Gas patio heater or electric infrared heater: which is best?

The right gas patio heater or electric infrared heater can keep dinner going as the evening air cools. The choice affects how the warmth feels, what the evening costs and how much work is involved before the next use.

Where electricity is available, a directional electric infrared heater is often a practical choice: it delivers warmth where you are sitting, avoids the need to change gas bottles and lets you adjust the power to suit the evening. Gas has a clear advantage where there is no electricity or where the heater needs to be moved between temporary locations.

Here, we compare the options for patios, terraces and outdoor dining areas. Opranic develops electric infrared heaters, and our models provide examples. We show the costs with clear assumptions so you can work out what they mean for your own use.

Choose a heater to suit how you use your patio

How does a gas patio heater compare with an electric infrared heater?

Both gas patio heaters and electric infrared heaters can warm people through infrared radiation. The difference depends in part on how each heater is designed, how it distributes radiant heat and how much warmth is carried away by the air.

An umbrella-style gas patio heater spreads heat around the unit. This can suit an open area with people seated on several sides. If everyone is gathered around a table beside a wall, some of that heat may reach areas where it is not needed.

A directional electric infrared heater can be mounted and angled towards the seating area. This makes it particularly useful in a defined outdoor space where you want warmth close to people while keeping walkways clear.

Wind does not blow infrared radiation away. It does cool your body and the surfaces around you, so good wind protection makes a significant difference to comfort, even with infrared heating.

Positioning is therefore part of the heating solution. Distance, angle and an unobstructed line of sight between the heater and the seating area all affect the result. A high table or piece of furniture can block the heat, and guests seated on different sides of a large table may need warmth from different directions.

How infrared heating works

Why a 13 kW gas patio heater cannot be compared directly with a 2.3 kW electric heater

Power indicates how quickly a heater uses energy. On its own, it does not tell you how warm you will feel in a particular seat.

A 13 kW gas patio heater and a 2.3 kW electric infrared heater differ in energy consumption, design and heat distribution. Lower electrical power may be enough to warm a focused seating area, but that does not mean a single electric heater will always replace a gas heater across the same area.

Compare the options where people will actually be sitting. On a large or exposed patio, you need to plan the number and placement of heaters before running costs can provide a useful basis for your decision.

Gas patio heater or electric infrared heater: hourly running costs

How to calculate:

Electric heater: power in kW × electricity price in €/kWh = cost per hour.
Gas patio heater: consumption in kg/h × gas price in €/kg = cost per hour.

For electricity, use the cost of an additional kWh, including variable network charges, tax and VAT. Fixed monthly charges that you already pay are not normally added to every hour of heater use. If your tariff includes a capacity charge, using several appliances at the same time may also affect the cost.

For gas, divide the price of the refill by the number of kilograms. The cost of buying the cylinder is part of the initial purchase and should not be counted again with each refill.

A worked example in euros

We assume an electricity price of €0.38/kWh and a gas price of €2.55/kg including VAT. These are chosen calculation assumptions, rather than current market averages. Replace them with the rates on your electricity tariff and the price of a refill in your area.

We compare the Opranic S50R at 1,800 W with the Pro V70R at 2,300 W, both at their highest setting. The S50R is also available in a 2,300 W version. At the same power setting and electricity price, it and the S70R have the same running cost as the Pro V70R. The gas example assumes a consumption rate of 0.94 kg/h.

The subsequent gas cost calculations use the hourly cost rounded to €2.40.

After 100 hours of use, the 1,800 W S50R costs €68.40 in electricity, which is €171.60 less than the running cost in the gas example. For the Pro V70R, the difference is €152.60. The table compares the running cost of one heater for each option. It does not establish that the heaters provide the same level of comfort or heat the same area. For each heater, selecting a lower power setting or reducing the running time lowers electricity or gas consumption.

The 1,800 W S50R has five power settings, from 720 to 1,800 W. At its lowest setting, the running cost is €0.27/h at the same electricity price of €0.38/kWh. Choose the setting to match the heat needed in your seating area.

For comparison, the Pro V70R costs €0.69/h at an electricity price of €0.30/kWh and €1.04/h at €0.45/kWh, still at maximum power. This makes it easy to see how your own electricity price affects the result.

The prices and gas consumption above are chosen calculation assumptions. Technical details for a 13 kW gas patio heater are available from Jula, Anslut, article 014465.
Jula: technical details for the 13 kW model

What does it cost to buy and own a heater?

Compare complete, ready-to-use systems. With a gas patio heater, you may need to buy the heater, cylinder, regulator and hose separately. If you already have a compatible cylinder and equipment, the initial cost will be lower.

For electric infrared heating, factor in the heater, any mounting and the electrical installation. An existing socket is an advantage, but the connection must be rated for the load and suitable for its location.

