Patio Heater Buying Guide: Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Electric Infrared
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A good patio heater can stretch backyard season well into late fall and winter, keeping a dinner on the deck or a few hours by the pergola comfortable after the sun goes down. Pick the wrong one, though, and you end up with a heater that barely takes the chill off, runs through propane faster than expected, or trips a breaker every time you switch it on. This guide compares the three main fuel types (propane, natural gas, and electric infrared), explains what BTU and wattage ratings actually tell you, and covers the placement and safety questions to answer before you buy.
This is a research-based guide built from safety-agency and manufacturer documentation. We have not run hands-on tests of specific heaters, and we don’t publish test scores or rankings.
How patio heaters actually warm you
Most patio heaters rely mainly on radiant (infrared) heat. Instead of warming the air, which simply drifts away outdoors, radiant energy travels in a straight line and warms the people, furniture, and surfaces it reaches, much like sun on your face on a cold day.[7][8] That has three practical consequences for buyers:
- Distance matters a lot. Like light, infrared weakens as it spreads out, so the closer you sit, the warmer you feel. One electric-heater maker notes that people usually need to be within about 2–3 meters (roughly 6.5–10 feet) of an infrared heater to feel it.[7]
- Wind still matters. A commercial heater manufacturer’s engineering guide notes that radiant output itself isn’t blown away by wind, but wind still makes the people under it feel colder, and it recommends wind barriers such as curtains wherever possible.[8]
- Shelter helps. Any cover, wall, or wind block helps keep a heated area feeling warmer.[7] But with gas heaters, shelter has strict limits for carbon monoxide reasons (see Placement and safety).
Translation: before you shop for “more BTUs,” think about where people will actually sit, how exposed that spot is to wind, and whether you can add a screen or curtain.
Propane vs. natural gas vs. electric
1. Propane patio heaters
Propane is the most common choice for freestanding heaters because it needs no wiring or gas line: you connect a cylinder (usually housed in the base) and light it. That makes propane heaters portable within your yard and useful anywhere on the property.
Downsides: ongoing fuel cost, cylinder swaps or refills, and the work of storing cylinders safely. Propane heaters are combustion appliances, so they are for outdoor use only: safety guidance from NFPA, the propane industry’s safety council, and Ontario’s safety regulator all say never to use them indoors or in enclosed spaces.[1][2][3] Under NFPA 1, the Fire Code, patio heaters with built-in propane containers larger than 1.08 lb must be listed by an organization acceptable to the local authority, so look for a recognized safety-certification mark.[1]
2. Natural gas patio heaters
If your home already has natural gas, a natural-gas heater runs off the utility line: no tanks to swap, and fuel is always on tap. These are typically fixed in place (freestanding units on a permanent hookup, or wall- and ceiling-mounted models), which makes them a good fit for an outdoor room or covered patio you use often.
Downsides: higher up-front cost because of the gas line, and no portability. Propane and natural-gas appliances are not interchangeable out of the box, so buy the right version or a manufacturer-approved conversion kit. Gas-line work should be done by a licensed professional and may require a permit. As with propane, follow the manufacturer’s clearances and use outdoors only.
3. Electric infrared patio heaters
Electric heaters turn electricity into infrared heat through a heating element or lamp.[7] They produce no combustion exhaust at the heater, switch on instantly, and are often wall- or ceiling-mounted, which saves floor space on a small patio or under a pergola roof that the manufacturer has rated for it.
Downsides: they warm a more focused area, and output is limited by your circuit. Smaller units plug into a standard outlet, while larger models are often hardwired; one manufacturer, for example, notes that nearly all of its outdoor heaters run on a 240-volt supply installed by an electrician.[7] Some heaters are also designed with a visible orange glow; older “quartz halogen” style heaters can produce bright glare, so check the light output if you plan to sit near one for hours.[7] And if the unit will stay outside year-round, check its weather rating and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Quick comparison
General category traits only, not test results for any particular product.
| Propane | Natural gas | Electric infrared | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | Connect a cylinder | Professional gas line | Outlet or hardwired circuit |
| Portability | Movable (when off and cool) | Fixed | Mostly fixed; some portable |
| Fuel logistics | Refills and swaps | None after install | None |
| Heat output | Typically high | Typically high | Limited by circuit; focused |
| Combustion exhaust | Yes (outdoors only) | Yes (outdoors only) | None at the heater |
| Best for | Open patios, flexibility | Frequently used outdoor rooms | Small or covered spaces, spot heat |
Styles: tower, pyramid, tabletop, and mounted
- Tower (“mushroom”) heaters: the classic tall freestanding heater with a reflector hood on top that pushes heat down and out in a circle. A good fit for a seating area people gather around.
