Electric vs Gas Patio Heaters – Which is best ?

If you are providing outdoor shelter for your customers in the form of Outdoor Gazebos, Dining Cabins or Marquees then Electric Heaters are your best option. They are cost effective and efficient.

The downside is these patio heaters are restricted by location – they must be fixed to something substantial like a building which could be further away from your outdoor tables and they are limited to access to electric power points.

Pros of Electric Patio Heaters:

• Electric Patio Heaters can be placed under cover as long as there is ventilation and they are mounted with sufficient space around them to not touch combustible surfaces.
• These commercial outdoor heaters once under a roof retain heat in that area even more effectively.
• 2KW Electric Patio Heaters are cheap to run and plug straight into mains electricity
• The low glare infrared lamp has 70,000 hours life
• The area heated is approximately 6 square metres
• Wall Mounted Electric Heaters on their bracket can be directed and angled to where your customers are located
• The electric patio heaters we are offer are waterproof and rust proof
• Safety wise, they can easily placed out of customers way so there is less opportunity to touch them
• They are remote controlled, so easily turned on and off
• Electric Heaters are efficient in small outdoor spaces

Cons of Electric Patio Heaters:

• If you do not have outdoor shelter then they are not going to be as effective as gas heaters which heat a larger area
• The electric heaters do need to be fixed to something substantial like a building or structure that might not be close to your outdoor tables
• The diners directly underneath a heater location might get too warm
• Location might be restricted by where your electric power points are
• Any hardwiring to the mains should be carried out by a professional electrician
• There is no adjustable temperature control

Free standing gas patio heaters provide a wow factor and focal point for your outdoor areas.

If you have a large pub garden or hotel terrace that is not under cover then free standing gas patio heaters are your best option.

They are not restricted by location, having their own gas canisters, and all our models have wheels for ease of movement if required.

Pros of Gas Patio Heaters:

• Our range of gas patio heaters heat a large area – up to 20 square metres
• So it would be the equivalent of having 3 x electric heaters to heat the same area
• Free Standing Gas Patio Heaters have their own gas canisters
• There are no cables or restrictions to power point access
• All the gas patio heater models we offer have variable temperature controls
• The gas patio heaters have anti-tilt automatic shut off features for safety
• The Pyramid Patio Heater has a large base to avoid tipping 50cm x 50cm
• The real flame effect heaters creates a cosy and warmer atmosphere for customers
• They all have heat guards as a safety feature
• The gas patio heater bases can be weighted or fixed to the ground for greater safety from tipping

Cons of Gas Patio Heaters:

• The gas patio heater 13kw heat output is not as cost efficient as 2kw electric heaters
• Running costs of approximately £3 per hour versus 29p per hour for electric
• You should get the gas patio heaters inspected annually and be aware of carbon monoxide risks
• They cannot be placed under a gazebo, marquee or roof
• The free standing outdoor heaters need a firm, level ground so are not advisable on grass
• Free standing patio heaters pose more of a tipping risk than wall mounted heaters which are firmly secured