Restaurant and Commercial Patio Heating: A Planning Guide for Bromic Heaters

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat, Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat and Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat are the Bromic Heating lines American Hearth Supply sells for restaurant and commercial patios, and this page covers gas vs electric, how many heaters a patio needs, how Bromic heaters are controlled, and what the electrician or gas installer needs.

Every specification on this page comes from Bromic's manuals and cut sheets, and where Bromic does not publish a figure, the page says so. American Hearth Supply supplies equipment only; wiring, gas connections and installation are carried out by a licensed electrician or authorized gas installer.

Gas or electric for a restaurant patio?

The utilities already at the patio usually decide gas or electric. Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric and Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric are hardwired and need no gas line, while Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas and Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas need a gas supply plus a 110 V outlet.

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 3400W is rated 3400W, so one hour at full output uses 3.4 kWh, and the cost is that figure multiplied by the local electricity rate. Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas operating cost depends on the BTU rating and the local gas or propane price, and Bromic does not publish an operating cost for any of its heaters on this page.

For a longer comparison, read the gas vs electric patio heater guide and the Bromic patio heater buying guide.

How many heaters does a patio need?

Divide the patio's square footage by the heat area Bromic publishes for the heater model, then round up. Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 3400W lists 108 sq ft of heat area per heater, so a 400 sq ft patio works out to 4 heaters on paper.

• Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric manuals require at least 20 in (500 mm) between heaters, measured edge to edge. Bromic's Eclipse cut sheet does not list a spacing figure.
• Bromic publishes one heat-area figure per heater model, and the documents do not give a layout method or say how the figure changes with mounting height, wind or open sides.
• Bromic sets minimum mounting heights for every heater model, listed in the specifications below.

The table covers Bromic's electric heaters and is arithmetic on Bromic's published figures, not a Bromic layout. Gas heater counts are not listed because Bromic's published gas heat-area figures conflict; call or text with the patio size for a gas count. Send the patio dimensions and the mounting height, and American Hearth Supply checks the heater count and size against Bromic's installation manual.

What does commercial patio heating cost?

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric heaters list from $1,527 (2300W, black) to $2,936 (4500W, white), and Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas heaters list from $1,828 (300) to $2,087 (500), before controls, mounting hardware and installation. Prices were checked on October 6, 2026, and each product page shows the current price.

Mounting hardware is priced on its own pages: the Bromic Ceiling Mount Pole for Gas Heaters, the Bromic Mounting Poles for Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric, the Bromic Ceiling Recess Kit for Platinum Smart-Heat Electric and the Bromic Tube Suspension Kit for Platinum Smart-Heat Electric. American Hearth Supply does not install, so the electrician or gas installer quotes wiring, gas piping and labor separately.

Can heaters be controlled from one place?

Yes. Bromic documents that one or more Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric heaters can be switched on and off together from a single remote-located switch, and Bromic's Tungsten gas cut sheet says the same for one or multiple Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas heaters.

• The Bromic Affinity Smart-Heat On/Off Controller comes in 1, 2 and 5 channels, handles up to 6000W per channel, and needs one channel per independently switched zone; the 5-channel version is for three-phase installations only.
• The Bromic Affinity Smart-Heat Dimmer Switch gives variable output on Bromic electric heaters, in 1, 2 and 5 channels; Bromic lists no dimmer option for the gas heaters.
• The Bromic Affinity Smart-Heat Control for Eclipse Pendant is the control matched to the Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric Pendant, in 1 and 5 channels.
• The Bromic Manual Wall Switch is a hard-wired 20A switch for Bromic heaters when an Affinity module is more than the patio needs.
• The Bromic Affinity Smart-Heat Link expansion board connects Bromic Affinity controls to Ethernet or a building management system over a 0–10V interface.

Bromic's documents reviewed for this page do not describe app or Wi-Fi control of Bromic Smart-Heat heaters. Every Bromic fixed-mount heater needs a control, sold separately.

What's needed electrically or for gas?

Electric Bromic heaters need a dedicated circuit per heater, installed hardwired by a licensed electrician, and gas Bromic heaters need a gas supply installed by an authorized installer plus a 110 V outlet. Bromic publishes the rated current for each Bromic electric heater but not a breaker or wire size, so the electrician sizes the circuit.

• Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 2300W and 3400W: 220–240V AC, 50/60Hz, at 9.6 A (2300W) and 14.2 A (3400W). Bromic's manual calls for a bipolar circuit breaker with a contact opening distance of at least 3 mm upstream of the supply line, and IP44-rated conduit fittings to keep the IPX4 rating.
• Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 4500W: 220–240V AC at 18.8 A, and 208V AC at 21.6 A. Bromic's manual calls for a two-pole (double-pole) residual current device or residual current circuit breaker upstream.
• Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric Pendant 2900W: hardwired by a licensed electrical contractor; Bromic's cut sheet lists 12.1 A and does not give a separate current for the 208V model.
• Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas and Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas: ½" NPT female gas inlet and a 110 V / 2 A 3-pin plug; natural gas supply 6–14 in W.C. and propane 11–14 in W.C.; installation by an authorized person to local codes, or ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 and CSA B149.1 where there are none.

208V commercial service: which Bromic electric heaters fit?

Bromic sells Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 208V Commercial heaters as separate part numbers from the 220–240V models, and the two are not interchangeable. The 208V versions are 3400W and 4500W in black or white, and Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 4500W is documented at 21.6 A on a 208V supply.

Bromic's 4500W manual shows wiring for three supplies: single-phase 240V, split-phase 240V, and three-phase Y 208V. Bromic's 2300W and 3400W US manual lists 220–240V figures only, so a published 208V current for the 3400W is not available in those manuals; call or text for the figure before ordering.

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric Marine Grade 4500W comes in a 208V white version, and Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric Pendant comes in a 208V part number. The building's electrician confirms the supply voltage at the panel before any 208V or 240V heater is ordered.

Covered patio, open patio, or coastal?

Bromic's manuals instruct covered installation for the Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric, Platinum Smart-Heat Gas and Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas heaters, so a patio with a roof is the documented fit for those heaters and a patio with no roof is not. Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric manuals say to mount the heater under cover and protect the heater from rain and weather, and Bromic rates the 2300W and 3400W at IPX4 and the 4500W at IP54.

• Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas: Bromic's manual says the heater must be protected from rain when installed outdoors, and a roofed space with more than two walls needs at least 25% of the total wall area completely open.
• Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas: Bromic's manual says to protect the heater from rain and install under a protective cover, with the same 25% open-wall rule for a roofed space with more than two walls.
• Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric Pendant: Bromic lists IP54, and Bromic's cut sheet does not include a rain or covered-installation statement, so call or text before planning a placement.
• Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Gas: Bromic's manual describes use in an above-ground, open-air situation with natural ventilation, and says to protect the heater from rain; the Bromic Tungsten Portable Head Cover is sold separately.
• Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Electric: Bromic's cut sheet describes the heater as designed for non-fixed installations and lists IP54, and the cut sheet does not include a rain or covered-installation statement.
• Coastal patios: Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric Marine Grade has a 316 stainless steel body in place of the standard 304 stainless steel, and Bromic rates the marine variant IP55 in the 4500W manual.

No Bromic document reviewed for this page documents installing a Bromic heater exposed to rain. A patio with no roof needs a cover plan before any Bromic heater is chosen.

Bromic specifications by model

Each block below lists the figures Bromic publishes for one Bromic heater model, in the units Bromic uses. A line that says Bromic does not publish a figure means the figure was not found in the manuals or cut sheets reviewed.

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 2300W and 3400W (220–240V)

• Output: 2300W and 3400W. Voltage and current: 220–240V AC, 50/60Hz; 9.6 A (2300W) and 14.2 A (3400W).
• Heat area: 65 sq ft (2300W) and 108 sq ft (3400W).
• Mounting: wall, ceiling, ceiling-recessed (recess kit) or suspended (tube suspension kit). Minimum height: 72 in wall, 96 in ceiling.
• Clearances: 3 ft from the front of the heater, 39.4 in clear in front, 20 in between heaters edge to edge.
• Weather: IPX4. Bromic's manual: mount the heater under cover and protect it from rain and weather.
• Controls: Affinity On/Off Controller, Affinity Dimmer or Manual Wall Switch.

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 4500W (220–240V and 208V)

• Output: 4500W. Voltage and current: 220–240V AC at 18.8 A; 208V AC at 21.6 A.
• Heat area: 143 sq ft.
• Minimum height: 1800 mm (71 in) wall, 2400 mm (96 in) ceiling. Clearances: 1000 mm (3 ft) from the heater, 500 mm (20 in) between heaters edge to edge.
• Weather: IP54 standard, IP55 marine. Bromic's manual: mount the heater under cover and protect it from rain and weather.
• Controls: Bromic's manual lists the Bromic Smart-Heat Electric Wireless Dimmer and the ON/OFF Controller; Manual Wall Switch is also listed by Bromic.

