Patio Heaters

Choose your patio heater by fuel

An electric patio heater suits a covered patio, porch or balcony because it needs no venting and gives off no fumes. Mounted electric patio heaters are hard wired to their own circuit, like an electric dryer, so an electrician installs them. Keep them under cover, out of direct rain. Bromic Platinum and Tungsten electric collections can also warm an enclosed patio.

A natural gas patio heater connects to a gas line through a licensed gas fitter. Choose natural gas or propane on the listing when browsing gas patio heaters. A mounted propane patio heater also uses a line, while the portable gas option holds a propane tank in its base. Gas needs fresh air on an open or partly open patio, never an enclosed room. Read how to choose gas or electric for your space to narrow your fuel choice.

Choose where it mounts

A ceiling patio heater aims warmth down toward the seats. For a hanging patio heater, measure the mounting height before choosing a ceiling pole. Bromic guides place an overhead patio heater about 8 to 9 feet above the floor, check the manual for your model. A wall mounted patio heater uses a bracket to direct warmth from the side.

A freestanding patio heater gives you a standing patio heater where there is no mounting surface. Each portable patio heater here rolls on wheels, and the gas one carries its propane tank in its base while an electrician connects the electric one. The electric version also has a dimmable light. Read the covered patio placement and clearance guide before deciding where to install one.

Infrared heat and how many you need

An infrared patio heater sends radiant heat toward people and surfaces, like sunshine. Radiant and infrared describe the same warmth here, which works outdoors and holds up in a breeze. Direction matters because each heater needs to aim at your seating.

Bromic coverage runs from about 65 square feet for a small electric heater to about 215 square feet for larger gas options. Measure the seating area rather than the whole patio. Wind, mounting height and a roof affect how many you need. Our guide to how many patio heaters your seating needs helps you work from that area.

Common questions and guides

The guides above explain which fuel suits your space and where a heater can go under a roof. They also help you work out how many heaters your seating area needs. For a shortlist, look for our ranked guide to the heaters we carry.

Meet the brands

Bromic Heating collections and controls include Platinum, Tungsten, Eclipse and Cobalt. Bromic patio heaters range from the slim Platinum face with very little light to the visible Tungsten glow. Eclipse combines heat with a dimmable warm white light, while Cobalt has a plain silver finish. Platinum Marine uses marine grade stainless steel for salt air.

Detroit Radiant heating options come from a family owned American company founded in 1955 that builds its heaters in Warren, Michigan. Its electric bar heaters have glowing elements behind a grille. Its gas box and tube heaters suit a seating area or a longer strip of seats. For a restaurant or driving range, explore commercial patio heaters with the layout in mind.

Why buy patio heaters from My Cozy Outdoors

We are an authorized dealer for Bromic Heating and Detroit Radiant. Every listing carries the full manufacturer warranty. If you are choosing fuel, mount or size, call us and we will talk it through. Bring your seating measurements and tell us whether the space has a roof.

Your heating questions answered

What is the best heater for an outdoor patio?

Your fuel, mount and roof guide the choice. Hard wired electric suits covered seating, with selected collections suitable for enclosed patios. Plumbed gas gives more heat per heater on open patios. Portable gas works without a mounting surface. All warm people directly, like sunshine.

Can you use a patio heater under a covered patio?

Yes, electric needs no venting under cover. Gas needs fresh air on partly open patios. Vented tube heaters can duct their exhaust outside through a vent pipe for a covered patio with a solid roof. Keep the clearance above the heater that its manual gives.

How many patio heaters do I need?

Coverage ranges from about 65 to about 215 square feet, depending on the heater. Measure your seating area and aim each heater at the seats. Mounting height, wind and a roof affect the answer. Choose the size or number that covers that seating area.

Gas or electric: which is right for my patio?

Electric needs an electrician and its own circuit, with no venting under cover. Mounted gas needs a gas fitter, a line and fresh air, with more heat per heater. Portable gas needs no line. Match your fuel choice to the connections and cover you have.

Can you use a patio heater indoors or in a garage?

No, every outdoor heater here belongs outdoors. Gas needs an open or partly open patio with fresh air. Electric belongs under outdoor cover, or on an enclosed patio where its listing allows. Never use a patio heater inside a house or a closed garage.