AEI Corporation

When it comes to keeping your outdoor space warm and comfortable, patio heaters are the go-to solution for many apartment buildings, condos, restaurants, hotels, and bars. But there’s a big question every property owner must answer: What kind of patio heater should you get?

The answer depends on the fuel source you want to use. All our patio heaters run on one of the following: electricity, natural gas, or propane. Each of these fuel types has unique benefits and challenges. In this guide, we’ll help you understand the differences, so you can choose the right heater for your property. Whether you’re heating a rooftop lounge, sidewalk café, or shared patio at an apartment complex, this blog will explain the three most efficient fuel types for outdoor heating — electric patio heaters, natural gas patio heaters, and propane patio heaters — in simple, clear terms. We’ll also cover two common heater styles: mushroom heaters (round) and horizontal heaters (rectangle). Let’s dive in!

What Do All Patio Heaters Have in Common?

Before we compare the fuel sources, let’s look at what’s the same across the board. All of the heaters we offer are designed for outdoor use, with strong materials that are built to last. These aren’t flimsy camping heaters — they’re commercial-grade patio heaters made for everyday use in busy places like apartment complexes or restaurants. Here’s what you can expect from all three types of patio heaters:

• Durable design: They are made to handle sun, wind, and even some rain.
• Outdoor-focused: These are made for patios, decks, courtyards, and other open-air spaces — not tents or most indoor rooms (some of our heaters are rated to be used in some indoor settings).
• Infrared heating: Instead of heating the air, they heat people and objects directly using safe, invisible infrared waves.
• Infrared is efficient: Since you’re not heating the air, infrared heaters are much better at warming people — even when there’s a breeze.
• Two common shapes: Natural gas and propane are available for mushroom heaters (circular, like a big umbrella). We also have horizontal heaters (rectangular, sleek, box-shaped heaters that are mounted on the wall or from ceiling) that run on electricity, natural gas, or propane.

Electric Patio Heaters

Electric patio heaters are a smart, stylish option — especially when you don’t want to deal with gas lines or propane tanks. These are always horizontal heaters, which means they have a rectangular shape and are mounted overhead or on walls.

Key Features

• Horizontal heaters: Electric patio heaters only come in horizontal styles.
• Not portable: These must be permanently installed — you can’t move them around.
• Mounted on walls, ceilings, or eaves: Some models can even be flush-mounted (with a heater flush-mount frame kit), which means the heater is installed into the ceiling or wall so the face is level with the surface. This gives your patio a clean, modern look.
• Hardwired to your electric grid: These heaters don’t plug into outlets. A licensed electrician will connect them to your building’s electrical system properly.

Controls

Electric patio heaters come with simple to advanced controls, depending on your needs:

• Basic controls: Use a wall switch, temperature dial, or remote control.
• Advanced controls: You can install zone systems (control multiple heaters with one switch), universal panels (use any compatible light switch), or even home management panels that connect to smart devices — control your heaters with your phone or voice assistant.

How They Work

Inside the heater, you’ll find one or two quartz rods that glow hot when electricity passes through them and emit warming infrared heat. If the heater has two rods, it’s called a dual-element heater — it gives off more heat than a single-element heater.

Natural Gas Patio Heaters

Natural gas heaters are a great option if your building or business already has a gas line. They come in both horizontal heaters and mushroom heaters and are made for permanent installation.

Key Features

• Both horizontal and mushroom heaters available
• Not portable: These need to be installed and connected to your natural gas line. Like any large appliance, they can be uninstalled and reinstalled in a new location if needed.
• Mushroom heater mounting options:
  • Freestanding with a weighted base (you can even bolt it down with brackets for added support).
  • In-ground using a post hole.
  • Hanging from an overhead structure (suspended mushroom heater no pole or base).
• Horizontal heaters are wall mounted or ceiling-mounted. See our freely available owner manuals for optimal hanging distances and angles.

Installation

A licensed contractor must install the heater and connect to your gas line. If there’s no nearby natural gas connection, you’ll need to add one — which takes some planning and labor.

Controls

You can choose from different ignition types:

• Manual ignition: Use a long match or stove lighter to light the pilot.
• Electric ignition: Starts with electricity or a battery — some can even be controlled remotely.
• Piezo ignition: Push a button to make a spark and light the heater — no lighter needed.

How They Work

• Horizontal heaters use a ceramic burner system, which emits infrared heat when heated by natural gas.
• Mushroom heaters use a radiant emitter grid, a round metal plate that emits infrared heat when heated by natural gas.

Propane Patio Heaters

If you want the freedom to move your heaters or don’t have access to natural gas, propane might be your best choice. These heaters also come in both mushroom and horizontal styles.

Key Feature

• Both horizontal and mushroom designs
• Mushroom heaters can be portable: They have a hidden propane tank inside the base, and you can add a wheel kit to move them easily.
• Horizontal heaters are fixed: These mount to walls or ceilings, just like the electric and gas versions.
• No permanent gas line needed: Just switch out the propane tank when it’s empty.

