You're heating a covered patio, a pergola with a roof, or a restaurant terrace and you've landed on Bromic. Bromic makes several formats, and the wrong one will either underheat the space or cost you an electrician you didn't budget for. This guide gets you to the right model, the right count, and the right list of parts before you order.
The Short Answer
| Your situation | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Covered patio or pergola with a roof, no gas line | Platinum Smart-Heat Electric (2300W / 3400W / 4500W) | Hardwired, ultra-slim, no flame or fumes. Wall, ceiling or recessed. |
| Covered patio or terrace with gas service, open to at least 25% of the wall area | Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas (300 / 500) | 26,000 or 43,000 BTU/hr gas input, matte black mesh front, pivot-arm bracket. |
| Same as above, with a ceramic-glass front | Platinum Smart-Heat Gas (300 / 500) | 23,600 or 39,800 BTU/hr gas input, ceramic-glass front. |
| Outdoor dining where you want a light fixture over the table | Eclipse Smart-Heat Pendant (2900W) | Hangs like a pendant light, heats the zone beneath it, integrated dimmable LED. |
| Nothing to mount to, or seating that moves | Eclipse Freestanding Electric (240 V plug-in, under cover) or Tungsten Freestanding Gas (propane or natural gas, open air) | Wheeled bases, no mounting. |
Not sure which row you're in? Call or text (814) 440-4817 and we'll check the layout against Bromic's manuals.
The Rule That Decides Placement: Rain
Every Bromic manual we carry says to protect the heater from rain. The mounted gas heaters' manuals say it plainly: the appliance "MUST be protected from rain" and should be installed under a protective cover, and not in open locations subject to rain. The electric manuals say not to let the heater be directly exposed to rain or water. So plan any mounted Bromic under a roof, canopy or deep overhang. The only portable gas model, the Tungsten Freestanding, is for open-air use and should be protected from rain when not in use.
Step 1: Gas or Electric? Your Site Decides
Choose gas if you have a natural gas line nearby or you're comfortable with propane, and the covered space has natural ventilation. Bromic's mounted gas heaters are outdoor-only; in a space with a roof and more than two walls, the manuals require at least 25% of the total wall area to be completely open. They still need a 110 V outlet for ignition and controls, and a qualified gas installer. The manuals rate them to function in winds up to 10 mph.
Choose electric if there's no gas service, if the space is more enclosed, or if you'd rather not manage a fuel supply. Every Bromic electric heater except the Eclipse Freestanding is hardwired on its own dedicated circuit by a licensed electrician. The Platinum Electric is sold in 220–240 V part numbers and separate 208 V part numbers — confirm your service first. Bromic's warranty is 3 years on the Platinum Electric and Eclipse, 2 years on the mounted gas heaters (excluding hoses and igniters).
We sell both. The full gas-vs-electric comparison is here →
Step 2: Size It — Coverage, Mounting Height and Count
Bromic publishes a heat-area figure for every model. Use it as the starting point, not the finish line.
| Model | Output / input | Bromic heat area | Minimum mounting height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum Electric 2300W | 2300 W | 65 sq ft | 72" wall / 96" ceiling |
| Platinum Electric 3400W | 3400 W | 108 sq ft | 72" wall / 96" ceiling |
| Platinum Electric 4500W | 4500 W | 143 sq ft | 72" wall / 96" ceiling |
| Eclipse Pendant | 2900 W | 121 sq ft | Heater head 8 ft above the floor |
| Eclipse Freestanding | 2900 W | 121 sq ft | 79" minimum floor clearance (cut sheet) |
| Tungsten Gas 300 / Platinum Gas 300 | 26,000 / 23,600 BTU/hr input | 160 sq ft | 8 ft from the floor |
| Tungsten Gas 500 / Platinum Gas 500 | 43,000 / 39,800 BTU/hr input | 215 sq ft | 8 ft from the floor |
| Tungsten Freestanding Gas | Bromic's publications differ; call us for the figure | Bromic's publications differ; call us for the figure | Overhead clearance per the manual (see product page) |
How to use the table. Measure the area where people actually sit — not the whole patio. A 12 × 16 ft dining zone is roughly 190 sq ft. On paper that's one 500-series gas heater; in practice a single heater at one end can leave the far end of the table cool, so two smaller units spaced along the space often heat more evenly.
Ceiling height changes the answer. Mounted Bromic gas heaters need at least 8 ft from the floor, plus 3 ft of clearance above the heater to combustibles (14" with the Platinum / Tungsten Smart-Heat heat shield) and 3 ft to the sides. A pergola with beams at 8 ft 6 in is tight for gas; the Platinum Electric (72" minimum on a wall, 96" on a ceiling, 3 ft to combustibles) may be the easier fit.
Exposure is the multiplier. A screened porch and a partly open covered deck of the same size are different projects. Send us the dimensions, ceiling height, how many sides are open and a photo, and we'll lay it out against the manuals.
