Patio Heater Buying Guide: Infrared vs Propane vs Electric (and Why Most Guides Get It Wrong)
The direct answer: For permanent installations, infrared electric heaters (Infratech) are the best choice for 80% of situations — silent, no emissions, instant heat, under $0.50/hour. For large open spaces, gas infrared heaters (Sunpak, Sunglo) deliver more BTUs. Standalone propane towers are least efficient but work when you need portability.
Most guides rank heaters by brand or price. That's backwards. The first question isn't 'which heater?' — it's 'what kind of space am I heating?' The physics of outdoor heating determines the answer.
How Outdoor Heating Actually Works
Radiant/infrared heaters project heat directly onto people and surfaces — like the sun. Wind has minimal effect because you're heating objects, not air.
Convective heaters (propane towers) heat the air around them. Outdoors, wind carries the warm air away — which is why that restaurant patio heater never seems to work when there's a breeze.
The implication: a 4,000W infrared heater outperforms a 40,000 BTU propane tower in any real outdoor scenario with wind. This is what most guides get wrong.
Electric Infrared Heaters
Wall or ceiling-mount fixtures using electric heating elements. No gas, no flame. Best brands: Infratech (industry standard, made in USA 50+ years), Dimplex, Heatstrip.
Infratech W-Series 39" — 3,000W, covers 150 sq ft, $750. We've installed these in 50+ restaurant patios and had zero warranty claims.
Operating cost: $0.30–0.80/hour. Installation: electrician, 2–4 hours, $200–600.
Gas Infrared Heaters (Mounted)
Permanently mounted fixtures using natural gas or propane. Best brands: Sunpak (since the 1970s, made in Southern California), Sunglo (since 1961), SunStar.
Sunpak S34 — 34,000 BTU, covers 200 sq ft, $1,150. The workhorse of restaurant patio heating.
Operating cost: $1.00–2.50/hour. Installation: gas line + mounting, $500–1,500.
Standalone Propane Tower Heaters
The familiar 'mushroom' heaters. Free-standing, no installation. Best brands: Crown Verity, Dimplex.
Crown Verity CV-2620 — 45,000 BTU, 200 sq ft coverage, $650. No installation needed.
Our honest take: tower heaters are the most popular by unit sales AND the least efficient. The heat rises straight up, wind eliminates most benefit. If you can mount an infrared heater instead, do that.
How to Calculate What You Need
Small space (8×8): one 1,500W or 25,000 BTU unit. Medium (10×15): one 3,000W or two 25,000 BTU units. Large (15×20): two 3,000W units. Commercial (500+ sq ft): contact us for a custom layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a patio heater?
Electric infrared: $0.30–0.80/hour. Gas infrared: $1.00–2.50/hour. Propane tower: $2.50–4.00/hour. A typical 3-hour evening, 4 nights a week, costs $15–40/month for electric.
Do patio heaters work in wind?
Infrared heaters (electric and gas) work well in wind — they heat objects, not air. Propane towers are largely ineffective above 10 mph.
How high should I mount a patio heater?
Electric infrared: 8–12 feet above the heated area. Gas infrared: 8–10 feet. Infratech provides mounting height charts for every model.
Last updated: April 2026. All pricing reflects current retail from the brands we carry as authorized dealers.