Beware of SunSwitch look-alikes - they may cost less - and less is what you would be getting . . . Quartz Halogen is booming in the UK and as a result, there is a host of inferior wannabe's available in the shops and on the Net. So here, for your security, are some questions you should ask the supplier when choosing your quartz halogen heaters: Question   SunSwitch Where is it made? EC Is it CE approved and fully guaranteed? Yes Is it weatherproof?   Yes Do you stock replacement elements, and can I fit them myself?   Yes Are you able to give advice on any aspect of use and installation? Yes. Just call Do you supply heater regulators, parasol brackets and other accessories? Yes. Just call SunSwitch heaters are the real McCoy. But while you can spend less on a quartz halogen heater imported from China that looks more or less the same, it is a false economy. Here's why: Most of the cheaper imports use the old-type infra-red elements developed originally for industrial use. They are nothing like as efficient as SunSwitch elements, and they produce a disturbing red light. After a couple of hours under one of these, anything white will look blue, because your eyes will have been forced to adjust to the unnatural red light. The effect is not longlasting, but it is unpleasant. SunSwitch heaters are fitted with high-tech elements developed and manufactured by Philips - in fact, Philips has the only production plant in the world able to produce these elements. SunSwitch elements are very energy-efficient, converting well over 90% of the electricity they draw into warmth, and the light output is a pleasant pinky-white. The elements in SunSwitch heaters have an extremely long operating life compared to the cheap imported heaters, and they have a higher output per watt consumed. In our experiance, the elements in cheaper products generally last only 400-600 hours. Worse still, in many of the cheaper look-alikes, the entire heater has to be dismantled to replace the element! And that is a job for a professional electrician. This may end up costing more than the heater. In comparison, a SunSwitch Weathersafe™ element clips into place in a matter of seconds, and you can do it yourself. So there you have it. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. But cheap look-alike products are probably going to be a disappointment. USEFUL ADVICE + Are all electric patio heaters weather safe?