Gas Patio Heaters

A gas patio heater burns natural gas or propane and radiates infrared energy onto people and surfaces directly, which is why it keeps working outdoors where a breeze would carry warmed air away. This collection spans wall mounted, ceiling mounted, freestanding, portable and permanent post models for patios, decks, restaurant terraces and covered outdoor rooms.

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How a Gas Patio Heater Works

A gas patio heater burns natural gas or propane and radiates infrared energy onto the people and surfaces in front of it, rather than warming the air between. That distinction decides everything outdoors: heated air is carried off by the first breeze, while radiant energy travels to whatever it hits and is felt immediately. It is the same reason you feel warm stepping into winter sunshine on a cold day.

Gas covers the widest output range in outdoor heating, which is why it suits open patios, larger areas and colder climates where an electric heater would be working at its limit. The trade is that gas needs fuel, clearance and ventilation, where electric needs only a circuit.

Natural gas or propane

This is the first decision, because most models are built for one fuel rather than converting between them.

Natural gas plumbs into a fixed line and never needs refilling, which makes it the better long-term choice for a permanent installation at a home, a restaurant terrace or any spot used most evenings. Running a line costs money up front and needs a plumber, but the heater is then always ready and the running cost is lower.

Propane runs from a refillable cylinder, so it goes where no gas line reaches and can move with you. The cost is the swapping: someone has to notice the tank is low and change it, which is a minor chore on a home patio and a real one across a restaurant terrace with a dozen heaters.

Roughly half the range here offers both, and where a model is sold in one fuel only the product page says which.

Mounting decides more than output

Where the heater goes usually narrows the choice before output does. Wall mounted units bracket to a vertical surface and keep the floor clear, which suits a narrow patio or a walkway. Ceiling mounted units hang from an overhead structure and cover a seating group from above, the most efficient position when a pergola or covered patio already exists. Freestanding and portable models need no installation at all and can follow the party, at the cost of taking up floor space and needing a cylinder. Radiant tube heaters are the long overhead burners used for warehouses, shops and large covered areas.

Clearance, covered patios and venting

Because these burn fuel, every model specifies a minimum distance to combustible surfaces above and to the sides, and that figure is not advisory. A covered patio is fine when the heater is rated for it and the clearance is respected; an enclosed space is a different question and may need venting or supplied ventilation air. A gas heater must never be recessed into a soffit or ceiling cavity, which is a combustion requirement rather than a styling preference and the clearest practical difference from a flush-mounted electric unit.

Where to look next

Electric patio heaters need a circuit rather than a fuel line, produce no exhaust and can be flush recessed. Infrared Patio Heaters spans both fuels. Patio Heaters is the full category, and Patio Heater Accessories carries the mounting kits, covers and controls these units use.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gas Patio Heaters

What types of gas do patio heaters use?

Gas patio heaters typically use either propane (from refillable tanks) or natural gas (connected to a home gas line). Propane offers portability, while natural gas is ideal for permanent installations.

Are gas patio heaters safe for use under covered patios?

Yes, but only if the heater is rated for covered or semi-enclosed spaces. Always follow the manufacturer's clearance and ventilation requirements to ensure safe operation.

How much heat do gas patio heaters produce?

It varies far more than most people expect. The compact wall and ceiling units start around 23,000 to 25,000 BTU, which suits a small seating group. Mid-range models run 35,000 to 50,000 BTU. At the top end, the overhead radiant tube heaters reach 150,000 BTU, though those are built for warehouses and large covered areas rather than a home patio. Match the output to the area and the mounting height rather than buying the biggest figure available.

Can a natural gas patio heater be converted to propane?

Usually not, and it is worth settling before you order. Natural gas and propane run at different pressures and need different orifices, so most models here are built and certified for one fuel. Some manufacturers sell a conversion kit for specific models, but plenty do not, and converting a unit that was not designed for it voids the certification. Decide the fuel first, then choose the model.

How many gas patio heaters do I need for my space?

It depends on the area, the mounting height and how exposed the site is, so there is no single rule. What matters more than the total output is overlap: two heaters covering a seating group from different angles beat one large unit mounted high, because the coverage is even and nobody sits in a cold spot. Wind, an open side and a high ceiling all reduce effective coverage. Send us the dimensions of your space and we can work through it with you.

Should I choose gas or electric?

Gas covers the widest output range and suits open patios, larger areas and colder climates, at the cost of fuel, clearance and ventilation requirements. Electric needs only a circuit, produces no exhaust, can be flush recessed into a soffit, and is the straightforward answer for a covered patio, a balcony or anywhere running a gas line is impractical. If your space is open and cold, look at gas. If it is covered and you want the heater to disappear into the ceiling, look at electric.