Shopping for a heater for outdoor patio use throws up more options than most people expect. Gas heaters, standard electric heaters, and infrared radiant heaters all promise to keep your outdoor space usable through the cooler months. They work in genuinely different ways, and that difference matters for both how well they heat and what they cost to run.
Here is an honest comparison of all three types, how each one actually performs, and which is worth your money depending on your setup and budget.
The Single Biggest Factor in Outdoor Heater Performance
Outdoors, heating the surrounding air is largely a losing battle. Wind and open space disperse warmed air almost as fast as it is produced. The heaters that work well outside are those that deliver warmth directly to people and surfaces rather than depending on air circulation. This distinction separates the types that genuinely hold up in real conditions from those that disappoint despite adequate wattage ratings.
How Each Heater Type Actually Works
Gas Heaters
Burn LPG or natural gas to heat a ceramic element or, in older mushroom-style units, the air directly around a flame. Heat spreads through a mix of radiant warmth and convection, so some of it does warm the surrounding air rather than only warming objects and people directly in range.
Standard Electric Heaters
Use a heating element to warm the surrounding air, relying on convection to circulate that warmth. Outdoors, this approach struggles significantly. Any breeze at all disperses warmed air almost as fast as it is produced, leaving the space feeling underwhelming regardless of wattage.
Infrared (Radiant) Heaters
Emit radiant heat that directly warms people, furniture, and surfaces in their path, similar to how sunlight feels warm even on a cold day. Because they do not rely on air circulation, they are significantly more effective outdoors and hold up reasonably well even with some wind exposure.
💡 This Distinction Is Everything Outdoors
The difference between convective and radiant heating is the single biggest factor in how well any outdoor heater actually performs once it is mounted on a real patio rather than demonstrated in a showroom. A lower-wattage infrared unit in a reasonable position will typically outperform a higher-wattage convection unit in the same space.
Gas Patio Heaters: Strong Output, Ongoing Costs
Gas heaters, particularly the classic freestanding mushroom-style units, have been an outdoor heating staple for years. They offer some genuine advantages, alongside limitations that matter for most residential patio setups.
✓ Strengths
- High heat output. Many gas patio heaters produce well over 40,000 BTU, giving strong warmth across a wider area than many electric alternatives.
- No dependence on nearby power outlets. A gas bottle and a lighter are all you need, which makes these heaters genuinely portable around a garden or event space.
- Fast heat-up time, since combustion heat reaches full output almost immediately.
✗ Drawbacks
- Ongoing fuel costs. Refilling or exchanging LPG bottles is a recurring expense that does not appear in the sticker price, and costs fluctuate with fuel prices.
- Storage and safety considerations. Gas bottles require safe storage, and open-flame burners carry fire risk considerations that electric alternatives avoid entirely.
- Not suited to covered or enclosed patios. Ventilation requirements around open-flame gas heaters make them a poor fit for smaller, more enclosed outdoor spaces.
- Ongoing maintenance, including checking gas lines, connections, and the burner assembly for wear over time.
When Gas Makes Sense
Gas heaters tend to make the most sense for larger, open outdoor areas where you need strong output and do not want to rely on nearby electrical access. Think large backyard gatherings or event spaces rather than a typical suburban covered patio.
Standard Electric Heaters: Convenient but Often Underwhelming Outdoors
Standard electric heaters, the kind built around convection rather than radiant heat, are common indoors but tend to disappoint when used outdoors.
✓ Strengths
- Simple to install and operate, typically requiring only a standard power outlet.
- No fuel costs or bottle storage to manage.
- Generally lower upfront cost compared to gas or dedicated infrared units.
✗ Drawbacks
- Wind and open air severely limit effectiveness. Any airflow at all disperses warmed air quickly, which is a near-constant issue outdoors.
- Coverage area tends to be small compared to radiant alternatives at a similar wattage.
- Often feels like it is "almost working" rather than genuinely heating a space, because the warmth produced dissipates so quickly in open conditions.
⚠ The Weakest Performer for Open Outdoor Use
For a genuinely open outdoor patio, a standard convection-style electric heater is typically the weakest of the three types regardless of price. If you already have one and it feels inadequate, the issue is almost certainly the heating technology rather than the wattage.
Infrared Electric Heaters: The Practical Middle Ground
Infrared, or radiant, electric heaters combine the simplicity of electric power with a heating method actually suited to outdoor conditions. For most standard residential patios, alfresco areas, and covered outdoor spaces, they offer the best balance of genuine performance, safety, and manageable running costs.
✓ Strengths
- Genuinely effective outdoors, since radiant heat warms people and surfaces directly rather than depending on air circulation.
- No fuel costs, gas bottles, or open flame, making them simpler and safer to run long-term than gas alternatives.
- Lower running costs than most people expect, particularly when used with a timer or multiple heat settings rather than running at full output constantly.
- Fast warm-up, similar to gas, since radiant elements reach effective temperature quickly.
- Weather-rated models handle Australian outdoor conditions well, with IP-rated units built to withstand rain, humidity, and temperature swings.
