Can You Use an Outdoor Heater Under a Covered Patio?

There are many things that you can use an outdoor heater to do. The most common is heating up your patio, but if you want to heat the whole house then it’s possible too with a few modifications.

The “outdoor heater for covered patio” is a tool that is used to keep warm in the winter. It can be used under a covered patio, as long as there is no rain or snow on the ground.

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Most people like an outdoor heater to be as comfortable outdoors as they are inside while relaxing on their patio. However, you must operate the outdoor heater securely in order to do so, which necessitates taking a few measures while working beneath a covered patio.  

You may use an outdoor heater beneath a covered patio, but be sure to follow the recommendations in your heater’s owner’s handbook to reduce the danger of fire. Limiting what you place near your heater and the material your patio cover is made of are examples of this. 

The idea of fire may deter you from using an outdoor heater, but the reality is that a lot of the things we use on a daily basis might start a fire if we aren’t cautious. So, let’s speak about how to keep your covered patio warm in a safe manner.

 

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Contents

How to Heat a Covered Patio with an Outdoor Heater

An outdoor heater may be utilized everywhere there is a need for heat outdoors. When utilizing an outdoor heater beneath a covered patio, however, you must be mindful about the items in the immediate vicinity of the heater. 

Items above it, such as an awning or umbrella, furniture, and decorations, should not be too near to it since they can overheat and melt or catch fire. The guidelines for most heaters contain particular dimensions for how far objects should be kept away from the warmer.

Make sure the area where you’re going to place an outdoor heater is open and ventilated. It should never be put in a closed-off location or indoors, since this poses a significant risk to anybody who is there. Bringing an outside heater within may significantly raise the danger of fire and make the air inside unbreathable.

Propane heaters are the most dangerous when used inside. Propane is very flammable and produces carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide as byproducts. When you utilize a propane outdoor heater indoors, these hazardous gases may enter your house, causing asphyxia or even death. 

Because there is less danger of inhaling these chemicals outdoors, these emissions are substantially greater for outdoor propane heaters. 

 

Manufacturers do not contemplate using an outside heater inside since it is not intended for that use. They do, however, keep their consumers’ safety in mind. Anti-tilt devices are built into most outdoor heaters, forcing them to switch off and cut off any gas supply. Clearances are also required for each heater, since anything combustible must be kept a specified distance away from the heater.

Some may claim that electric and infrared patio heaters are safe to use inside, however this is not the case. All outdoor heaters are designed for outside usage exclusively, and it is not suggested to use them for anything else.

Selecting an Outdoor Heater for a Covered Patio

One thing you should do before deciding on a heater is to measure the area that the heater will be in and that it will need to heat. This ensures you have the proper heater for your room, as well as the suitable size.

For safety reasons, most heaters need a certain distance between them and anything else around, so you’ll need to know how big the room is that you want to heat up. 

Heaters come in a variety of capacities. Some can heat a huge area, while others can only warm a small room or a spot. Make certain you get the appropriate size for your location. 

You should also consider your power sources, such as outlets or gas lines, to decide where your heater should be installed.

Invest in a portable heater rather of a mounted or permanently positioned heater if you know the warmer will need to be moved frequently depending on where people are sitting. If you don’t acquire a portable heater, you can find that the heater isn’t being utilized to its full potential since there are still frigid regions where people are present.

Because clearances are required for outdoor heaters, taller heaters, such as mushroom heaters, should be properly positioned. To determine if a mushroom heater or any other tall heater is a possibility for you, measure the gap between your roof or awning and the ground.

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Last but not least, any horseplay near a heater should be avoided at all costs. If you have children, keep them away from the heater at all times to prevent injuries that might result in third-degree burns.

Are there different types of heaters that are better for covered patios?

Portable, tabletop, hanging, and ceiling/wall-mounted propane and electric patio heaters are available in a variety of forms. If you’re looking for a heater for a covered patio, this gives you a lot of possibilities. 

Patio Heaters Powered by Propane

Propane heaters are simple to install and maintain, which is ideal for someone who already has a hectic schedule. Other advantages include:

  • There are both portable and permanent alternatives available.
  • Propane is a non-toxic gas.
  • If you want it put permanently, you may hire an expert to do it.
  • It does not need any additional piping or installation.
  • A wide selection of sizes is available.
  • The propane tank is usually neatly stored within the base of most portable heaters.
  • It is equipped with security measures.

Propane heaters are adaptable and practical, making life much simpler for you. You may make it permanent if you wish, but you’ll need a professional to install a gas line. Another feature that distinguishes propane heaters from the competition is the terrible price disparity. Propane heaters are the most costly of the three types of heaters: propane, electric, and natural gas.

