Eric the Heater Guy
The honest answer: it depends on your layout, ceiling height, wind, and fuel. Here are the rules of thumb — then we'll do the real math for free.
Starting points — not a substitute for sizing to your actual patio.
In calm, covered areas. Drop to ~8 ft where wind hits. Higher mountings cover wider but weaker — model and count both change.
In calm conditions. Wind is the enemy of portable heat — exposed patios need more units, closer to seating.
Two patios with identical square footage can need different heater counts. Seating layout beats floor area every time.
Natural gas suits permanent wall/ceiling installs; propane suits portable and rental setups; electric infrared shines under covered patios.
Anyone who quotes a heater count without asking about ceiling height, wind exposure, and seating layout is guessing — and guesses cost you money in equipment you didn't need or cold spots you can't fix. The right count comes from the manufacturer's published specs applied to your patio.
The free Patio Heating Plan: send patio photos and rough dimensions. We return a heater count, recommended models, and placement — sized to your space, no obligation.
As a rule of thumb, 10–12 feet apart in calm, covered areas — closer (8 feet) in wind-exposed spots. Exact spacing comes from the manufacturer's published specs for the model and mounting height.
Roughly one per 100–150 square feet in calm conditions — fewer in wind. Layout matters more than square footage: heaters should cover seating, not empty floor.
Yes. Higher mountings spread heat wider but weaker — which changes both the model and the count. That's why we ask for ceiling height on every quote.
That's the free Patio Heating Plan — send patio photos and dimensions and we'll spec the heater count, models, and placement.
Eric the Heater Guy