You're heating a covered patio, a pool deck or a restaurant terrace and you've landed on Bromic. Good instinct — it's the brand hospitality designers specify when the heat actually has to work. The problem is that Bromic makes six 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 | Buy this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Covered patio or pergola with a roof, no gas line, ceiling 8–10 ft | Platinum Smart-Heat Electric (2300W / 3400W / 4500W) | Hardwired, slim, no flame or fumes. The white finish disappears into a light ceiling. |
| Open-sided patio, pool deck or terrace with gas service, ceiling 8 ft or higher | Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas (300 / 500) | Most heat per dollar — 26,000 or 43,000 BTU/hr — in a stainless body. The commercial standard. |
| Same as above, but the heater is part of the design | Platinum Smart-Heat Gas (300 / 500) | Bromic's flagship gas unit with a glass front; specified into hotel and restaurant terraces. |
| Outdoor dining room where a light fixture is what you want to see | Eclipse Smart-Heat Pendant (2900W) | Hangs like a pendant light, heats the table beneath it, includes dimmable LED lighting. |
| Nothing to mount to, or seating that moves with the season | Eclipse Freestanding Electric (plug-in 240 V) or Tungsten Freestanding Gas (propane or natural gas) | Wheeled bases, no installation. The Eclipse plugs into a 240 V outlet; the Tungsten runs about 8 hours on a 20 lb propane cylinder. |
Not sure which row you're in? Tell us what you're building and we'll spec the layout for free.
Step 1: Gas or Electric? Your Site Decides
This is mostly settled by what's already at the patio.
Choose gas if you have a natural gas line nearby or you're comfortable with propane, if the space is large or open-sided, or if your electrical panel doesn't have headroom for a hardwired 240 V circuit per heater. Bromic's gas heaters put out more raw heat per unit (23,600–43,000 BTU/hr) and are rated for wind up to 10–12 mph. They still need a 110 V outlet for ignition and controls, and a gas fitter to connect them.
Choose electric if the patio is covered, if there's no gas service, if the ceiling is on the low side, or if you'd rather never manage a fuel bill or a propane tank. Every Bromic electric heater except the freestanding Eclipse is hardwired on its own dedicated 208 V or 220–240 V circuit — the 4500W Platinum draws up to 21.6 A — so a licensed electrician is part of the project. Electric units also carry a longer Bromic warranty (3 years vs. 2 on mounted gas).
We sell both and have no reason to steer you. The full gas-vs-electric comparison is here →
Step 2: Size It — Coverage, Mounting Height and Count
Bromic publishes a heat-coverage figure for every model. Use it as the starting point, not the finish line — coverage assumes the heater is mounted at the rated height and aimed at the seating, in a space that isn't wide open to wind.
| Model | Output | Bromic coverage figure | 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 / Freestanding | 2900 W | 121 sq ft | Head 96" above floor (pendant); 79" overhead clearance (freestanding) |
| Tungsten Gas 300 / Platinum Gas 300 | 26,000 / 23,600 BTU/hr | 160 sq ft | 96" to underside |
| Tungsten Gas 500 / Platinum Gas 500 | 43,000 / 39,800 BTU/hr | 215 sq ft | 96" to underside |
| Tungsten Freestanding Gas | 38,500 BTU/hr | 215 sq ft | 121" floor-to-overhead clearance |
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 Tungsten 500; in practice, a single heater in a corner leaves the far end of the table cold, so two 300s spaced along the space usually heats more evenly than one 500. Spread heat, don't concentrate it.
Ceiling height changes the answer. Radiant heat weakens with distance. Every mounted Bromic gas heater needs at least 8 ft from the floor to the underside of the unit, plus 3 ft of clearance above it to combustibles (14" with the Bromic heat shield). If your pergola beams are at 8 ft 6 in, gas won't fit without a shield and careful placement — the Platinum Electric at 72" wall-mount height is the easier fit. Ceilings over 11–12 ft push you toward the 500-series gas or the 4500W electric, and toward more units.
