Can A Patio Heater Be Used Under A Roof

Best Propane: Frontgate Commercial Patio Heater

Size: 33 x 18 x 89 inches | Material: Stainless steel | BTU: 46,000 | Heat Range Diameter: Not listed| CSA Certified: No

• Slightly noisier than other models

• Expensive

Liquid propane is a powerful fuel source for patio heaters, and this is one of the best propane-powered models you can buy. The Commercial Patio Heater is just like the ones youd find at a restaurant, and its mushroom-shaped design produces 46,000 BTUs of heat across your outdoor space.

The stainless steel heater features a piezoelectric ignition system, as well as a double-mantle heating grid. Its wide base provides stability, and theres also an automatic shut-off valve for safety. The heater runs on 20-pound liquid propane tanks that you store in the base, and the unit is even mounted on wheels, allowing you to easily move it around your patio.

Size: 14.1 x 25.5 x 25.5 inches | Material: Stainless steel | BTU: 43,000 | Heat Range Diameter: 200 square feet | CSA Certified: No

• Doesn’t take up floor space

• Easy-pivot arm brackets provide directional control

• Durable

• Heat output is not adjustable

• Does not include heat deflectors

• Requires electrical outlet

If you already have a natural gas line in your home, you can use it to power a patio heater like this one. The Bromic Black Tungsten 500 Patio Heater is designed to be mounted to a wall or ceiling, and it delivers 43,000 BTUs of output, which can heat a space up to 200 square feet.

Why Trust The Spruce

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester who specializes in all things home. Camryn has written for The Spruce since 2017, and has a background in interior design. For this roundup, she considered each heater’s power source, range, heat output, and price.

Fixed Outdoor Mushroom Heaters

Mushroom style heaters are a very popular choice for outdoor heating. Not only do they have a cool design, but theyre also extremely good at evenly distributing heat. There are basically two types of these heaters: portable types and fixed types. Let us first look at the fixed type.

Since mushroom-style heaters use infrared heat technology to distribute heat, there are no dangers of exposure to open flames.

This is why they can safely be used as long as there isa minimum of 2 feet of clearance between them and the roof of the patio.

Considering the average height of these heaters, you would need a roof at least 10 feet high.

One thing about these heaters is that they are permanently connected to your gas lines and cannot be moved around once installed. So, it would be wise to install them around the edge of the patio.

It would also be wise to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between these heaters and any combustible material like wood or lattice.

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What Patio Heaters Are Safe To Use Under A Roof

It is safe as long as you are using the right type of heater and that the heater is given enough clearance. Natural gas and propane mushroom heaters use infrared heat technology to distribute heat. Since they push heat downward, they will be safer to use under a roof than using a heater that has an open flame. These types of heaters are often tall, so youll need to be aware of the clearance space that is required. For most brands, they can be used as long as there is a minimum of 2 feet of clearance space between the unit and the roof. To put this into perspective, if you have a heater that is 7 feet tall, you will need the roof to be at least 9 feet high.

Freestanding and portable heaters are also okay to use. These are typically powered by propane gas and need less than 3 feet of clearance room. If you need something a little more powerful than the standard portable one, you might want to consider installing a fixed box industrial electric infrared heater. Just remember to check the manufacturers recommendations first, as some brands require only half a foot of clearance space, while others need a full 2 feet to be considered safe.

Clean Your Heater Regularly:

Regular cleaning of your heater will ensure it stays in good condition. Clean your heater at least once a year, checking for any obvious wear and tear that might impact its safety and efficiency.

Any product that is used incorrectly or carelessly has the potential to cause problems, and patio heaters are no different.

As long as you adhere to all the safety measures and never leave your patio heater unattended, you can feel confident and enjoy your patio heater in the comfort of your screened-in porch!

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Can You Use A Patio Heater Under A Covered Patio

A patio heater is a must-have item for the cooler seasons.

It is a great alternative to a fire, allowing you to use the outer living spaces of a house, restaurant, or office during the months when it would normally be too cold to hang outside.

But one recurring question about patio heaters is if they can be used under a covered patio.

You can use a patio heater under a covered patio as long as you have the right type of heater and the heater fits within the patios dimensions. While they are safer than fire pits for lighting under a roof, each type of heater needs a different amount of clearance.

In this article, we will explore this subject in detail as well as share some great tips on how you can get the most out of your patio heater when it is under a covered patio.

Patio Heater Buying Guide

Your patio is a great place to entertain guests during the summer months, and it can be hard to give that up when the temperatures start to drop. With a patio heater, you can stay warm and enjoy your outdoor time longer. You have several options to choose from when it comes to patio heaters. Explore these options and find the one that works best for your outdoor space.