- Pyramid or glass-tube heaters: tall heaters with a visible flame inside a glass tube. They’re chosen largely for ambiance; if heat matters more than looks, compare the manufacturer’s stated output with a tower-style heater.
- Tabletop heaters: small propane heaters for a bistro or dining table. Useful for two to four people, but they still need clearance from umbrellas and anything that can burn, and a stable table they can’t be knocked off.
- Wall- and ceiling-mounted heaters: mostly electric (some natural gas). They free up floor space and can be aimed at seating. Mounting height has the biggest effect on how warm people feel: higher mounting spreads heat wider but less intensely.[8]
Planning where a heater fits around your furniture and walkways? Our small backyard patio layout guide covers zones and traffic flow.
BTUs, watts, and fuel use
Gas heaters are rated in BTUs per hour, and electric heaters in watts. To compare them, use the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s conversion factors: 1 kilowatt-hour = 3,412 BTU, and 1 gallon of propane = 91,452 BTU.[6] A few worked examples (simple math, not product specs):
- An electric heater drawing 1,500 watts puts out about 1.5 × 3,412 ≈ 5,100 BTU per hour.
- A gas heater rated at 40,000 BTU per hour burns roughly 40,000 ÷ 91,452 ≈ 0.44 gallons of propane per hour at full output.
- Electric running cost is easy to estimate: kilowatts × hours × your electric rate. A 2,000-watt heater uses 2 kWh per hour of operation at full power.[7] Check your utility bill for your actual rate.
For a quick rule of thumb on propane, Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) notes that a 20-pound cylinder generally equals about 10 hours of patio-heater operation.[3] Actual runtime depends on the heater’s rating and setting, so check the manual. A cylinder gauge helps avoid running out mid-evening.
Don’t compare raw BTUs to watts and assume the bigger number always feels warmer. How much heat reaches you depends on the heater’s design, its distance from your seat, mounting height, and wind.[7][8] Manufacturers usually publish a heated-area or coverage figure; treat it as a guideline, since real coverage changes with temperature, wind, and mounting height.[7]
Placement and safety
Follow your heater’s manual first; it lists the required clearances above, around, and below the unit. Then use these general rules from published safety guidance:
- Outdoors only for gas. Never use propane or natural-gas patio heaters indoors, in a garage, or inside a tent or enclosed structure, because carbon monoxide can build up.[2][3]
- Know what “enclosed” means. TSSA’s guidance (citing the ANSI Z83.26/CSA 2.37 standard) says that if gas patio heaters are used in a shelter, it should have walls on all sides but no overhead cover; or an overhead cover with no more than two side walls; or an overhead cover and three walls with at least 30% of the perimeter permanently open.[3] That guidance is written for restaurants, but it’s a useful way to think about a covered porch or a pergola with curtains.
- Look up and around. Keep combustibles such as umbrellas, awnings, curtains, tablecloths, and decorations clear of the heater.[3] NFPA’s general rule is to keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heating equipment.[1]
- Keep heaters out of foot traffic and away from doors. The propane industry’s safety council recommends placing heaters out of the way of foot traffic and at least five feet from exits.[2]
- Stable, level ground. Not on grass, an uneven surface, or near the edge of a raised deck, and look for a tip-over (anti-tilt) feature on freestanding units.[3]
- Never move a lit heater. Shut off the gas and let the unit cool first.[2][3]
- Don’t leave it unattended, and take extra care around children.[3] NFPA advises turning off portable heaters when the area isn’t occupied.[1]
- Check for leaks. Smell gas? Don’t light it.[2] TSSA recommends learning how to check hoses, valves, and fittings for leaks.[3]
- Store cylinders outdoors. Keep propane cylinders upright, outdoors, in a ventilated spot, never inside the house, and away from operating heaters.[1][2][3] If you bring the heater inside for winter storage, remove the cylinder first.[3]
Electric heater power safety
- CPSC advises plugging electric portable heaters directly into a wall outlet, never a power strip, and never running the cord under rugs.[4] The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI) likewise advises against using an extension cord or power strip with heaters.[5]
- Outdoors, use GFCI-protected outlets. ESFI calls a GFCI outdoors “a lifesaver, not a luxury.”[5]
- Electric heaters should be listed by a qualified testing laboratory and placed where they can’t easily be knocked over.[1]
- For a new outdoor circuit or a hardwired 240-volt heater, hire a licensed electrician.