Exposure is the multiplier. A screened porch and an open deck of the same size are different projects. Mounted gas units are rated to 10–12 mph of wind; the freestanding Tungsten only 8 mph. If the space is open on three sides, assume you'll need the next size up or one more unit than the coverage figure suggests.
There's no honest rule of thumb that replaces those three inputs. Send us the dimensions, ceiling height, how many sides are open and a photo, and we'll lay it out for you.
Can You Use a Patio Heater Under a Covered Patio?
Yes — and a covered patio is where mounted heaters work best, because the roof keeps the radiant heat and wind out of the equation. The rules are about clearance and ventilation, not about "covered" itself.
- Electric (Platinum Electric, Eclipse): rated for covered outdoor rooms and porches. Mount at 72" (wall) or 96" (ceiling) minimum, keep 3 ft to combustibles and 39" clear in front, and keep the unit out of direct rain. The Platinum can be recessed flush into a soffit with the recess kit, which is the cleanest covered-patio install there is.
- Gas (Tungsten, Platinum Gas): outdoor use only — Bromic's guidance is an open or semi-enclosed space with at least 25% of the wall area open for natural ventilation. Under a roof you need 8 ft from the floor to the underside of the heater and 3 ft above it to combustibles (14" with the heat shield). A pergola with 8 ft 6 in beams is too tight for gas without the shield; go electric or raise the mount.
- Screened porch: electric only. Gas doesn't belong in a screened room.
Send a photo of the overhead structure with the height and we'll tell you which unit and mount clears.
Platinum vs. Tungsten: What's the Difference?
The two mounted gas lines heat the same way and mount the same way; you're choosing between a glass-front designer body and a stainless workhorse.
| Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas | Platinum Smart-Heat Gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Output (300 / 500) | 26,000 / 43,000 BTU/hr | 23,600 / 39,800 BTU/hr |
| Coverage (300 / 500) | 160 / 215 sq ft | 160 / 215 sq ft |
| Body | Stainless steel, exposed burner grid | Slim body with ceramic glass front — the "designer" Bromic |
| Size (300 / 500) | 19.3" / 25.4" H × 19.6" W × 10.1" D | 22.1" / 29.8" H × 19.6" W × 10.9" D |
| Head angle | 0°, 10° or 20° on the included pivot bracket | Pivot bracket, directional aim |
| Wind rating | 10 mph | 12 mph (cut sheet) |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price (300 / 500) | $1,828 / $2,087 | $2,367 / $2,657 |
Pick the Tungsten when the heater is equipment — restaurant terraces, pool decks, multi-unit residential runs where you want the most BTU per dollar. Pick the Platinum when the heater is visible from the dining table and the glass front earns its $500 premium. Same electrician, same gas fitter, same poles and controls either way.
On the electric side there's no Tungsten; the Platinum Electric (2300/3400/4500W) and the Eclipse (2900W pendant or freestanding) are the two choices, and the difference is form: slim bar vs. round pendant with light.
Step 3: Mounting — Where Is the Heat Coming From?
Ceiling / overhead. The most even coverage across a table, nothing on the floor to knock into. Gas units mount on a Bromic ceiling pole (9.69" to 41.18", sold separately) that must hang perpendicular to the ground. Platinum Electric mounts flush or fully recessed into a soffit with the recess kit. The Eclipse Pendant hangs on an 8", 24" or 48" pole (24" twin pole included).
Wall. The answer for perimeter seating, narrow patios and sidewalk cafés. Gas units include a pivot bracket; the Tungsten head aims at 0°, 10° or 20°, the Platinum Electric tilts up to 30°. Keep 3 ft to each side clear of combustibles.
Freestanding. No installation and you reposition as the layout changes. The Eclipse Freestanding weighs 383 lb assembled (the base alone is 320 lb of weights) — plan two people and a level surface. The Tungsten Freestanding is 123.5 lb with an anti-tilt switch and takes a standard 20 lb cylinder in the base.