Heaters that run on electricity

Heaters that run on electricity are cheaper than propane heaters. That is far from the only benefit though which you can see below:

  • It’s simple to set up, maintain, and clean.
  • Indoors and out, this product is safe to use.
  • The heat may be conveniently controlled using a remote or wall switch.
  • You may engage an expert to install it permanently.
  • Smart home integration and zone heating
  • There are no flames, harmful smoke, pollutants, or greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Heat may be transformed to 98 percent of energy.

Electric patio heaters are actually the easiest to set up! Some can use a standard 120-volt wall socket, but most produce a greater amount of heat at once meaning they have to require higher voltage. Proper wiring should be installed by a professional for the heaters that require a higher voltage. Here’s out list of the best Heaters that run on electricity on the market, be sure to check it out!

Heaters that run on natural gas

Heaters that run on natural gas are actually permanent heaters meaning that you won’t be able to move them around once they are installed. They are available in ceiling/wall-mounted, hanging, and ground-mounted styles.

Heaters that run on natural gas have one of the most appealing benefits which is the price. It is the most affordable fuel option meaning you will be paying less money to maintain a natural gas heater. Much like the other options, there are many other benefits that you can find below.

  • Instantly, a wide spectrum of heat is created.
  • Installation that is permanent
  • Cleans up after itself (natural gas)
  • When compared to portable propane heaters, it effectively warms a bigger area.
  • There is a wide selection of sizes available.
  • There’ll never be a shortage of gasoline for you.

Special plumbing and installation are required for natural gas patio heaters. You’ll also need to hire a professional to install a gas line if there isn’t already one available. An electrical supply and gas supply is required to power wall and ceiling mounted Heaters that run on natural gas. 

Infrared Heaters are a kind of heater that uses infrared light

Infrared Heaters are a kind of heater that uses infrared light, seen in all three types of heaters previously listed, are heaters that use technology similar to how the sun emits heat. Rather than heating the entire space, they target objects and people to heat them up.

Infrared propane heaters are most commonly used for outdoor jobsites where immediate spot heating is necessary. Much like infrared propane heaters, Infrared Heaters are a kind of heater that uses infrared light that run on natural gas are common for outdoor use. However, they are the most common in patios and decks at restaurants. It’s important to note that Infrared Heaters are a kind of heater that uses infrared light that run on natural gas and some infrared propane heaters need to be installed professionally.

A good perk for using Infrared Heaters are a kind of heater that uses infrared light is that it can be important to the quality of your health. Since the invisible infrared wavelength produced by these heaters heat up objects rather than the air, they are efficient at keeping the humidity levels consistent. They produce clean heat and some are made without the use of a blower which makes the air cleaner without any dust particles. They can even help minimize the production of mold, but that’s more commonly used for spaces like bathrooms rather than patios.

They are often used in yoga studios and saunas because of their capacity to promote blood circulation, as well as a variety of other health advantages such as immune systems, arthritis, and the removal of toxins from fat cells. This may, however, be used outside on a patio.

Heaters that are buried in the ground

Heaters that are buried in the ground are permanent patio heaters that use natural gas only. That means it never runs out of fuel which is useful in the long run! These are usually a bit larger in size as they stand taller than most besides the free-standing heaters.

One of the most commonly seen Heaters that are buried in the ground is a mushroom patio heater. There are many on the market, but the Hampton Bay Stainless Steel Patio Heater is a great option. It produces 48,000 BTUs, making it very powerful.

You may discover a lot about the heater, including the fact that it’s an infrared heater and the clearance necessary for usage, by clicking HERE to see the handbook for this exact heater. According to the rule, any flammable item, such as a canopy over your patio, should be at least 3 feet away. 

Heaters that are free-standing or portable

Ground-mounted patio heaters are quite similar to free-standing patio heaters, except that they are moveable. Propane gas is often used to fuel free-standing heaters, and the propane tank is normally buried in the base of the heater.

Portable patio heaters need at least 30 inches of room around and above them since they normally output 35,000 to 50,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units). This will ensure that the heater is kept at a safe distance from anything that may catch fire.

Just like the permanent Heaters that are buried in the ground, one of the most commonly seen free-standing heaters is the mushroom heater. These are different though as they are portable and the propane tank is stored in the base of the heater. If that interests you, the Hiland AZ Patio Heater is a great deal.

The clearance for this particular heater, according to the instructions, is 3 feet from the sides and 2 feet from the top. Even if your covered patio has a lower roof, this gives you a lot of versatility. Follow our advice on how to keep a patio heater from tipping over.

