How to determine a patio heater’s BTUs

There are a number of factors to consider when determining how many BTUs you need with a patio heater, including:

• The direction your patio is facing
• How windy it gets
• If it has any walls
• If the space is covered or not
• The size of the area to be heated

Do you have questions about patio heaters or patio or home maintenance? Ask the experts at CAA-Quebec’s Residential Advisory Services (exclusive to members).

Speakers to set the right mood

Feel like listening to your favourite music while soaking in the pool or dining on the deck? With wired or Bluetooth speakers, you can do just that! Wired speakers need to be connected to an amplifier and plugged in. Bluetooth speakers are equipped with a rechargeable battery that lasts anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. Bluetooth speakers are handy because you can take them anywhere—outside by the pool, to the park, to the beach. You can also connect them to your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Some models provide unidirectional sound, while others are bidirectional, making it easier to hear the music anywhere in the area. The number of speakers you need depends on the size of the space—and how close your neighbours are!

Hot tip! Make sure the speakers are designed for outdoor use to withstand the elements.

Get inspired by music and activities this summer

Listen to our Evening on the patio with CAA-Quebec playlist on Spotify. We’ve got playlists for everything: swimming, cleaning, BBQing, and more. While you’re at it, check out our ideas for a fun summer staycation.

Backyard lighting

Whether you want to accent different plants or structures, create a pleasant atmosphere, or move around safely in the dark, good lighting is a must for any yard. There’s no shortage of options: wall lamps, spotlights, recessed lighting, hanging lights, string lights, and more. It all depends on your tastes and needs. You can buy solar-powered or electric lights. Solar-powered lights are easy to install, but they don’t give off a lot of light and their lifespan is limited. If you go the electric route, you’ll need to bury the wires and find somewhere to plug the lights in. You can also set the lights on a timer.

Energy-saving LED bulbs

Whenever you can, opt for LED bulbs that use little energy, don’t heat up, provide ample light, and last a long time (about 50,000 hours). Select LED lights that give off a warm, natural light (about 2,700 k). You can also buy floating or submersible LED lighting accessories to create colourful lightscapes in the pool.

Thank you to the experts at Lumen, Maison Adam, The Source, and BBQ Prestige for their contribution to this article.