Swapping Tanks

Running out of propane can be an inconvenience, but it’s easy to fix, and a small price to pay for robust patio heaters that can be repositioned as needed. Just keep extra propane tanks on hand so you can swap them out without delay.

Controls

Control options are very similar to natural gas:

• Manual ignition: Light the pilot with a match or lighter.
• Electric ignition: Use a power source or battery to ignite the heater — some allow remote control.
• Piezo ignition: A button on the heater creates a spark to light it.

How They Work

• Horizontal heaters use a ceramic burner, just like natural gas versions, but powered by propane.
• Mushroom heaters use a radiant emitter grid that glows hot as it burns propane, releasing infrared waves.

Comparing the Fuel Types Side by Side

Now that you know the basics of each fuel source, let’s compare them in a more direct way. This will help you choose the best option based on your needs and your property.

Which Heater Is Best for You?

The best fuel type depends on your space, your access to fuel, and how much flexibility you need. Let’s break it down by scenario.

Choose Electric Patio Heaters If…

• You want a sleek, modern look with flush-mounted or decorative face plates for your horizontal patio heaters.
• You’re planning a long-term installation and don’t want to worry about swapping fuel tanks.
• You want to control your heaters using smart tech like phone apps or home automation systems.
• Your building’s electrical system can support the added power demand, and you have access to a licensed electrician.

Choose Natural Gas Patio Heaters If…

• Your property already has a natural gas line or you can have one installed.
• You want to avoid the hassle of swapping out fuel tanks but don’t need advanced controls (some of our natural gas heaters offer remote controls for operation).
• You’re installing permanent heating in a larger outdoor space, like a restaurant patio or common area in a condo complex.
• You prefer traditional, consistent heating with a lower fuel cost over time.

Choose Propane Patio Heaters If…

• You need portable heaters that can be moved around, or stored out of the way when they aren’t needed.
• Your property doesn’t have natural gas hook-ups or electric power where you want to use your heaters, and you can’t or don’t want to install the needed infrastructure.
• You want to get started quickly without the need for wiring or gas line installation.
• You don’t mind swapping out propane tanks once in a while — and you have extras ready.
• You need to deliver working patio heaters for temporary events for your event supply rental company

Final Thoughts

No matter which fuel source you choose — electric, natural gas, or propane — all of our patio heaters are designed to perform all day long in commercial settings. They provide safe, efficient infrared heat, stand up to the elements, and come in the stylish mushroom or horizontal designs that match your space. Electric heaters give you the smartest control and the cleanest installation. Natural gas heaters provide powerful, steady heat without the need to replace fuel. Propane heaters offer unbeatable flexibility and are perfect when you need to move things around. So whether you’re a property manager heating a shared courtyard or a restaurant owner warming up your outdoor dining area, you now have the knowledge to pick the right patio heater. We’re here to help with top-quality products and expert advice — no matter which fuel you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are patio heaters safe to use around people?

A: Yes. Our patio heaters only produce infrared heat, like the sun does, which is safe for people and pets. Unlike the sun, our patio heaters do not emit any ultraviolet rays, which would be harmful. Infrared heat is a safe and well understood technology that has been used throughout modern society for decades without harming people or the environment.

Q: Can I install a patio heater myself?

A: If it’s a portable propane mushroom heater, yes. With simple tools a pair of people can assemble our propane mushroom heater, if they follow the directions properly, in a few hours. For electric and natural gas models, we strongly recommend using a licensed electrician or contractor to ensure safety and code compliance.

Q: What’s the difference between a mushroom heater and a horizontal heater?

A: Mushroom heaters are round and usually freestanding, with heat spreading in a circle around the heater. Horizontal heaters are rectangular, mounted on walls or ceilings, and direct heat in a specific direction.

Q: Do propane heaters work in windy conditions?

A: Yes, they work well in the wind, and although their effectiveness can be reduced by windy conditions, they still remain the most effective outdoor heater for windy conditions. Infrared heaters do heat people directly, a wind can cool people directly as well. For very windy locations we might recommend spacing heaters closer together.

Q: Can I control my heaters with my smartphone?

A: Yes, if you choose electric heaters with a home management panel, you can connect to a compatible 3rd-party smart home control system. Some propane and natural gas heaters with electric ignition could potentially be connected to a remote system.

Ready to Choose the Right Patio Heater?

Whether you’re heating a shared patio at an apartment complex or adding comfort to an outdoor dining space at your restaurant, the right patio heater makes all the difference. Still not sure which fuel type is best for your space? Our team is here to help.

Contact us today for expert advice, personalized recommendations, and high-quality patio heaters designed to fit your needs.

Let’s make your outdoor space warm, inviting, and ready for year-round use.

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