Heaters for Tabletop

This sort of heater is great for anybody concerned about not having enough space on the ground for a heater, as well as the needed clearance around the heater. You’d be giving up the heat dispersion that the bigger patio heaters provide.

Some Heaters for Tabletop look like lamps so you should be able to find one that goes along with your decorations rather than sticking out like a sore thumb.

Here are two options for Heaters for Tabletop that will provide a decent amount of heat without taking up any standing or sitting room. The first one is basically a mini mushroom heater. It is the Hiland AZ Tabletop Patio Heater. The second choice is a more decorative option. It is the Lasko Designer Series 1500-Watt Ceramic Electric Portable Heater.

The clearance for the Hiland AZ Tabletop Patio Heater is 3 feet from the sides and 2 feet from the top, according to the handbook. The handbook for the Lasko Ceramic Electric Portable Heater, on the other hand, specifies that the front clearance is 3 feet while the sides and rear clearance is 1 foot.

Heaters that are mounted on the ceiling or on the wall

All three fuel types are offered in ceiling/wall-mounted heaters. There are models that run on propane, electricity, or natural gas. These patio heaters may be put on the wall or ceiling, thus the name. This means it’s an excellent option if you don’t have enough room for a patio heater.

A permanent gas line must be installed between the leather and a large, residential, or commercial propane tank if you want a ceiling or wall-mounted propane patio heater. Of course, the gas line will need to be properly installed.

There are many options for Heaters that are mounted on the ceiling or on the wall considering the options for fuel. One option that seems like a great affordable option is the Comfort Zone 1,500-Watt Electric Infrared Ceiling Mount Portable Heater.

The handbook for this heater mentions that the front clearance is 3 feet and that people should keep away from the sides rather than providing a particular figure.

Heaters that hang from the ceiling

Heaters that hang from the ceiling are commonly grouped in with the ceiling-mounted heaters as they both get support from the ceiling. However, they are actually different in the sense that ceiling mounted heaters are more connected to the ceiling while Heaters that hang from the ceiling are just hanging from the ceiling. It’s common to compare hanging patio heaters to chandeliers as a lot of them are designed to resemble chandeliers.

A hanging heater is an excellent alternative for anybody looking for a chandelier-style warmer for their patio. Outdoor Lighting Pros has a wonderful hanging heater available, which you can see by clicking HERE. It’s similar to a chandelier or any other sort of hanging interior light. 

There doesn’t seem to be an online manual for this exact heater, thus there aren’t any precise clearance numbers. However, since this heater is suspended from the ceiling, it should be OK as long as nothing is too near to it. 

Fire Pits

You’re probably not the only one who is pleased to see something on the list. It would be wonderful to have a fire pit beneath a covered patio since it is multi-functional. It would not only provide heat to keep you and your visitors warm, but it would also create a camping ambiance that would make everyone happy. You could even create s’mores and hot dogs without going inside your kitchen!

That seems almost too wonderful to be true, don’t you think? You’re in luck since it’s correct! A fire pit may be placed under a covered patio. But, like with everything, there are a few things to keep in mind.

For starters, never utilize a wood-burning fire beneath a covered patio. If there isn’t enough ventilation, the wood’s poisonous smoke may rapidly pile up, making the toxic smoke-to-oxygen ratio deadly.

To begin with, most localities need pre-approval before any fire pit can be installed. Though this isn’t true everywhere, you should double-check before doing anything with a fire pit. You should also double-check that the placement, ventilation, flooring, and ceiling height all fulfill the fire pit’s criteria.

Though it may make you feel anxious to think about it, you should always keep a fire extinguisher on hand. There is still a risk that the flames may spread, even though the possibilities are slim. It’s preferable to be prepared and terrified than to be unprepared and face a burning patio.

This Kingsland gas fire pit would be an excellent investment if you’re looking for a gas fire pit. It is straightforward to build and run, according to the evaluations. Though there were few complaints, one reviewer said that it consumed a lot of propane and didn’t provide a lot of heat.

Any flammable objects must be kept at least 50 inches away from this gas fire pit. The heat might irreversibly harm anything in close proximity. If something gets near enough to catch fire, it might be quite deadly. To be entirely safe, you should read this guidebook, which covers the clearance and much more!

Can an Outdoor Heater Be Used Under a Covered Patio? You are now aware.

If you want to utilize an outdoor heater beneath a covered patio, you’ll need to do your homework and take measures since it’s critical to have a fire-safe patio. There are several solutions available to you, each with its own set of standards and restrictions. For safety and long-term usage, it’s essential to be aware of these standards and rules.

 

The “can you use a patio heater in a garage” is a question that has been asked before. The answer is, yes, it can be used in the garage.

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