A nice outdoor space becomes an extension of your home or business, so why not enjoy it longer? Whether it's a restaurant patio, pool area, or nice backyard, adding a patio heater lets you enjoy your outdoor space long after summer has come and gone. And outdoor patio heaters do more than add warmth; they become an attractive centerpiece and bring ambiance to your space.
There are many types of fuels, various styles, and several other considerations to review before buying residential or commercial outdoor heaters. For quick reference, click on one of the sections below:
- Outdoor Heater Benefits
- Fuel Types
- Outdoor Patio Heater Styles
- Heating Power + Sizing
- Location and Safety Considerations
- Safety Features
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Additional Features to Consider
- Outdoor Heaters vs. Fireplaces/Fire Pits
- Other Resources
- Questions
Outdoor Heater Benefits
Low-Maintenance Operation: Outdoor patio heaters generally require little to no maintenance. Most maintenance is heaviest when the heater is getting the most use, and most require simple upkeep including checking for obstructions in the gas line, checking gas connections for leaks, clearing the burner of insects, and checking the propane levels in your tank.
Silent, Instant Radiant Heat: Patio heaters and fire pits use radiant heating. Radiant heating, or infrared heating, heats similar to that of the sun, as it uses invisible energy waves that infuse surrounding objects and people with warmth. When photons hit the skin or surfaces of objects, heat is absorbed and retained, keeping you and your surroundings warmer, longer. Lastly, the heat is quiet and silent, so it won’t drown out conversations and music.
Attractive designs: As a heating appliance, many now are incorporating attractive designs to provide more elegance and ambiance to outdoor spaces. Fire pits now incorporate mosaic tiles, resin textile designs, and metal fabrication for mantel designs, while standalone and mountable heaters incorporate clean designs with matte or glossy finishes, glass flues, stainless steel exteriors, and more.
Air Quality: Aside from ensuring all propane gas lines are tightened and secured, air quality is not compromised as long as it is used in the proper outdoor spaces. Further, traditional wood burning fire pits create ash, soot, and smoke which can irritate breathing and eyes, and it will need to be cleaned up later.
Durable: While we don’t advocate leaving them outdoors year-round, most are constructed from high-grade stainless steel and resin tops for durability. Some even come with a cover to keep them guarded against UV-rays and moisture when they are sitting outside during peak season.
Fuel Types: Electric vs. Propane vs. Natural Gas
Outdoor heaters generally use of these 3 fuel types: Electric, propane, or natural gas. See which outdoor heater is best for your space:
Electric Fuel
An electric patio heater is a convenient way to quickly add heat to your patio or deck. These heaters typically require a 120-volt outlet and use a heating bulb to produce warmth. Since most use a standard residential outlet, you can plug them in almost anywhere—making electric heaters extremely low maintenance, particularly when compared to propane gas heaters. Another advantage of electric heaters is you can use them in covered and partially-enclosed spaces (you can't use propane heaters in these areas).
The biggest issue with electric outdoor heaters, of course, is that you have to plug them in. Most outdoor spaces don’t have easy access to plugs and users don't want to run long electrical cords outdoors. Also, these models generally don’t have the flame effect that customers appreciate in commercial settings. Propane and natural gas heaters often become a centerpiece and attractive addition to your space thanks to this feature.
Propane Gas
Propane gas heaters are commonly used outdoors because they're simple to use and provide instant heat. All that's needed is a gas tank (generally a 1-, 20-, or 40-pound tank), and they're easy to install yourself. Most of our models come fully-assembled, and select models use domes to offer heat in a circle up to 20 feet. Our newest propane gas heaters do more than just heat your patio or deck: Gas fire pits become an instant centerpiece in any outdoor area. Real flames bounce above rocks, and most models have tile mantels for drinks and other items.
One disadvantage, particularly for commercial applications, is you have to replace gas tanks, which means slightly more maintenance. However, some models, like the Bromic heaters, allow you to install on the ceiling or wall, provided there is a direct propane gas line fed to the heater.
Natural Gas
Natural gas patio heaters are popular because they offer continuous heat with little maintenance. You simply need to attach them to a natural gas line. Outdoor fire pits and outdoor patio heaters are less expensive to operate than propane gas or electric heaters and tend to be more efficient as well. Most natural gas models come with an included gas line that can be quickly hooked up for continuous heat.
The main disadvantages of natural gas heating are that you may need a plumber to assist you set up the lines, and once the lines are connected, you can't move them around as easily as propane heaters (which just use tanks inside the units, so they're easier to move).
Most of the outdoor heater models we sell come fully-assembled and can heat areas up to 120 – 200 square feet and feature between 23,600 – 43,000 BTUs of heating.
Find heating square footage and benefits of each fuel on our Outdoor Heaters: Electric vs. Natural Gas vs. Propane article.
Outdoor Patio Heater Styles
Outdoor heaters come in a variety of styles, but these are the most common types:
Fire Pit:
Propane gas fire pits are the typical residential patio piece we see. Taking the idea of a wood burning fire pit, this design typically uses a 20-pound propane tank incorporated into a hidden base. Similar to a gas grille, propane gas fire pits feature a hidden control panel with automatic ignitions and adjustable flames. Gas powered flames dance across the stainless steel fire bowl and lava rocks or fire glass, while the surrounding exterior mantel is great for resting drink glasses, plates, and other miscellaneous items. See all of our available propane gas fire pits here.
Standalone/Ground:
The most common type of outdoor heater, particularly in commercial spaces, is standalone heaters. They're generally tall, thin heaters that give off a large amount of heat—making them ideal for large outdoor decks and patios. They're commonly placed in event spaces, hotel pool decks, and scattered around outdoor restaurant seating areas. Hanover offers a vast selection of outdoor heaters that are perfect for restaurant patios, decks, and residential areas.