Buying checklist
- Where will people sit? Measure the seating zone and the distance from the heater to each seat.
- How open is the space? Fully open, partly covered, or under a roof? This decides whether gas is appropriate at all.
- What fuel do you have? A natural gas stub, an outdoor GFCI outlet, room on the circuit for a 240-volt line, or none of these (propane)?
- Clearances: compare the manual’s clearance requirements to your ceiling, pergola, umbrella, and walls before you buy.
- Certification: look for a recognized safety listing mark and, on freestanding units, tip-over protection.
- Wind: plan a screen, curtain, or more sheltered location if your patio is breezy.
- Running cost: estimate propane use or kWh cost with the math above.
- Storage: a cover for the off-season, and a safe outdoor spot for cylinders.
The bottom line
Choose propane for flexible, high-output heat on an open patio; natural gas if you have a line and want a permanent, no-refill setup; and electric infrared for focused, exhaust-free heat in smaller or covered spaces. Whichever you pick, placement matters as much as the rating: put the heater close to where people actually sit, block the wind, respect the clearances, and never use a gas heater in an enclosed space.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, a propane or an electric patio heater?
It depends on your space. Propane heaters need no wiring, can be moved around an open patio (when off and cool), and typically put out more heat, but they need cylinder refills and must be used outdoors only. Electric infrared heaters produce no combustion exhaust at the heater and switch on instantly, making them a good fit for smaller or covered spaces, but their output is limited by your electrical circuit and larger models may need a hardwired 240-volt line.
Can I use a propane patio heater on a covered patio or porch?
Only within the manufacturer's clearance and ventilation requirements. Gas patio heaters must never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces because of carbon monoxide. Ontario's TSSA, citing the ANSI Z83.26/CSA 2.37 standard, says a shelter used with gas patio heaters should have either no overhead cover, or an overhead cover with no more than two side walls, or an overhead cover and three walls with at least 30% of the perimeter permanently open.
How long does a 20-lb propane tank last in a patio heater?
Ontario's TSSA notes that a 20-pound cylinder generally equals about 10 hours of patio heater operation. Actual runtime depends on the heater's BTU rating and setting; using EIA's figure of 91,452 BTU per gallon of propane, a heater running at 40,000 BTU per hour burns roughly 0.44 gallons per hour at full output.
How do I compare BTUs and watts?
Use the U.S. Energy Information Administration's conversion: 1 kilowatt-hour equals 3,412 BTU. A 1,500-watt electric heater therefore delivers about 5,100 BTU per hour. Keep in mind that how warm you feel also depends on the heater's design, your distance from it, mounting height, and wind.
How far should a patio heater be from things that can burn?
Follow the clearances in your heater's manual, which cover above, around, and below the unit. As a general rule, NFPA advises keeping anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heating equipment, and the propane industry's safety council recommends keeping heaters out of foot traffic and at least five feet from exits.
Can I plug an electric patio heater into an extension cord?
Avoid it. CPSC advises plugging electric portable heaters directly into a wall outlet, never a power strip, and ESFI advises against using extension cords or power strips with heaters. Outdoors, use a GFCI-protected outlet, and have a licensed electrician add a circuit if you need one.
Sources
- National Fire Protection Association, “Outdoor Heater Safety” fact sheet (NFPA 1, Fire Code). nfpa.org (accessed Oct. 2026).
- Propane Education & Research Council, “Portable Outdoor Propane Heater Safety.” propane.com (accessed Oct. 2026).
- Technical Standards and Safety Authority (Ontario), “Patio Heater Safety Guidelines” tssa.org and “Patio Heaters Safety Checklist” tssa.org (accessed Oct. 2026).
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “CPSC Issues Winter Weather Safety Tips to Prevent Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning” (Mar. 16, 2026). cpsc.gov.
- Electrical Safety Foundation International, “Reaching to Safety: Use Extension Cords Properly” esfi.org and “Outdoor Electrical Safety Check” booklet esfi.org (accessed Oct. 2026).
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, “British thermal units (Btu).” eia.gov (accessed Oct. 2026).
- Herschel Infrared (manufacturer), “Herschel’s simple guide to patio heaters & outdoor heating.” herschel-infrared.com (accessed Oct. 2026).
- Detroit Radiant Products Co. (manufacturer), “Engineering & Application Guide: Electric Heaters.” reverberray.com (accessed Oct. 2026).