The right outdoor heater can make your patio, pergola or verandah comfortable well beyond the warmer months. But when comparing gas vs. electric outdoor heaters, which is right for your patio? The answer depends less on which technology is “better” and more on your space, how exposed it is to wind, where you need the warmth and how often you plan to use it.
Start With Your Outdoor Space
Before choosing a heater, look at where people actually sit rather than simply measuring the entire patio. Outdoor areas lose heat quickly, particularly when they are open to wind, so trying to warm all the surrounding air is often inefficient. Radiant and infrared heaters work differently by directing warmth towards people and surfaces, making them particularly useful over dining tables and lounge areas.
A sheltered Stratco Outback® Patio, for example, may only need targeted heating over its main entertaining zone. A large open deck may require a more powerful heater or several heating points.
When To Choose Electric Heating
An electric patio heater is a practical choice when you want quiet, targeted heat with minimal maintenance. There are no gas bottles to refill or store, and wall- or ceiling-mounted models keep valuable floor space clear.
Heller Infrared Outdoor Heater
Stratco currently stocks several electric options, including the 2000W Heller Infrared Outdoor Heater. The Heller model is wall-mounted and offers nine heat settings, a timer and remote control, while Stratco describes its strip heaters as a less bulky option for patio installations.
This makes patio heaters electric particularly useful for defined areas such as an outdoor dining table or lounge setting. For a smaller verandah, an electric porch heater setup can also provide warmth without adding a freestanding appliance to the space.
The main consideration is power. Some electric heaters can plug into an appropriate outlet, while higher-powered models may have different electrical requirements. Always check the individual product specifications and installation requirements rather than choosing on wattage alone.
When To Choose Gas Heating
Gas heating is worth considering when you want strong heat output or the flexibility of a freestanding heater. It can be particularly useful in larger entertaining spaces where people move around rather than staying within one small heating zone.
The Stratco Area Heater delivers a maximum output of 36 MJ/hr and includes a tilt switch, flame-failure device and oxygen-depletion cut-off system. Stratco also currently lists the Gasmate Stellar Black Deluxe Area Heater, a propane model with adjustable heat output and an approximate 15m² heat coverage specified by the manufacturer.
A propane heater patio setup also gives you the advantage of portability, but it comes with additional considerations. LPG bottles need to be replaced and stored correctly, and gas heaters require suitable outdoor ventilation. Hoses, regulators and burners also require more attention than a typical electric heater.
What About Running Costs?
There is no useful universal answer to whether gas or electric is cheaper to run. The cost depends on the heater's output, local electricity or LPG prices, how long it operates and how efficiently the heat reaches the people using the space.
Instead of looking only at the energy source, consider how much of the patio you genuinely need to heat. Targeting one dining or lounge zone with an infrared electric patio heater may be more efficient than heating a much larger area. Conversely, a gas heater may make sense when you need strong, flexible heating across an open entertaining space.
So, Gas or Electric?
Choose electric when you want discreet, targeted heating, low maintenance and convenient controls. It is particularly well suited to regular use in sheltered patios, verandahs and defined entertaining zones.
Choose gas when you value portability or need strong heat for a larger or more open outdoor area. Just remember that gas requires fuel management, ventilation and additional safety considerations.
For many homeowners, the deciding factor in gas vs. electric outdoor heaters is which is right for your patio. It will simply be how the space is used. Start with the seating area, consider wind exposure and available power or gas, then choose a heater that directs warmth where you actually need it.
Stratco offers both outdoor electric heaters and outdoor gas heaters, making it easier to compare options for your patio, pergola or verandah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overhead clearance depends on the heating fuel and model type:
- Electric Strip & Infrared Heaters: Wall- or ceiling-mounted electric units (such as the 2000W Heller Infrared Heater) require a minimum installation height of 1.8 metres from the floor and at least 500 mm clearance from ceilings, beams, or side walls.
- Freestanding Gas Area Heaters: Gas models generate rising exhaust heat and require a minimum overhead clearance of 0.9 to 1.5 metres from ceiling sheets, pergola rafters, or patio roof profiles. They also need at least 1 metre of clearance from side walls and combustible materials like outdoor blinds or curtains.
Gas heaters (LPG/Propane) require continuous natural ventilation to ensure safe fuel combustion and prevent carbon monoxide accumulation. As a general safety rule, gas patio heaters should only be operated in open-air spaces or covered areas where at least 25% to 50% of the total perimeter wall area is permanently open. For fully enclosed outdoor rooms, glass-sunrooms, or spaces with lowered weatherproof blinds, electric strip heaters are the safer alternative.
- Plug-in Models (up to 2400W): Units like the Heller 2000W Infrared Heater feature standard plug leads and can be connected directly to an existing outdoor-rated 10A power outlet.
- High-Output Strip Heaters (2400W–3200W+): Larger multi-element electric heaters draw higher amperage and often require a dedicated 15A socket or direct hardwiring into your home’s switchboard by a licensed electrician.
A standard 9kg gas cylinder holds approximately 450 MJ of energy. For a gas area heater operating at maximum output (36 MJ/hr, like the Stratco Area Heater), a single 9kg bottle provides roughly 12 to 12.5 hours of continuous heat. Adjusting the control dial to a medium setting can extend runtime to 15–18 hours.
- Sheltered Spaces (Patio/Verandah): Look for an Ingress Protection rating of at least IPX4 (splash-resistant) for heaters placed under solid roof structures where direct rain exposure is minimal.
- Exposed Spaces (Open Deck/Pergola): Choose units rated IP65 or higher (water-jet resistant) if the heater will be mounted on open walls or structures exposed to driving rain and wind.