Propane vs electric patio heater comes down to three things: how much area you need to warm, how strict your local rules are about open flame, and how much you want to spend running the heater. Propane delivers far more heat per dollar of equipment but requires fuel storage and outdoor venting. Electric — usually infrared — gives you plug-and-play warmth in lower BTU but cannot match propane's coverage outdoors.
This guide breaks down the real differences in BTU, fuel cost, install, safety, and use cases. By the end you will know which one fits your patio.
Quick Verdict
| Pick propane if… | Pick electric infrared if… |
|---|---|
| Open patio, 4+ people regularly | Covered porch, pergola, or sunroom |
| Cold-weather entertaining | Mild-shoulder-season use |
| You want one heater to warm a seating circle | You want directional warmth (sit in the beam) |
| HOA / lease allows propane | Apartment / rental bans flame |
| You don't mind tank storage and refills | You want plug-in with no tanks |
Heat Output: BTU and Coverage
This is the single biggest difference.
A typical residential propane patio heater outputs 40,000 BTU through a top-mounted reflector. The heat radiates downward in a 360-degree cone, giving roughly a 5-to-6-foot warmth radius from the post. BALI OUTDOORS standing heaters use this design with a 32-inch reflector and 40,000 BTU burner.
A typical electric infrared patio heater draws 1,500 watts, which converts to about 5,000 BTU equivalent. Heat is directional — infrared heats objects in the beam, not the air around it. Coverage is roughly 6-10 sq ft directly in front of or below the unit.
| Factor | Propane | Electric Infrared |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 30,000–48,000 BTU (mushroom standard) | 1,000–2,500W (~3,400–8,500 BTU equivalent) |
| Coverage | 5–6 ft radius (radial) | 6–10 sq ft directional |
| Heating method | Convective + radiant flame | Radiant infrared (heats objects, not air) |
| Time to feel warm | ~30 sec after ignition | Instant (infrared heats you, not the air) |
| Effective in wind | Reduced — loses heat with crosswind | More wind-resistant — infrared targets people directly |
The shorthand: propane warms the area; electric warms you. In an open patio, you want the area warm. Under a low pergola or covered porch, warming you directly is enough.
Running Cost
This is where the comparison flips depending on local utility rates and use patterns.
Propane
- 20-lb tank holds approximately 4.7 gallons of propane.
- At full output (40,000 BTU), a 20-lb tank lasts roughly 8-10 hours.
- Typical US tank refill: $20-$25.
- Working out to about $2.00-$3.00 per hour at full output.
Electric Infrared (1,500W example)
- 1.5 kWh consumed per hour at full output.
- At the US average residential rate of about $0.16 per kWh: $0.24 per hour.
- In high-rate areas (CA, HI, parts of Northeast at $0.30+/kWh): about $0.45 per hour.
- In low-rate areas (some Southern states ~$0.12/kWh): about $0.18 per hour.
| Cost Element | Propane | Electric Infrared |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel cost per hour | $2.00–$3.00 | $0.18–$0.45 |
| Equipment cost | $150–$500 | $120–$400 |
| Install cost | $0 (assemble) | $0–$300 (electrician for 220V) |
| Per-BTU running cost | ~$0.06–$0.075 per 1,000 BTU-hr | ~$0.05–$0.09 per 1,000 BTU equivalent-hr |
Per hour, electric is cheaper. Per BTU delivered to your patio, the gap closes — propane's far higher BTU output per session means you might need three electric units to match one propane heater's coverage. If your goal is heating one corner of a covered porch, electric wins on cost. If your goal is heating a 6-person open patio, propane wins on cost-per-coverage.
Install and Operation
| Step | Propane | Electric Infrared |
|---|---|---|
| Initial setup | Assemble unit, attach 20-lb tank, hook up regulator | Mount bracket, wire to outlet (110V) or panel (220V) |
| Per-session ignition | Push-and-turn ignition or electronic spark | Switch on / remote control |
| Refueling | Tank swap or refill at hardware store | None |
| Off-season storage | Disconnect tank, cover unit, store tank outdoors away from sunlight | Cover or detach if mounted |
| Mobility | Wheeled standing models move easily | Mounted units are fixed; portable plug-in units exist but rare |
Safety Differences
Both fuel types are safe when installed and used properly. The risk profiles are different.
