What are the differences between gas and electric patio heaters?
Posted by Alfresco Heating on Feb 6th 2014
- I personally like the comforting feeling of gas heaters better.
- I feel that electric heaters have a harder edge to the heat they produce.
- Gas heaters require greater clearances from combustibles.
- Electric heaters can be tucked into corners better.
- Gas heaters are on or off. Some have high and low settings.
- Electric heaters can be infinitely controlled from 0 - 100%.
- Gas patio heaters can be used outdoors, or indoors with mechanical ventilation.
- Electric patio heaters can be used outdoors or indoors, and can be mounted flush inside flat ceilings.
- Natural gas patio heaters cost much less to operate than electric.
- Electric patio heaters cost 4x as much to operate (in the San Francisco Bay Area) as gas patio heaters for a similar amount of felt heat.
- Most gas patio heaters can be uncovered and exposed to the elements.
- Most electric patio heaters can be uncovered and exposed to the elements.
- If covered, gas patio heaters typically need 9” to 24” of clearance to flammables above them depending on the model and whether they are pointed straight down or tilted.
- Infratech electric patio heaters require 6” of clearance to flammables above them.
- Gas patio heaters are available for natural gas and propane.
- Electric patio heaters are available for American household and commercial 120 and 240 voltages, as well as American commercial 208, 277 and 480 voltages.
