Patio Heaters
Patio heater kit keeps outdoor work areas, smoking spots, and customer spaces usable when the temperature drops and the job still needs doing.
When you're expected to keep an outside area working through colder months, a proper patio heater stops staff, customers, and visitors standing there freezing. An electric patio heater is the simple option where you have power on hand and want steady heat without bottles to change. You will also find related Heaters, plus Space Heaters for enclosed work zones and Extension Reels & Leads to get set up properly. Pick the right patio heater electric setup for the space and get the area sorted.
What Are Patio Heaters Used For?
- Heating outdoor smoking shelters, welfare points, and break areas keeps staff from crowding into doorways when the weather turns and the shift is still going.
- Warming pub terraces, cafe seating, and customer waiting areas helps keep outside spaces usable in colder evenings without dragging everyone indoors.
- Taking the edge off exposed yard stations, loading bays, and covered external work areas makes short stop start jobs more bearable during winter callouts.
- Using an electric outdoor heater on covered patios or fixed seating areas gives you steady heat where mains power is available and gas bottles would be a nuisance.
- Supporting seasonal outdoor setups alongside Garden & Outdoor kit helps venues and site teams keep external areas working for longer through autumn and winter.
Choosing the Right Patio Heater
Sorting the right patio heater is simple. Match it to the space, the power available, and how long it needs to stay on.
1. Electric or Gas
If you have a reliable power supply and the heater is staying near the building, an electric patio heater is usually the easier shout. If the area is further out and you cannot run power safely, gas gives you more freedom but comes with bottle changes and more moving parts.
2. Open Area or Covered Spot
For exposed spaces, do not expect miracles. A patio heater works best in sheltered seating areas, smoking bays, and covered patios where the heat is not being stripped away by wind all night.
3. Fixed Position or Moveable Setup
If the heater is for the same terrace or entrance every day, a fixed wall or ceiling mounted unit keeps floors clearer. If you are changing layouts or running temporary setups, freestanding models are easier to shift about.
4. Running Time and Output
If it is only taking the chill off for short breaks, a smaller unit will do. If customers or staff are sitting out there for hours, buy enough output for the space or you will just end up with a glowing heater and cold people.
Who Uses These Patio Heaters?
- Pub, cafe, and hospitality teams use patio heater units to keep outdoor tables in use when evenings cool off and customers still want to sit outside.
- Site managers and facilities teams fit them in smoking shelters and welfare areas so staff have somewhere usable on cold early starts and winter breaks.
- Yard teams, warehouse staff, and trade counter operators use an electric patio heater in covered external spots where doors are opening all day and heat disappears fast.
- Landscapers and maintenance teams reach for patio heater electric models on handover jobs, outdoor demos, or temporary covered areas where a quick mains setup makes more sense than fuel bottles.
The Basics: Understanding Patio Heaters
Patio heaters do not heat outdoor space the same way an indoor heater warms a room. The main thing to understand is how the heat is delivered and how much the weather affects it.
1. Radiant Heat Does the Work
Most patio heater models warm people and surfaces directly rather than trying to heat all the air around them. That is why they work best aimed at seating, standing areas, or work points instead of trying to warm an entire open yard.
2. Shelter Matters More Than Size
Even a decent electric outdoor heater will struggle in strong wind or a fully exposed area. Put the same unit under a canopy, beside a wall, or over a terrace and the heat becomes far more noticeable and useful.
3. Electric Means Simpler Setup
A patio heater electric model is usually quicker to get going because you are working from mains power rather than fuel. That makes it a practical choice for regular use outside shops, pubs, offices, and covered site areas where power is already there.
Patio Heater Accessories That Make Setup Easier
A few sensible extras save hassle, keep the area safer, and stop your heater setup becoming a nuisance on site or outside a venue.
1. Extension Reels and Outdoor Leads
If your electric patio heater is only a few metres short of where it needs to go, the right lead saves awkward layouts and unsafe stretching from indoor sockets. Use proper outdoor rated gear so you are not bodging power across walkways.
2. Weather Covers
A cover stops the heater sitting out collecting dirt, moisture, and bird mess between uses. It is a simple way to keep freestanding units cleaner and cut down on grief when you need them working at short notice.
3. Floor Stands and Mounting Brackets
Mounting options matter more than people think. A proper bracket gets heat where people actually stand or sit, while a stable stand stops you cluttering entrances and seating areas with a badly positioned heater.