If you want to move the heater easily between seating areas, the Opranic S50R is a practical choice. It is lighter and shorter than the S70R, and is also more attractively priced. It is available in 1,800 W and 2,300 W versions, both with a remote control, five heat settings and a timer. No wall mounting is needed. Visit the product page for current pricing and delivery information.

If an electric solution costs, for example, €200 more to buy and install, and provides the same desired level of comfort at the running costs shown in the table, the additional cost is recovered through running-cost savings after around 131 hours of use:

€200 ÷ (€2.40 − €0.87/h) ≈ 131 hours.

This is one way to calculate the payback period. The actual time depends on purchase prices, the number of heaters, heat settings and how often you use them. If you are replacing a working gas patio heater, include the full cost of the new system in your calculation.

Safety and everyday care for gas patio heaters and electric infrared heaters

With an electric infrared heater, you avoid combustion and gas bottles beside the seating area. The heater still gets hot, so position it at the distances from people and materials specified in the manual.

For the Pro V70R and S70R, the instructions specify one heater per electrical circuit and an outdoor socket protected by an RCD. Make sure the cable reaches the socket without crossing a walkway. Follow the instructions for cleaning and pre-season checks, too.

Gas patio heaters require careful handling of the bottle, hose and regulator, as well as a leak check whenever you change the bottle. Standard outdoor models should not be used in enclosed conservatories or tents. Räddningstjänsten Skåne Nordväst also explains what restaurants need to consider regarding placement, storage and any permits:
Fire and rescue service guidance on patio heaters

Environment: heat the areas in use

An electric infrared heater produces no combustion emissions on your patio. Emissions from electricity generation depend on how the electricity is produced. Conventional fossil LPG produces carbon dioxide when burned in a gas patio heater.

Whatever the energy source, using heat selectively and only when needed helps reduce energy use. Position the heater carefully, lower the power when less heat is enough, and switch it off when the seating area is empty. A windbreak can also improve comfort.

Which Opranic model is right for you as an alternative to a gas patio heater?

Choose the S50R if you want a lightweight, freestanding infrared heater that is easy to carry between seating areas. The Pro V70R is suited to wall or ceiling mounting. The S70R is taller and more substantial, with a premium construction and a five-year warranty.

Opranic S50R: easy to carry wherever you want the warmth

If you want to move the warmth easily from the dining table to a lounge chair, we recommend the S50R. It is lower than the S70R and weighs just 4.5 or 4.7 kg, depending on the model. Its low weight makes it easy to carry with one hand and move when you change seats. It also comes at a more attractive price than the S70R. Choose the 1,800 W model for a smaller seating area, or the 2,300 W model when you need more maximum power.

You get IR-X Carbon Black™, five heat settings, a remote control and a timer that can be set from 1 to 9 hours. The aluminium housing, cast-iron base, IP65 rating and electronic tip-over protection make it a practical choice for a balcony or terrace.

Maximum power1,800 W or 2,300 W

Heat settings5 per model

Running cost at €0.38/kWh€0.68 or €0.87/h at maximum power

IP ratingIP65

Timer1-9 hours

Remote controlIncluded

Weight4.5 / 4.7 kg, depending on the model

WarrantyTwo-year warranty

Switch off the heater, unplug it and let it cool before moving it. Follow the positioning instructions and safety clearances in the manual.

View the S50R and choose a power level

For restaurants with central switching, Opranic also offers the Pro V70, a separate model with a fixed power output of 1,800 W. It has no remote control and should not be confused with the Pro V70R.

Opranic has been working with infrared heating since 2009. The S50R, Pro V70R and S70R use IR-X Carbon Black™ with the JAS reflector to direct warmth towards the seating area. The S50R has a two-year warranty. The five-year warranty for the Pro V70R and S70R covers the heater and electronics in accordance with the terms; the heating tube is covered for two years. See the manual for full terms.

Further reading: Opranic’s guide to infrared heater reviews

Frequently asked questions about gas patio heaters and electric infrared heaters

Is infrared heating cheaper than gas?

In our worked example, the energy cost is lower for the electric heater. Before buying, you should also compare installation costs, the number of heaters required and the comfort each option provides in the areas you plan to use.

How long does a gas bottle last?

Divide the amount of gas by the heater’s consumption. A 10 kg bottle provides around 10.6 hours of operation at 0.94 kg/h. It lasts longer at a lower heat setting.

Do infrared heaters work in windy conditions?

Yes. The radiant heat reaches people and surfaces even when the air is moving. Wind also makes you feel colder, so a sheltered position will be more comfortable than a fully exposed, windy patio.

Can I use a patio heater in a conservatory?

A fully enclosed conservatory should be treated as an indoor environment. Choose a heater and controls designed for that setting, and follow the instruction manual. A standard gas-powered outdoor heater is not suitable for an enclosed conservatory.