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Patio Heaters (electric, natural gas or LP gas) have been the go-to equipment when your family needs to stay warmer longer. As the sun sets and temperatures begin to slide, the right patio heater can keep your outdoor oasis as much as 15°warmer extending your outdoor time long into the evening.
Our patio experts field thousands of questions, and easily the most asked is, “What’s the best patio heater?
Welp, like many other questions the answer is a resounding, “That depends.” Depending on what you want to heat, the specifics of your space and the budget you’d like to work with, the “Best” patio heater for you probably isn’t the best patio heater for the guy next door to you.
Still, our experts have put together some fantastic guidelines (and some recommendations on specific products) to help you decide on what’s best for you. Let’s take a look…
There are two basic options for getting the best patio heater for your space, gas (LP or natural) or electric patio heaters. Both are phenomenal in a covered patio setting, but both have their benefits and limitations.
Generally, electric patio heaters are less expensive to purchase, have lower maintenance costs, are less susceptible to wind varying the heat, and (most importantly in a covered space) require not ventilation and have tighter clearances (can be placed closer to objects). Electric patio heaters don’t have any greenhouse gases or combustion that you need to consider – in fact, an electric patio heater can be used in a fully enclosed space.
Gas patio heaters (whether Liquid Propane or Natural Gas) have a long-term lower operational cost and (most importantly) have a greater heat projection than electric patio heaters. Because gas patio heaters come in variable sizes (as large as 20+ ft.) and their heat is produced by burning, the heat projects farther from the heater than electric units.
The short answer here is yes-ish. Electric patio heaters can be used in fully covered spaces, and even in spaces that have all four walls enclosing the area. Gas patio heaters need to exhaust the gases they produce when burning, and so require at least one wall to be open to the outdoor air.
When considering which patio heater is right for you, check the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the clearances they require (above and below the heater, and to each side) and make sure your system is installed with this in mind.
Lastly, be sure that any combustibles (curtains, wood beams, etc.) are at least as far from the heater as the manufacturer recommends.
First, lets figure out what the initialism “BTU” means. It stands for British Thermal Unit and is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
When looking at patio heaters, you’ll find that your heater lists how many thousands of BTUs it puts out – giving you a good idea of how one heater stacks up against another.
Sadly, there’s math to determine how much heat (BTU’s) you’ll need – but at least it’s easy math:
[Patio Square Footage] x 20 = BTUs Needed
For instance, if you want to heat a 20’ x 30’ patio, multiply the two together to get square footage (20 x 30 = 600 sq. ft.) then multiply that number by 20 (600 x 20 = 12,000 BTUs)
Natural Gas Heaters
Pros: Lowest operational costs (less than half of propane or electric), no tanks to replace, larger units allow higher BTUs and heat projection.
Cons: Professional installation required for both gas and electric, more expensive initial purchase than electric alternatives, higher maintenance requirements, requires more ventilation/clearances, and is effected by high winds.
Select For: Heating a large area, use in very cold environments.
Electric Heaters
Pros: Less expensive initial purchase, safe for enclosed, unheated spaces, low maintenance, lower ventilation/clearance requirements, not affected by wind/climate, some allow plug-and-go operation.
Cons: Higher operational costs than natural gas, professional installation required, lower BTUs and less heat projection
Select For: Smaller spaces that might not have a lot of natural ventilation
Propane Heaters
Pros: Highly portable freestanding units, most models warm in all directions (circumference), no outlets needed, achieves high temperatures safely.
Cons: Higher operational costs than natural gas, professional installation required, lower BTUs and less heat projection
Select For: Well vented areas where portability is a must.
Think about the space you’re trying to heat… and where you would prefer to have the heater in that space. Is it near to the ceiling or on a wall? Is it in the middle of the patio? Let’s look at our mounting options:
Flush mounted patio heaters
Fantastic for over a dining area or bar, flush mounted electric patio heaters get the heater out of the way, mounted directly into a ceiling.
A portable propane heater can cover about a 20-foot radios (about 300 sq. ft. of space), while large natural gas heaters put out as much as 150,000 BTUs.
Fuel Source: First, decide whether electric, natural gas or propane is your preferred fuel source (for an excellent guide to electric and gas heaters and their pros and cons, check out our expert guide here.
Mounting Options: Permanent wall- and ceiling-mounted options are the most popular choices, but others prefer the temporary nature of the highly mobile freestanding outdoor heaters instead. Whichever option you choose, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on appropriate mounting methods.
