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 finnicky 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.