This used to be an easy question. Gas put out more heat per unit, so gas won unless you had a specific reason to go electric. That calculation has shifted, and it's worth understanding why before you spend $2,000–$5,000 on a patio heating setup.
The Short Version
Gas — higher heat output, works anywhere you can run a line or set a tank, no high-voltage electrical work. But you're exposed to fuel costs and, if you're on propane, tank management.
Electric — no fuel to buy, no tanks to swap, slimmer units, instant on. But it needs adequate electrical capacity, and every mounted Bromic electric heater is hardwired on its own dedicated circuit.
The reason electric has moved up the list is straightforward: propane is a fuel you buy by the cylinder at whatever the price is that week. For anyone running heaters daily through a season, that's a real operating cost that used to be an afterthought.
Where Gas Still Wins
No electrical capacity. If your patio doesn't have the panel headroom for a 4500W unit, or three of them, gas sidesteps the problem entirely — a Bromic gas heater only needs a 110 V outlet for ignition.
Large open areas. Gas units generally put out more raw heat — Bromic's Tungsten 500 is rated at 43,000 BTU/hr and 215 sq ft of coverage — which matters when you're covering a big exposed space rather than a covered nook.
Remote locations. A propane tank works where there's no power. Nothing else does.
Existing gas service. If you already have a line to the patio for a grill or fire feature, adding a fixed gas heater is a small job.
Where Electric Wins
Predictable cost. You already pay for electricity and you already know what it costs. No fuel purchases, no price volatility.
No tank logistics. Nobody swapping cylinders mid-service. For a restaurant this alone is often the deciding factor.
Slimmer profile. Electric units are generally more compact — the Platinum Electric is 2" deep — which matters when the heater is visible.
Instant heat. No ignition sequence, no warm-up.
Covered and indoor-adjacent spaces. Covered porches and three-season rooms where combustion appliances get complicated. Bromic's gas heaters are outdoor-only; the electric units are rated for covered outdoor rooms.
Longer warranty. Bromic covers its electric heaters for 3 years versus 2 years on the mounted gas units.
What We Carry
We're an authorized Bromic dealer and we sell both, so we have no reason to push you either direction.
Gas
- Tungsten Smart-Heat — 300 and 500 series (26,000 / 43,000 BTU/hr), natural gas or propane. The commercial standard. From $1,828.
- Platinum Smart-Heat Gas — 300 and 500 series, glass-front, slimmer profile. From $2,367.
- Tungsten Freestanding Portable — propane or natural gas, no installation. $2,431.
Electric
- Platinum Smart-Heat Electric — 2300W, 3400W and 4500W, in black or white. From $1,677.
- Eclipse Smart-Heat Pendant — 2900W, ceiling mounted, with integrated LED light. $2,849.
- Eclipse Smart-Heat Freestanding — 2900W on a weighted floor base, plugs into a 240 V outlet. $5,149.
The Electrical Question
This is the thing that catches people out. A 4500W electric heater draws up to 21.6 A on its own 208–240 V circuit, and three of them across a patio is a real electrical load.
Before you commit to an electric layout, have your electrician confirm you have the panel capacity and the circuits available. It's a ten-minute conversation that prevents a much more expensive one later.
Lower-wattage units are more forgiving — a 2300W Platinum at 9.6 A is a different proposition than a 4500W.
Coverage Isn't a Number We'll Guess At
How much heat you need depends on the size of the space, ceiling height, how exposed it is to wind, and where people actually sit. A covered courtyard and an open deck of identical square footage need completely different setups.
Any dealer who gives you a coverage figure without asking those questions is guessing. If you want to work it through yourself first, our Bromic buying guide covers sizing, mounting height and how many units →
Send us your dimensions, tell us whether the space is covered, and say whether you have gas service and what your electrical situation looks like. We'll tell you honestly which fuel makes sense and how many units the space actually needs.
One More Thing About Infrared
Both gas and electric Bromic units use infrared, which heats objects and people directly rather than heating the air. That's why they work outdoors where a conventional heater doesn't — wind carries warm air away, but it doesn't stop radiant heat.
If you've been disappointed by a propane mushroom heater, that's why. It's heating air that immediately leaves.
Free Shipping, Scheduled Delivery
Free insured freight to the lower 48 with liftgate delivery, scheduled with you in advance. No surprise freight bill.
Tell us what you're building → | Call or text (814) 440-4817 and we'll spec it properly.