Choose the Right Patio Heater for the Job
Use this quick guide to narrow down the type that suits your setup.
| Your Job | Patio Heater Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Heating a covered smoking shelter or staff break point | Wall mounted electric patio heater | Fixed position, no floor clutter, steady radiant heat, simple mains setup |
| Keeping pub or cafe terrace tables usable in colder evenings | Freestanding electric outdoor heater | Easy to position, good for seating zones, suits regular daily use near power |
| Temporary outdoor event area or changing layout | Portable freestanding patio heater | Moveable setup, flexible positioning, useful where the heated area shifts |
| Outdoor area further from the building with limited power access | Gas patio heater | No mains needed, more placement freedom, suited to larger open locations |
| Smaller entrance point, covered doorway, or compact waiting area | Compact electric patio heater | Tighter heat focus, easier fit, less wasted output in smaller sheltered spots |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying for a wide open space and expecting indoor style warmth is the usual mistake. Patio heaters are best at warming people in targeted sheltered areas, so position them around where people stand or sit.
- Choosing an electric patio heater without checking the power run catches plenty of people out. If the socket is too far away or the cable route crosses foot traffic, sort the lead setup properly before buying.
- Going too small on output saves money once and costs you every cold shift after that. If the area is used for more than quick breaks, size the heater to the job or you will end up with complaints and a useless warm glow.
- Sticking a heater where wind strips all the heat away wastes power and patience. Use walls, canopies, screens, or covered spots to make the heat actually count.
- Leaving units dirty and exposed between uses shortens their life. Keep them clean, dry, and covered so they are ready when the weather drops again.
Electric Patio Heater vs Gas Patio Heater vs Space Heater
Electric Patio Heater
Best where you have mains power and a regular fixed area to heat. It is cleaner to run, quieter, and easier for daily use on terraces, entrances, and covered seating without the faff of fuel bottles.
Gas Patio Heater
Better if the heated area is away from the building or power is awkward. You get more freedom on placement, but you need to deal with bottle storage, running costs, and replacing fuel when it runs out.
Space Heater
Space heaters are the right choice for enclosed rooms, workshops, and internal drying jobs, not open patios. If you are heating a contained area, look at Space Heaters instead of trying to make an outdoor heater do an indoor job.
Maintenance and Care
Keep the Heater Clean
Wipe down the housing and grill areas regularly so dust, cobwebs, and outdoor grime do not build up. A filthy heater gives off less useful heat and looks rough outside customer areas.
Check Cables and Connections
With any patio heater electric setup, inspect plugs, leads, and connection points before regular use. If the cable is damaged or the plug has taken a knock, sort it straight away rather than hoping it lasts another week.
Store or Cover Between Uses
If the heater is not staying up permanently, store it somewhere dry. For freestanding outdoor units left in place, use a proper cover so rain, dirt, and bird mess are not sitting on it all season.
Check Mounts and Stability
Wall brackets, fixings, and freestanding bases need checking now and then, especially in exposed areas. A wobbly heater over a seating area is not something you leave until it becomes a problem.
Replace Worn Parts Before They Fail
If guards are bent, switches are sticking, or heating elements are no longer performing properly, do not keep nursing it through winter. Replace worn parts where possible or swap the unit before it lets you down in cold weather.
Why Shop for Patio Heaters at ITS?
Whether you need a compact electric patio heater for a covered entrance or a larger setup for terraces and outdoor customer areas, we stock the range that trade and facilities buyers actually need. Our patio heater and electric outdoor heater options are held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery.
Patio Heater FAQs
How long will a 20 lb propane tank last in a patio heater?
On a typical gas patio heater, a 20 lb propane bottle often lasts roughly 8 to 10 hours on full output, sometimes longer on lower settings. Real world runtime depends on the heater rating and how hard you are driving it through the shift.
Do outdoor patio heaters really work?
Yes, they do, but only when used properly. A patio heater is there to warm people in a defined area, not turn an open car park into a heated room. In covered terraces, smoking bays, and sheltered seating areas, the difference is obvious.
Are electric patio heaters cheaper to run than gas?
Often yes, especially for regular use in smaller or fixed areas where you already have power. An electric patio heater also avoids bottle hire, fuel storage, and running out halfway through service, so overall setup is usually simpler to manage.
Will an electric patio heater work in a completely open area?
It will still give off heat, but do not expect much comfort if the wind is cutting straight through. Electric outdoor heater units work far better in sheltered spots where the heat can stay around the people using the space.
What is the main advantage of a patio heater electric model?
The big advantage is convenience. You plug it in, switch it on, and get steady heat without changing gas bottles or dealing with fuel storage. For pubs, offices, and covered external work areas, that makes day to day use easier.
Do I need anything else to set up an electric patio heater properly?
Sometimes yes. Check you have a safe power route, proper outdoor rated connections, and enough cable length before it arrives. If the heater is going further from the building, plan for suitable Extension Reels & Leads rather than stretching a lead across the floor and hoping for the best.