Tabletop:
Tabletop patio heaters vary from looking like miniature floor heaters to traditional lamps (they're sometimes referred to as outdoor heating lamps). Ideal for side tables or large tables in event spaces, these models are usually 3-feet or less in height.
Mountable:
Select outdoor heater models can be mounted to a ceiling or wall. These versatile models often come with a stand. They save floor space and commonly add heat to industrial and work spaces, but usually they require natural gas or propane lines for installation. The Bromic outdoor patio heaters are a great example of mountable heaters for decks and patio spaces.
Heating Power + Sizing
Most patio heaters use watts or British Thermal Units (BTUs) to measure heating power. Models often list their heating area as a number of feet around the unit. For example, our electric heaters offer up to 1,200 watts of power, so they warm up to a 12-foot circle around the heater.
BTUs are the standard measurement of power for many appliances (they're measured as energy used per unit time). You'll usually see them written as BTUs per hour; the higher the number of BTUs, the more the heater gives off.
If you're purchasing a propane gas heater, also look at the gas tank size. Small tanks will need to be replaced more often, and larger heaters tend to hold bigger tanks. Models with 20- or 40-pound tanks last for hours of continuous use.
To find the right size outdoor heater for your space, take the total BTUs and divide it by a heating factor of 40—30 for colder climates—to determine if the heater fits your square footage.
Example: 46,000 BTUs / 40 = 1,150 square feet
Location and Safety Considerations
Before installing your outdoor patio heater, there are several safety considerations to look out for:
- Outdoor Use Only: Propane and natural gas heaters are for outdoor use only. Some electric heaters can be used in semi-outdoor spaces like covered porches.
- Level Surfaces: Outdoor heaters should sit on completely level surfaces that can hold their weight.
- Obstructions: They shouldn't be placed in areas with a lot of wind or close to low-hanging tree branches or plants that can catch fire.
- Clearance: Check the clearances to combustibles and wall clearances offered by the manufacturer—this information will be in your owner's manual.
- Clothing: Never hang clothing or any other flammable material on or near the heater.
- General Maintenance: Turn the heater off before completing maintenance or moving it to another location.
Safety Features
Portable outdoor heaters have safety features to ensure you're safe from fire and other risks. Keep an eye out for the following features:
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Automatic Shutoff: A switch inside turns off the heater if it gets too hot and becomes a fire hazard.
- Tilt-Over Protection: If the heater is knocked over, then a switch automatically turns off the heating element.
- Cool-Touch Glass: Most commercial outdoor heaters come with cool-touch glass that make them safe around kids or pets.
- Safety Approvals: Look for heaters that have been approved for safety; UL- and CSA-tested are common safety approvals. These products have been evaluated to ensure all safety requirements have been met.
Cleaning and Maintenance
- Cleaning Your Heater: To clean an outdoor heater, simply wipe surfaces down with water and mild soap or a damp cloth. Abrasive cleaners and oven cleaners can damage them, so check your owner's manual for specific cleaning requirements.
- Maintenance: There is little maintenance required with outdoor heaters, which is one of their biggest advantages. Other than the occasional wipe down, the only real maintenance you'll need to worry about is replacing gas tanks (for propane heaters).
Additional Features to Consider
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Assembly-Type: Most of the outdoor patio heaters we offer come at least partially assembled, usually taking around an hour to fully assemble. Many models, like our Endless Summer patio heaters, come fully assembled in one box. You simply have to attach the top/domes for some models. Be sure to look for this feature, because building completely disassembled patio heaters can take a significant amount of time. If you're looking for a model you can immediately remove and start using, find one that comes fully assembled. - Electronic Controls: Models with electronic controls to adjust heat levels and turn the heat on and off are much easier to use. Look for outdoor patio heaters with one-touch ignition and simple setting controls. Select models even have a remote control.
- Adjustable Flames: Most propane and natural gas outdoor heaters include some type of flame, and many of these flames can be adjusted to match your desired ambiance and heat level.
- Length of Warranty: If your outdoor heater has a long warranty (some have up to 5-year limited warranties), you can be confident it's built with quality materials and won't suffer from tough environmental conditions.
Outdoor Heaters vs. Fireplaces and Traditional Fire Pits
Some customers consider fireplaces or fire pits for their outdoor space, but they're not the best option for many people. While fire pits add ambiance, many outdoor heaters—particularly natural gas and propane heaters—use real, adjustable flames and elegant designs that enhance the outdoors. In addition, there are many factors that push customers towards gas-powered patio heaters instead:
- Forget the Mess: Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are messy and require a lot of cleaning and maintenance. You won't have to worry about ashes, wood, and other messy components if you use an outdoor heater.
- Air Quality Issues: Fireplaces also cause a lot of smoke and can irritate guests' eyes and allergy symptoms.
- Contained Heat: In general, outdoor heaters are much safer to use. You won't have to watch out for ashes and sparks associated with an open fire.
Other Resources
- Bestselling Propane Heaters
- Bestselling Natural Gas Heaters
- Bestselling Electric Heaters
- Space Heater Buying Guide
In Summary
Enjoy the benefits of outdoor heaters without the mess. Be sure to decide on the type of fuel that works best for you and consider the safety features, heating power, and maintenance requirements, as well as the style of heater you prefer.
Still Have Questions?
Not sure what's best for you? We can take the guesswork out of decision-making. Contact one of our air treatment specialists at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help make your indoor and outdoor environment healthy and comfortable.
