Electric patio heater vs. gas heater – which is cheaper?

A cozy evening outdoors isn't complete without a good patio heater . But which one should you choose: an electric patio heater or a gas one ? The difference lies not only in ease of use, but also in the cost. In this article, we explain the most affordable and practical choice.

Cost per hour

The consumption of a patio heater depends on the type and power.

• Electric patio heater 2000W → average €0.55 per hour (depending on your energy rate).

• Gas patio heater → average €1.50 per hour when using propane gas.

Conclusion: an electric heater canopy is often more economical with regular use, while a gas heater is mainly useful for occasional, short moments on an open terrace.

Heat output

• Electric → direct radiant heat, ideal under a heater canopy , veranda or balcony.

• Gas → more ambient heat, powerful for large, open spaces.

👉 Popular electric model: the Eurom Golden 2000 Shadow patio heater .
👉 For gas, you often choose a standing patio heater with a large gas bottle.

Ease of use

• Electric : heat at the touch of a button, often with remote control or even app control (such as the smart wall-mounted heater 2500W Heatix patio heater ).

• Gas : Powerful, but you need to replace bottles and have a safe place to store them.

Safety and maintenance

• Electric : safe, low maintenance, ideal for carports and verandas.

• Gas : requires more ventilation and is less suitable for small spaces such as a balcony.

Conclusion

An electric patio heater is generally cheaper, safer, and easier to use. Only for very large, open patios might a gas heater be the better option.

View the complete range of patio heaters here from top brands such as Eurom , Heatix and Sunred .