Patio Heaters

Additional Patio Heater Resources:

Your Helpful Patio Heater Guide Portable Patio Heaters 101 How to Choose a Propane Heater for Outdoor Use Outdoor Entertaining Made Possible with Portable Patio Heaters

Patio Heaters: Electric vs Propane vs Natural Gas

Not sure which kind of patio heater you should choose? Here's a quick rundown of the advantages of each.

Electric Patio Heaters:

• Easy to operate - just plug it in and turn it on
• Less expensive to purchase
• No risk of carbon monoxide or other toxic emissions

Propane Patio Heaters:

• Can be placed anywhere without needing an outlet
• Propane considered a "greener" fuel source than electricity
• Propane is less expensive than most electricity rates

Natural Gas Patio Heaters:

• No need to refill tanks - connects to natural gas line
• Cleanest burning fuel source
• Inexpensive fuel costs

Freestanding Patio Heaters

Probably when you think of patio heaters, the first thing that comes to mind is the umbrella heater or mushroom heater. Available in a wide range of decorator styles and finishes, these tall, column-like heaters radiate heat in all directions, usually up to 15 or 20 square feet. Smaller versions are just right for setting on a table or ledge, perfect for keeping diners comfortable. Most come with a thermostat to adjust the temperature and safety features include a tip-over switch that shuts the unit off if it gets knocked over. .

Ceiling and Wall Mounted Patio Heaters

When space is a concern, a space heater that mounts on a wall or ceiling will provide all the warmth and comfort you need without getting in the way. Unlike freestanding heaters, which must be in the center of the area to be warmed, mounted heaters radiate heat from the side or above. Because a mounted heater must be in such close proximity to a structure, they are typically electric, which reduces the risk of fire.