Propane Risks
- CO accumulation in enclosed spaces — never run a propane patio heater indoors, in garages, or under sealed gazebos.
- Tip-over fire if the heater is knocked over with the burner lit. Auto-shut-off tilt switches are now standard on residential units (BALI standing heaters include this).
- Tank handling — transport upright, store outdoors, never leave in a hot car.
- Overhead clearance — need at least 36 in. above the reflector. Cannot be used under low awnings.
Electric Infrared Risks
- Electric shock if the unit is exposed to standing water or pressure-washed.
- Mounting failure — the unit must be hard-mounted to a structural beam, not a soffit board.
- Surface burns — the heating element grille reaches very high temperatures during use.
- Circuit overload if multiple high-wattage units share one circuit.
For propane outdoor handling and safety, our propane safety outdoors guide walks through tank storage, leak testing, and CO-related questions.
Where Each One Wins
| Patio Type | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Open backyard, no overhead structure | Propane standing | Higher BTU; uses overhead air freely |
| Covered porch with low ceiling | Electric infrared (mounted) | No CO concern; uses ceiling space |
| Pergola with crossbeams | Hanging electric infrared | No floor footprint, mounts to existing beams |
| Restaurant outdoor seating | Propane standing (multiple units) | Replaceable, portable, refuelable |
| Apartment / rental balcony | Electric (most leases ban gas) | No flame, no fuel storage |
| Single-zone use (one chair) | Electric infrared | Directional warmth perfect for spot heating |
| Cold-climate full season | Propane | BTU output handles deep cold electric cannot match |
| HOA bans propane | Electric | Most HOAs allow electric where they ban gas |
| HOA bans electric mods | Propane | Standing propane needs no electrical work |
Common Questions
Can I use a propane heater on a covered porch?
Only if the porch has at least 36 inches of overhead clearance and adequate cross-ventilation. Most building codes prohibit propane heaters in fully enclosed spaces. If your porch is screened on three sides with no roof openings, treat it as enclosed and switch to electric.
Is electric infrared as warm as propane?
Per square foot of coverage, no. A single 1,500W electric infrared puts out roughly one-eighth the heat of a 40,000 BTU propane heater. For one person seated directly in the beam, electric infrared can feel just as warm because it heats you directly rather than the air around you.
Which has higher resale value?
Propane mushroom heaters depreciate slowly because the design has not changed in 20 years and parts are interchangeable. Electric infrared depreciates faster — newer models add features (smart controls, wider beams) that make older units feel dated quickly.
What if I want both?
Layered heating works. A propane standing heater for group warmth in the open part of the patio, plus an electric infrared mounted under the covered section, gives you full-patio coverage in any weather. This is the standard setup for restaurants and a smart pattern for residential patios with mixed open and covered zones.
BALI OUTDOORS Picks
BALI OUTDOORS makes propane patio heaters in standing mushroom, glass-tube, and tabletop form factors. We do not currently produce electric infrared models. If you decide propane is right for your patio:
- 32-inch standing mushroom propane (40,000 BTU, $159.99) — the best-value option in our line.
- 20-inch glass-tube standing propane — for buyers prioritizing visible flame aesthetics.
- Portable tabletop propane — for bistro and small-balcony setups, or to layer with a standing heater.
See the patio heater collection. If electric is the right call for your space, look at established infrared brands like Bromic, Solaira, Heat Storm, or Dr. Infrared.
Bottom Line
For most open-patio residential use, propane wins on heat output and cost-per-coverage. For covered porches, pergolas, or apartment situations where flame is not allowed, electric infrared wins on safety and convenience. Many homes benefit from one of each — propane for open-yard entertaining, electric infrared for the covered seating zone — rather than trying to force one fuel type to do everything.
