You should always consider the ongoing maintenance costs associated with propane- and gas-powered heaters before having one installed. Some models require regular and costly service visits, and malfunctions will almost always cost you a ton of money to fix. But electric heaters are incredibly reliable and don’t require any type of scheduled maintenance plan. This dependability is part of the reason many people simply feel more comfortable installing an electric model.

Gas and propane patio heaters rely on a very inefficient heating method. Called convective heating, this entails warming air that is then blown around to warm the space. But electric heaters rely on radiant rather than convective heat. This means that instead of wasting energy heating the air, electric heaters use infrared light to heat you, directly. This helps make electric patio heaters more than 90% efficient, thereby saving you a ton of money while also helping protect the planet.

Electric patio heaters are easier to set up and operate than gas- or propane-powered alternatives are. Propane and natural gas heaters not only require specialized connectors and unsightly pipes or hoses to work, but they can also be finicky and difficult to fire up at times. You’ll also have to pay for the installation of fuel lines to use a natural gas model or buy new propane tanks as you burn through the fuel. But with an electric heater, you simply flip a switch or tap a button on your phone to enjoy warmth and comfort.

You wouldn’t light a fire on your porch to keep you warm, but that’s exactly what propane and natural gas heaters use to generate heat. This presents plainly obvious safety hazards, and because most propane and gas heaters are placed on the ground, it can also lead to serious injuries for your family (particularly children). But electric heaters use enclosed heating elements that are little more than fancy light bulbs, and they’re installed on your porch ceiling, which helps keep your loved ones out of harm’s way.

Most propane or natural gas heaters are eyesores. They stick out, compromise the style of your décor, and often feature ugly connections. But professionally installed electric patio heaters will blend seamlessly into your space. Best of all, because we hardwire them to your home’s existing electrical system, you don’t have to worry about visible extension cords. You’ll likely stop noticing your new patio heater in a few days, and your guests may not even see them in the first place.

By their very nature, gas and propane heaters are almost always free-standing units, which means you’ll have to find space for them – space that could be better used for furniture or other items. But electric heaters are attached to your patio’s ceiling, which keeps them completely out of the way. This not only helps free up space you can use in other ways, but it also helps eliminate trip hazards and safety issues.

You probably install carbon monoxide detectors in your home to ensure your family doesn’t breathe in potentially deadly gasses. But did you know that gas- and propane-powered heaters produce carbon monoxide as well as a litany of other toxic pollutants? That’s why some of these units even require you to install special ventilation systems. Electric heaters, on the other hand, don’t release toxic pollutants or endanger your family in this way at all.

You likely already know that some things get more expensive in the winter, but you may not have considered that your actual house gets more expensive too -- at least in terms of bang-for-your-mortgage-buck. Your porch may not count toward the overall square footage of your home, but you still pay for it all year long, whether you can use it or not But with an electric heater installed on your porch, you’ll continue to be able to use your entire house all year long.