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Gas vs. Electric Patio Heaters: Which One Do I Need?
When choosing between gas and electric patio heaters, several factors come into play.
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When choosing between gas and electric patio heaters, several factors come into play.
You’ve decided to add extra comfort to heat your space using radiant heat technology and that’s the first step. Now your question might be “well which is better, gas or electric radiant heat?” and the answer is “it depends”. There are multiple factors to consider when deciding between gas or electric and luckily, we have created some pointers to get you looking in the right direction. The graph below gives a snapshot of which is better based on each category when comparing gas heaters and electric heaters side by side. If you need additional help deciding between the two fuel sources, our Patio Specialist are here to help as we partner with Top brands in the industry such as Bromic, Eurofase and Infratech to name a few, we are confident we can help you find the perfect fit for your space.
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Gas Heaters
Electric Heaters
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Ventilation and clearances are probably the most important factors to consider when planning your outdoor space. You must take note of the airflow and other items that will be installed in your patio such as ceiling fans, speakers, can lights, etc.
There are many styles, colors and price points to choose from. Once you have considered the placement of your heaters and the climate in your area, contact our Patio Experts and they can help you pick the perfect unit for your space or try our free design service.
There is a tradeoff when you are comparing costs of installing a gas infrared heater vs an electric infrared heater because they are complete opposite of each other. Let’s start with Gas.
Gas Heaters: Gas heaters typically have a higher upfront cost when considering the material cost and the installation cost. Gas heaters are typically more expensive than electric heaters, in some cases almost double the cost. Also, if there is no gas line already plumbed in your space, then you will have to hire a certified plumber to run your gas lines and perform the installation. The plus side is once you have purchased and installed your gas heaters, the cost to operate a gas heater is less compared to electricity.
Electric Heaters: Electric heaters are the opposite. Electric units are typically cheaper when compared to gas units and the installation should be less because there are no extra fuel lines to run. A certified electrician should be able to complete the installation. The cost to operate an electric heater is usually more expensive because electricity traditionally is more expensive then gas.
When it comes to maintenance, electric heaters are better compared to gas heaters because there are fewer moving parts. Gas heaters have valves, burners, and safety shut off systems that can fail versus electric heaters have simple elements that need replacement. Average lifetime of an element is about 5,000 hours, depending on how often the units are being used, they can operate for 5-6 years before you ever need to replace the elements.
If you are looking to heat a large space with minimal number of units, gas would be the ideal choice. Gas heaters come in multiple sizes and typically give a larger heat projection compared to electric heaters. Gas heaters come as small as 3ft and as large as 20+ ft. Electric heaters on the other hand are usually between 3ft to 5ft.
When it comes to ventilation, Electric heaters are better in a sense because they are no greenhouse gases or combustion that you need to consider. Electric heaters have no flame, the elements use electricity to create infrared rays which is what makes them perfect for both indoor and outdoor applications. Gas heaters on the other hand do need to be ventilated and can not be installed in an enclosed space.
Clearance from combustibles is another area to consider. Because radiant heaters generate IR rays that heat people and objects, you must keep proper clearances from items on your patio that can melt or burn. Electric heaters typically have lower clearance to combustibles. The clearances vary by brand and by model so it’s important to keep in mind where you will be installing the units and what objects will be in proximity. Clearance to combustible information can be located in the installation sheet of each model.
Lastly, wind is another factor to consider when choosing gas or electric. If you live in an area that is susceptible to large wind gusts, electric heaters might be a better choice for you. Gas heaters usually have an open flame that heat ceramic tiles to generate infrared rays. If a large wind gust blows through the patio, the chances of the flame being blown out is highly likely. All gas heaters do have safety shut off and relighting systems in place that will help turn these units back on safely, but if you live in a windy area having your heater turn off and relight every time may not be ideal. Electric heaters have no flame to blow out. Once the elements are on they will remain on generating infrared rays and wind is not a factor that you need to worry about.
With our list of industry-leading brands to choose from, we are confident we can help you find the perfect solution to accommodate your application. Our trained staff has years of experience and are happy to help you choose the best solution for your outdoor space. Our Patio Specialists are ready to answer all of your questions, give us a call today and take advantage of our FREE heating design consultation at 855-298-4922.