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Why You Should Get An Outdoor Patio Heater

An outdoor patio heater is an effective way to bring a little more warmth to your outdoor living space so you use it more often, especially on those chilly nights early and late in the season. Go beyond an outdoor fireplace and add even more warmth to your ultimate backyard with one of these highly-rated outdoor patio heaters. Check out 40 more of our favorite outdoor woodworking projects that can be incorporated into any backyard idea.

Risks Of Using An Outdoor Patio Heater Indoors

Most any product puts the consumer at a certain level of risk, whether they are high or low. Propane heaters are now designed to pose the lowest level of risk for the user.

Most heaters have to be certified to ensure that they pose less risk to the user, which is why patio heaters must have an anti-tilt safety mechanism as well as an automatic shut-off button that instantly cuts the gas supply.

A propane gas heater produces carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These gases, if inhaled in extreme amounts, can be fatal.

The standards for these emissions are not as strict with outdoor heaters, and they release more of these gases than indoor heaters. If the outdoor heater is used indoors, these gases will circulate the inside of the house and may cause suffocation and death.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the highest risk of using an outdoor heater while indoors. Carbon monoxide is produced when there is incomplete combustion of gases from an outdoor propane heater. A person with carbon monoxide poisoning will have persistent tiredness, shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Outdoor propane heaters cannot be built in the same way as indoor heaters because this will make outdoor heaters cost more. The design and parts of the outdoor heater are simpler and, therefore, will cost less. This is why an outdoor heater should not be used for any other than its intended purpose.

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How Does A Patio Heater Work

To help you get a better sense of the problem of using a patio heater under a covered patio, let us now look at the basic workings of a patio heater.

Unlike air heaters that keep us warm by blowing hot air into the space around them, patio heaters work by producing radiant heat.

What this means is that air heating heats the air molecules around the heater while radiant heating heats the objects around the heater.

So a patio heater directly warms you up instead of using the air as an emissary of heat.

This also explains why it is more efficient to use a patio heater under an open roof. As we have discussed above, it is generally safe to use these heaters under a covered patio.

But as you might have guessed, this would involve a large chunk of the heat being distributed to the roof of the patio .

You can see then why angling the patio heater towards the open side of the patio could slightly improve heat distribution, but this can be difficult to do with certain models, such as pyramid gas heaters.

Fire Pits And Chimineas

Fire pits and chimineas are best for your wood-burning heater types.

They are a good heating source great for outdoors and give a good ambient feel.

Chimineas are a free-standing oven type which has an opening at the front for loading fuel.

There is a vertical opening which allows the smoke to release and vent upward.

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The Right Patio Heater For The Right Space

To make sure your patio heater performs optimally, you must have the right type of patio heater for your outdoor space. There are a variety of styles to choose from, including the classic domed heaters that feature an umbrella-like reflector at the top, to pyramid-shaped heaters that contain the flame inside a glass tube or even compact tabletop patio heaters which are ideal for smaller outdoor spaces.

Each style of outdoor patio heater has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of portability and décor. However, the primary factor to consider when it comes to safety is the heat capacity and fuel efficiency of your patio heater.

The heat emitted by your patio heater is measured in British Thermal Units . There is no exact way to calculate the right number of BTUs for your outdoor space however, it is recommended that you select a unit that offers approximately 5,000 BTUs per 100 square feet.

What About Outdoor Heater Safety Features

As with any other product that produces high heat, there are risks involved with using outdoor heaters for patios , and the risks differ a bit with each product type. The main risk involved is starting a fire if the heat source touches something flammable. So, above all, make sure whatever outdoor heater you use, you keep it a safe distance away from your house, outdoor furniture and cushions or pillows, as well as trees, and make sure branches and leaves cant fall into the heater. Never put towels or bathing suits on a heater to dry, and keep the heater off of rugs. Also, make sure that if youre using an outdoor electric heater, its nowhere near a pool or other source of water. Most manufacturers caution against using an extension cord with an electric patio heater as well, so be aware of your distance from an outdoor outlet.

With propane heaters, inspect the tank and connections before each use: make sure the tank isnt rusty, and that all connections are secure. Replace any tubing or accessories that look worn. Be sure the base is on level ground and not in danger of tipping over. When youre done using a patio propane heater, make sure its not only turned off, but also that the propane tank connection is shut down.

Best wall patio heater: Briza Infrared Patio Heater

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How To Use An Outdoor Heater Under A Covered Patio

An outdoor heater can be used anywhere outside that you would like some heat. But, when using an outdoor heater under a covered patio, you must be cautious of things surrounding the heater.

Items like an awning or umbrella above, furniture, and decorations shouldnt be too close to it or they will overheat and could melt or light on fire. Most heaters have specific measurements included in their directions of how far to keep items away from the heater.