Platinum vs. Tungsten Gas: What's the Difference?
| Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas | Platinum Smart-Heat Gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Gas input (300 / 500) | 26,000 / 43,000 BTU/hr | 23,600 / 39,800 BTU/hr |
| Heat area (300 / 500) | 160 / 215 sq ft | 160 / 215 sq ft |
| Front | Matte black honeycomb mesh | Ceramic glass |
| Width (300 / 500) | 19.3" / 25.4" | 22.1" / 29.8" |
| Bracket | Pivot-arm bracket included | Wall bracket included |
| Wind (installation manual) | Up to 10 mph | Up to 10 mph |
| Warranty | 2 years (excl. hoses, igniters) | 2 years (excl. hoses, igniters) |
| Price (300 / 500) | $1,828 / $2,087 | $2,367 / $2,657 |
Both are landscape-format heaters — wider than tall. Same clearances, same gas requirements, same ceiling poles and controls. The choice is the front and the price.
On the electric side the choices are the Platinum Electric (2300/3400/4500W slim bar) and the Eclipse (2900W round pendant or freestanding, with light).
Step 3: Mounting
Ceiling. Gas units mount on a Bromic ceiling pole (9.69" to 41.18", sold separately). The Platinum Electric mounts on its bracket, on a tube suspension kit, or recessed with a recess kit. The Eclipse Pendant hangs on a Bromic pole — Bromic's cut sheet lists the 24" twin pole as the included mount.
Wall. For perimeter seating, narrow patios and sidewalk cafés. Gas units include a wall bracket. Keep 3 ft to each side clear of combustibles.
Freestanding. The Eclipse Freestanding weighs 383 lb, the only weight figure on Bromic's cut sheet — plan a level surface. The Tungsten Freestanding is 123.5 lb and takes a standard 20 lb propane cylinder in the base, or connects to a fixed natural gas outlet within 6.5 ft.
Step 4: What Your Installer Needs From You
- Mounted gas (Tungsten, Platinum Gas): a qualified gas installer; ½" NPT gas connection, natural gas or propane, plus a 110 V outlet near each heater for ignition. Put ceiling poles and any deflector or heat shield on the same order.
- Mounted electric (Platinum Electric, Eclipse Pendant): a licensed electrician; one dedicated circuit per heater with a two-pole RCD / breaker. Add the control (Affinity on/off, Affinity dimmer for the Platinum Electric, or a manual wall switch) to the order so it's wired once.
- Eclipse Freestanding: plug-in, 220–240 V. Bromic's cut sheet does not specify the receptacle type or cord length, so call us and we'll confirm the outlet your electrician needs to provide.
- Tungsten Freestanding: the propane version needs a cylinder; the natural gas version needs a fixed supply outlet within 6.5 ft, installed by a gas fitter.
Bromic's manuals call for installation by a qualified professional and to local code. We don't install — we send the cut sheet, manual and clearance drawings so your gas fitter or electrician has what the inspector wants to see.
Step 5: Budget
Current prices, freight to the lower 48 included. The product pages are the source of truth.
| Model | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 2300W | $1,527 black / $1,658 white | 3 years |
| Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 3400W | $2,194 black / $2,379 white | 3 years |
| Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 4500W | $2,761 black / $2,936 white | 3 years |
| Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas 300 / 500 | $1,828 / $2,087 | 2 years |
| Platinum Smart-Heat Gas 300 / 500 | $2,367 / $2,657 | 2 years |
| Tungsten Smart-Heat Freestanding Gas | $2,431 | 1 year |
| Eclipse Smart-Heat Pendant 2900W | $2,849 | 3 years |
| Eclipse Smart-Heat Freestanding 2900W | $5,149 | 3 years |
Controls, poles and recess kits are extra. Call or text and we'll spec the full set for your patio.
Buying for a Restaurant or Commercial Patio?
Read Restaurant and Commercial Patio Heating: A Planning Guide for Bromic Heaters, then send us the seating plan. We quote the whole terrace on one sheet and have a contractor and trade program for designers and contractors — details here.
Shipping and Support
Freight to the lower 48 is included, with liftgate delivery. Inspect the shipment before you sign; if anything is damaged, note it on the delivery receipt and call us. We'll handle the claim with the distributor and manufacturer. Bromic's warranty applies because we're an authorized Bromic dealer, and Bromic's claim process starts with the dealer — call us and we'll help you through it. How freight delivery works →
Frequently Asked
Can I use a Bromic heater under a covered porch or screened room?
Electric, yes — keep it out of direct rain and keep the manual's clearances. Mounted gas heaters are outdoor-only and need natural ventilation: in a space with a roof and more than two walls, at least 25% of the total wall area must be completely open.
How many heaters do I need for a 12 × 20 ft patio?
That's about 240 sq ft. If the seating uses all of it, two 500-series gas units or two to three Platinum Electrics is a reasonable starting point — but ceiling height and exposure can move that number. Send us the dimensions and we'll check it.
Does a gas heater still need electricity?
Yes — a 110 V outlet (under 2 A) for the electronic ignition and controls.
Can I install it myself?
Bromic specifies a qualified gas installer or licensed electrician and installation to local code. The propane Tungsten Freestanding runs from a cylinder you connect yourself.
Not Sure Which Bromic Fits Your Space?
Tell us what you're building — dimensions, ceiling height, how many sides are open, whether you have gas, and a photo. You'll get a layout recommendation and a written quote. If the honest answer is fewer heaters than you expected, that's the answer you'll get.
Call or text us → | Call or text (814) 440-4817, Mon–Fri 9 AM–8 PM ET | Shop all Bromic patio heaters →
American Hearth Supply — Authorized Bromic Heating Dealer. Specifications above are Bromic's published figures from the installation manuals and cut sheets linked on each product page; build to the manual.