Infrared: Next, consider Infrared high on your priority list. Infrared heaters don’t heat the air and let that heat you, infrared heaters warm the things (people, tables, Rufus the dog…) in their path directly. Instant, highly efficient heat method that may be right for you.
Control Freaks: Patio heaters require controls (from the simple on/off to the advanced Wi-Fi options), and if they are not built-in (like on a freestanding heater) you’ll need to identify which type of controls you prefer. Check the manufacturer of your heater to find the control options available before you purchase, to make sure that controls that fit your lifestyle are available.
Safety First: Many heaters, especially portable ones, have special switches to keep your system safe. Tipover switches monitor for the heater being tilted past a certain angle, and automatically shut off when that angle is exceeded. Safety switches allow a quick and convenient shutoff of the fuel reserve to prevent fire hazards.
Operating Costs: Use these figures as a guideline (based on a standard 40,000 BTU unit of each fuel type… current prices may skew these slightly):
Natural Gas - $0.48 per hour
Electric - $1.32 per hour
Propane - $1.60 per hour
Wall mounted patio heaters
Ideal for directing heat outward into a room, wall mounted patio heaters may be either electric or gas. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on clearances. Most wall-mounted heaters come with the brackets to mount the heater safely.
Ceiling mounted patio heaters
Perfect for directing heat downward, over a seating or dining area. Although all of our manufacturers provide the brackets to properly mount your ceiling-mounted patio heater, some also offer options for poles to bring the heater down from the ceiling to an appropriate height to give you more options.
Pole mounted patio heaters
When you want a heater in a certain spot, but there is no ceiling or wall nearby, a pole is mounted to the floor and the heater is attached to the top of the pole. Yet another fantastic option in mounting your patio heater effectively.
Freestanding patio heaters
Because freestanding patio heaters don’t require connection to the patio in any way, there is no mounting for freestanding patio heaters. Whether electric or propane, freestanding patio heaters can be wheeled to one section of your patio for a fast-paced card game in the dining area, or later wheeled over to the chaise lounge so you can disappear into the latest detective novel.
Again, we’re back to the old classic of really analyzing the space you’d like to heat. Do you need the outdoor kitchen heated? What about the conversation area? For each area you would like to have heated, calculate the square footage (generally length times width) to get an idea of how large a patio heater you may need. Remember the calculation [Sq. Ft.} x 20 = BTUs needed… and plan accordingly.
If quality and buying local are your main determining factors when considering which heater is right for you, then look no further than the Infratech Slimline series. Constructed from durable anodized aluminum that has been sourced here in the USA. Available in two finish options black or silver to help you compliment these heaters to your outdoor décor. Sleek, streamlined Slimline single element heaters are ideal for surface mount applications up to 10 feet. Features include: modern styling, narrow profile, and a T-slot for flexible mounting options.
When it comes to efficiency, short wave heaters are the best choice. Infrared heaters come in one of three wave lengths short, medium, and long. Short wave heaters have the highest efficiency of the three because 90% of the infrared rays are used to directly heat people and objects in each space, making them the perfect choice for those cooler or windier climates
Compared to traditional mushroom style heaters that you must closely position in the middle of the space you want to heat, the Bromic Tungsten portable heaters allow you to direct the heat from the outside of your entertaining area and face it inward.
Innova offers endless possibilities when it comes to custom colors and custom decor plates to choose from. Innova is the perfect solution for those looking to get a heater tacompliments their outdoor living space.
Dim the lights and turn up the heat with the Eclipse Smart-Heat™ Electric heater. Available in six unique mounting options, the Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat™ series adds style, warmth, and light to design-focused outdoor spaces.
SupremeSchwank is finished in a sleek black that is attractive but unassuming. It’s available in a 2-stage option for high and low heat settings. The unit can be mounted either from the ceiling, wall, or post mount and can be tilted at an angle to direct the heat.
Infratech puts ultimate heat control at your fingertips with the widest range of control options in the industry. From design versatility and simple ease of use to timer functionality, zone heating, smart home integration and hands-free voice activation, our controls can help you get the most enjoyment out of your Infratech heating system. Whether your space is residential or commercial, small or large, we offer options that are compatible with any heating configuration, setting or budget.
The Platinum Smart-Heat™ Electric excels in efficiency, packing profound performance into a sleek package to suit high-end, style-centric settings. Designed specifically with low-clearance, semi-enclosed and aesthetically focused spaces in mind, this heater minimizes light emission to blend seamlessly into rooflines with the aid of recess kits or stylishly mount to a number of other surfaces.
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.