When you’re hanging out on your outdoor patio, you want to be comfortable. After all, if you’re not comfortable, then neither are your guests.

If you live in a cold climate, you might have a space heater or two. They’ve worked great indoors, but you wonder: can a space heater be used outdoors?

Most space heaters are small, portable and for indoor use only. They won’t be able to heat large areas or withstand harsh weather conditions. You can use an indoor space heater on a covered patio, but most space heaters will only be big enough for personal use.

You can find some space heaters for outdoor use. They are larger than indoor space heaters and feature durable material that can handle the weather.

In patios that are about 10 x 10 or larger, you might see standalone patio heaters rather than space heaters. These patio heaters have a reservoir at the bottom to keep them from tipping over in the wind.

The heat source is at the top covered by a metal grate. On large patios, you might see long narrow heaters lined along the baseboards, mounted on the wall, or along the ceiling.

Check out the video below to learn about what type of patio heater is best for your outdoor space. It features an example of larger electric patio heaters. He uses quite a few, but the number of heaters is up to your personal preference. You can always turn a few off. But it’s much harder to get more heat when you only have one or two heaters.

Most space heaters are electric, so you’ll need an outlet to power them. They’re a little more expensive to run than a natural gas heater but much more practical. Propane can be quite expensive over time because you have to refill the gas tanks consistently.

Electric space heaters are either convection or infrared, sometimes called radiant. Infrared heaters are the best option to keep you and your guests warm. Rather than heat up the air in your patio, infrared heaters heat objects. So you will feel much warmer faster with an infrared heater compared to a convection heater.

Convection heaters heat the surrounding air. While this method works, it takes longer to heat the entire patio. You and your guests won’t feel as warm until the heaters have been on for several minutes.

In open patios, since heat rises, most of it dissipates up and out of your patio area. So you’re losing out on a lot of heat that could be making you warmer. Since infrared heaters warm objects, most of the heat stays inside your patio area.

Is infrared heat better than convection heat?

Infrared is more efficient than convection. Infrared heats objects, so most of the heat is absorbed by furniture and people in your room or patio. It doesn’t escape outside the patio area. So you’ll save more money with an infrared heater than a convection heater too.

Convection heaters heat air and that heated air can easily escape by rising up and out of your patio. That being said, convection heaters can be efficient in enclosed patios or indoors.

Can you use an indoor electric space heater outside?

Most indoor electric space heaters are small. They won’t have enough power to heat an outdoor patio for much time. Also, depending on the material of your space heater, it may be vulnerable to the elements. So an indoor space heater is best saved for indoor use. But you might be able to use it under a covered patio for personal use.

To heat a large patio, consider a standalone patio heater like this one from Amazon.

Can space heaters cause fires?

Yes, despite their size, space heaters can get hot. Do not leave them running unattended. Also, make sure all combustible materials are five feet away. That includes your clothes. So, keep the space heater about five feet away from you when it’s running.

Can space heaters be left unattended?

No, it is a fire hazard to leave a space heater unattended. Always unplug the space heater when you leave the area for any period of time. It’s easy to forget that they are running which can be disastrous.

Can space heaters produce carbon monoxide?

Most space heaters are electric, so they won’t produce any carbon monoxide. If you have a propane or natural gas space heater, it will produce trace amounts of carbon monoxide. These types of space heaters are not at all common, though. If you do have one, open a window or door so you have some ventilation to keep harmful contaminants out.

Are space heaters safe?

Yes, space heaters are safe. Just make sure all combustible materials are about five feet away from the heater when in use. If you are leaving the room, unplug the space heater.

How many patio heaters do I need?

That depends on the type of patio heater and its BTUs or Watts. Space heaters typically only heat a small room. Standard patio heaters can heat most outdoor patios. Most manufacturers will include info on how much square footage the patio heater covers. 

Can you use a patio heater under a covered patio?

You can use a patio heater under most covered patios, as long as the ceiling is at least eight feet tall. Make sure to keep the patio heater away from combustibles and don’t leave it on overnight.

That wraps up our post ‘Can a space heater be used outdoors?’ Most space heaters are for indoor use only. So, make sure the manufacturer specifies the heater can be used outdoors. If you plan to have guests over often, you might want a larger patio heater with more power.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about patio heaters at the links below!

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