Step 4: What Your Installer Needs From You
- Mounted gas (Tungsten, Platinum Gas): a gas fitter; 1/2" NPT gas connection, natural gas or propane, plus a 110 V outlet near each heater for ignition. Ceiling poles, deflector and heat shield go on the same order so nothing is missing on install day.
- Mounted electric (Platinum Electric, Eclipse Pendant): a licensed electrician; one dedicated 208 V or 220–240 V circuit per heater with a two-pole breaker. Add the Bromic Affinity control (on/off or dimmer) to the order so it's wired once.
- Eclipse Freestanding: plug-in — a 240 V / 20 A receptacle (NEMA 6-20R) within 15 ft. If the patio doesn't have one, that's a small electrician job.
- Tungsten Freestanding: propane version needs nothing but a cylinder; natural-gas version needs a fixed quick-connect outlet within 6.5 ft.
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 exactly what the inspector wants to see.
Step 5: Budget
Current authorized-dealer pricing, freight included. Bromic sets minimum advertised prices, so you'll see the same numbers at every authorized dealer — what differs is whether anyone helps you size it and whether the freight is insured.
| Model | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 2300W | $1,677 black / $1,808 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 |
A typical residential covered patio lands at two or three units — $3,500 to $8,000 in heaters — plus poles, controls and the installer. A restaurant terrace is usually four or more. Either way, ask for one written quote for the whole layout rather than pricing heaters one at a time; multi-unit projects are where we can be most useful.
Comparison at a Glance
| Tungsten Gas | Platinum Gas | Platinum Electric | Eclipse Pendant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Stainless body | Glass front, slim | Slim bar, black or white | Round pendant with light |
| Output | 26,000 / 43,000 BTU | 23,600 / 39,800 BTU | 2300 / 3400 / 4500 W | 2900 W |
| Coverage | 160 / 215 sq ft | 160 / 215 sq ft | 65 / 108 / 143 sq ft | 121 sq ft |
| Connection | Gas + 110 V | Gas + 110 V | Hardwired 208–240 V | Hardwired 208–240 V |
| Best for | Open patios, value per BTU | Designed spaces with gas | Covered rooms, no gas | Dining tables, design-led spaces |
| Warranty | 2 yr | 2 yr | 3 yr | 3 yr |
Buying for a Restaurant or Commercial Patio?
Read Patio Heaters for Restaurants for the mounting and fuel-cost questions that decide most commercial layouts, then send us the seating plan. We quote the whole terrace on one sheet and offer trade pricing to designers and contractors — details here.
Shipping, Timing and Support
Every Bromic heater ships factory-new from an authorized dealer with free insured freight to the lower 48. Order before the season, not during it — everyone orders in October. Warranty registration and any claim run through us, not a call center. How freight delivery works →
Frequently Asked
Can I use a Bromic heater under a covered porch or screened room?
Electric, yes — the Platinum Electric and Eclipse are rated for covered outdoor rooms (keep them out of direct rain). Gas units are outdoor-only and need natural ventilation; Bromic's rule of thumb is at least 25% of the wall area open.
How many heaters do I need for a 12 × 20 ft patio?
That's about 240 sq ft of floor. If the seating uses all of it, plan on two 500-series gas units or two to three Platinum Electrics, positioned to cross-cover the tables — but ceiling height and exposure can move that number either way. Send us the dimensions and we'll confirm.
Does a gas heater still need electricity?
Yes — a 110 V outlet under 2 A for the electronic ignition and controls. It is not hardwired.
Can I install it myself?
Bromic specifies a qualified gas fitter or licensed electrician and installation to local code. The freestanding propane Tungsten is the only unit that needs no installer.
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 for the complete build within one business day. No pressure, and if the honest answer is fewer heaters than you expected, that's the answer you'll get.
Get my recommendation → | 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. All specifications above are Bromic's published figures from the current cut sheets and installation manuals linked on each product page; build to the manual.