Make sure that wherever you choose to put an outdoor heater is open and provides ventilation. It should never be placed in a closed-off spot or inside, as that can greatly danger anyone who is in that area. Using an outdoor heater inside can greatly increase the risks of fires as well as possibly making the air inside unbreathable.

Propane heaters pose the highest risk when being used inside. Propane is highly flammable and it emits carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Using a propane outside heater inside could cause these toxic gases to circulate inside your home causing suffocation or even death.

These emissions are at a much higher capacity for outdoor propane heaters since theres a lower chance of breathing in these gases outside.

Some people might tell you that electric and infrared patio heaters are safe for indoor use, but that isnt recommended. All outdoor heaters are made for outdoor use only, and using them for anything else isnt recommended.

What Types Of Patio Heaters Can I Use Indoors

The type of patio heater you invest in will always depend on what type of environment you plan on putting your heater. If you need an outdoor patio heater, you have a lot of options to work with. However, if you need an indoor patio heater, you dont have as much flexibility to use. Instead of being able to use any type of patio heater you may find, youll be limited to using an electric powered patio heater or an infrared patio heater .

Both of these options should prove to be extremely effective when it comes to heating up your indoor space, no matter what time of year it is that you need a bit of extra heat. However, if youre working with a geographical location that tends to be extremely cold in nature, youre going to need to make sure that you are using a product that puts off as much heat as possible. Since infrared heaters tend to produce more heat than traditional electric heaters, this will probably be the best bet for you.

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Benefits Of Using Patio Heaters In Screened

Smaller, enclosed spaces will generally heat up faster than open spaces. Running a heater in a screened-in porch is more likely to result in a higher ambient temperature than the same heater in an open space.

As your screened patio is less exposed to the elements, such as wind and rain, the amount of extra heat you will need is less than in an open space.

This means that you will likely require a smaller heater or less energy to heat your space.

Patio covers and screens help protect your heater from weather elements. This extra protection from rain, snow, and wind will likely help prolong the lifespan of the heater.

Alright guys, thats it for this article, if you are interesting in reading more about patio heaters, we have lots of cool articles related such as:

What Heaters Are Safe For Tents

All freestanding patio heaters are safe inside larger tents when you operate them correctly. A heater near a wall, roof, or touching a tent pole is a significant fire hazard.

Placement is everything. It would help if you put your patio heater as far from the sides and poles of your tent as possible and never set anything flammable nearby like camping bedding.

I suggest getting a heater in a style that has a hat on top to help direct the heat downward. Because heat rises, the top of your tent will always be warmer, even without heat, than the floor.

Not only do these covers help warm the space more evenly, but they also prevent the heat from channeling directly up and scorching or burning the roof of your tent above the heater.

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What Is The Difference Between Large Single Dome Patio Heaters & Triple Dome Patio Heaters

A large single dome patio heater directs heat in one direction, while a triple dome patio heater directs heat into three separate areas, providing a more even heat distribution and keeping the heat produced protected from the wind.

Both styles have a heat output of 40,000 BTUs and feature a ceramic cone insulator that allows for longer heat retention and improved heating efficiency.

Consider The Size Of Your Gazebo

If you have a bigger gazebo, you need to purchase a sufficient patio heater. In other words, the patio heater you purchase should be in a position to generate a sufficient amount of heat.

Otherwise, you will not be able to heat the entire gazebo. You can, of course, utilize multiple heaters directing heat at different spots to increase the size of area you can heat.

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Can You Use A Patio Heater In Your Garage

Propaneoutdoor patio heatersOutdoor patio heatersusegarage

Yes, you can use a propane heater in a garage. There are only two main stipulations: it must have adequate and combustion air to operate, and you have to keep it away from flammable materials. There are some portable propane heaters that can be used indoors with a disposable propane tank.

Also, can a patio heater be used inside? Gas patio heaters cannot be used indoors. They should only be used in an open outdoor space with plenty of air flow. Electric patio heaters can be used in both indoor and outdoor spaces. They don’t produce carbon emissions or greenhouse gases making them the safest and most environmentally conscious choice.

Similarly, can patio heaters be used under a roof?

While they are uniquely suited to extend comfort in non-covered spaces, they are just as welcome under roofs. As long as these highly portable products have enough vertical clearance to meet the manufacturer’s safety standards, mushroom heaters provide the agility to handle a variety of areas.

What type of heater is best for a garage?

The 6 Best Garage Heaters

• Mr.
• Dyna-Glo Pro RMC-FA60DGP 30,000-60,000 BTU Propane Forced Air Heater.
• Modine HD45AS0111 45,000 BTU Hot Dawg Natural Gas Garage Heater.
• Heatstar By Enerco F125444 Radiant/Natural Gas Overhead Garage Heater.
• Fahrenheat FUH54 240-volt, 2500-5000-watt Electric Fan-forced Garage Heater.