✗ Drawbacks
- Requires access to power, so placement is somewhat limited by where outlets or wiring are available.
- Performance still benefits from good positioning, since even radiant heat is affected by strong, direct wind exposure.
Two Infrared Options Worth Considering
If you are leaning toward infrared for your outdoor patio, here is how two current options compare depending on your space.
Ventair Sunburst Mini 2000W
Suited to smaller, covered patios, balconies, and alfresco dining spaces. Rated to instantly warm areas up to 12 square metres with a low-glare tungsten infrared tube, and compact enough to mount close to the seating zone for the most effective warmth delivery.
- Effective coverage up to 12 m²
- Low-glare tungsten infrared tube
- IP65 weather rating
- Wall or ceiling mount with slimline profile
- Best for: small covered patios, balconies, alfresco dining
Ventair Solstice Infrared Outdoor Heater
Built for more extensive coverage across bigger entertaining areas or semi-exposed patios. Three adjustable heat settings at 1,200W, 1,600W, and 2,000W are controlled by remote, with a reflector design engineered to spread warmth across a wider footprint than a single compact unit can provide.
- Three heat settings: 1,200W / 1,600W / 2,000W via remote
- Advanced reflector for wide heat distribution
- IP55 weather rating
- Wall or ceiling mount flexibility
- Best for: larger patios, open entertaining areas, semi-exposed spaces
Both avoid the ongoing fuel costs and storage hassle of gas, while still delivering the kind of direct, radiant warmth that actually holds up in real outdoor conditions.
Comparing the Real Costs
When people ask which heater for outdoor patio use is cheapest, they are often only thinking about the upfront price. The full cost picture looks different once you factor in ongoing running costs and real-world performance.
| Factor | Gas Heater | Standard Electric | Infrared Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Moderate | Lower | Moderate |
| Ongoing fuel cost | High (LPG bottle refills) | Low per hour | Low to moderate |
| Effective outdoors | Yes, in open areas | Poor, warmth disperses rapidly | Yes, in most conditions |
| Wind resistance | Moderate | Very poor | Good |
| Covered patio safe | Only with adequate ventilation | Yes | Yes |
| Open flame risk | Yes | No | No |
| Fuel/bottle storage | Required | Not required | Not required |
| Overall value for residential patio | Best for large open areas | Poor for outdoor use | Best for most setups |
When you weigh genuine performance against total cost over a season rather than just the sticker price, infrared electric heaters tend to offer the strongest overall value for most standard outdoor patio setups. Standard electric convection heaters often end up costing more in practice, because poor outdoor performance means running them longer or supplementing them with another heat source.
Ready to Warm Up Your Outdoor Space Without Ongoing Gas Costs?
Choosing the right heater type for your patio comes down to understanding how each one actually works outdoors, not just what the specification sheet says. For most residential setups, infrared electric heaters deliver the best combination of real-world performance, manageable running costs, and installation simplicity.
Vent Experts Australia, specialist supplier of outdoor patio heaters for Australian residential and commercial spaces, with the team available to help you find the right fit for your space and budget.
Browse the full range of outdoor heaters at ventexperts.com.au, or reach out to the team for advice on the right setup for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Infrared and radiant heaters, whether gas or electric-powered, hold up considerably better in wind than standard convection-style electric heaters. Because they warm people and surfaces directly rather than relying on air circulation, wind has less impact on the felt warmth they deliver. Standard convection heaters lose their output almost immediately in any breeze, making them a poor choice for most Australian outdoor conditions.
Not usually. While gas heaters can have a reasonable upfront cost, ongoing LPG bottle refills typically make them more expensive to run over a full cooler season compared to an efficient infrared electric heater on time-controlled settings. The comparison shifts if natural gas is available rather than LPG, since mains gas avoids the bottle exchange cost, but the installation cost of a gas line needs to be factored in alongside ongoing running costs.
Generally, this is not recommended without proper ventilation. Open-flame gas heaters need adequate airflow to operate safely, and produce combustion gases that accumulate in enclosed spaces. Electric infrared heaters do not carry this restriction, produce no combustion gases, and are a better fit for covered or partially enclosed outdoor spaces. If you are considering a gas heater for a roofed patio, confirm the ventilation requirements with a licensed installer before proceeding.
Yes. Since infrared heaters warm objects and people directly rather than the surrounding air, they perform significantly better outdoors than standard convection-style electric heaters and hold up reasonably well even with some wind exposure. IP-rated models designed for outdoor installation are built to handle Australian outdoor conditions including rain, humidity, and temperature variation. Good positioning, such as mounting under solid overhead cover and with the back to the prevailing wind, improves performance further.
It depends on the space. Smaller, covered areas up to around 12 square metres suit a compact unit like the Ventair Sunburst Mini 2000W. Larger or more open patios generally need a heater with wider coverage and adjustable output, such as the Ventair Solstice with its three heat settings and wide reflector design. Wind exposure and ceiling height also affect how much effective warmth reaches the occupied zone, so it is worth factoring those in alongside raw floor area when sizing up.