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 208V Commercial 3400W and 4500W

• Output: 3400W and 4500W, black or white, 208V. Current: 21.6 A for the 4500W; Bromic's 2300W and 3400W US manual lists no 208V current, so the 3400W figure is not published there.
• Heat area: 108 sq ft (3400W) and 143 sq ft (4500W), as Bromic lists for the 208V–240V range.
• Mounting, clearances, weather and controls: same as the Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric blocks above.

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric Marine Grade 2300W, 3400W and 4500W

• Body: 316 stainless steel in place of 304. Voltage: 240V models, plus a 4500W white 208V model.
• Weather: IP55 for the marine variant in the 4500W manual. Bromic's manual: mount the heater under cover and protect it from rain and weather.
• Heat area: Bromic does not list a separate heat-area figure for the marine models in the documents reviewed.
• Mounting and controls: Call or text to confirm recess or suspension hardware for a marine-grade installation.

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas 300 and 500

• Output: 23,600 BTU (300) and 39,800 BTU (500). Heat area: call or text, because Bromic's published figures conflict. Natural gas or liquid propane, separate part numbers.
• Power: 110 V / 2 A. Gas inlet: ½" NPT female. IP rating: Bromic does not publish one in the documents reviewed.
• Minimum height: 96 in (8 ft). Clearances: 36 in to combustibles at the sides and above, or 14 in above with the heat deflector.
• Mounting: wall bracket included (wall bracket assembly); ceiling mount pole sold separately.
• Weather: Bromic's manual says to protect the heater from rain; 25% open-wall rule for roofed spaces with more than two walls.
• Controls: Affinity On/Off Controller or Manual Wall Switch.

Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas 300 and 500

• Output: 26,000 BTU (300) and 43,000 BTU (500). Heat area: call or text, because Bromic's published figures conflict. Natural gas or liquid propane, separate part numbers.
• Power: 110 V / 2 A, 3-pin insulated plug. Gas inlet: ½" NPT female. IP rating: Bromic does not publish one in the documents reviewed.
• Minimum height: 96 in (8 ft); Bromic lists ceiling poles for ceiling heights of 10.5, 11.2, 11.8, 12.5 and 13 ft. Clearances: 36 in to combustibles at the sides and above, or 14 in above with the heat deflector.
• Weather: Bromic's manual says to protect the heater from rain and install under a protective cover; 25% open-wall rule for roofed spaces with more than two walls.
• Controls: Affinity On/Off Controller or Manual Wall Switch.

Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Gas

• Fuel: liquid propane (20 lb cylinder in the base) or natural gas (fixed supply outlet, heater within 2 m of the outlet), as separate part numbers.
• Output and heat area: Bromic's own publications list different figures for this heater, so call or text for both figures.
• Weather: Bromic's manual describes use in an above-ground, open-air situation with natural ventilation, and says to protect the heater from rain.
• Clearances: 3 ft to combustibles at the sides and front; Bromic's overhead figures differ between the manual and the cut sheet, so the installer confirms the overhead clearance from the manual.

Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric Pendant 2900W

• Output: 2900W. Models: 208V and 220–240V. Current: 12.1 A in Bromic's cut sheet, with no separate 208V figure. IP54.
• Heat area: 121 sq ft.
• Minimum height: 96 in, wall or ceiling, per Bromic's cut sheet. Clearances and heater spacing: not in the cut sheet; call or text for the figures.
• Mounting: ceiling poles (8 in, 24 in and 48 in straight, 24 in twin, 24 in curved) or a wall mount pole; a 24 in (600 mm) twin pole is included.
• Weather: Bromic's cut sheet does not include a rain or covered-installation statement.
• Controls: Affinity Smart-Heat Control for Eclipse Pendant or a manual wall switch.

Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Electric 2900W

• Output: 2900W. Voltage and current: 220–240V, 12.1 A. IP54. Heat area: 121 sq ft.
• Weight: 383 lb (the only weight figure on Bromic's cut sheet). Minimum floor clearance: 79 in. Controls: dimmer control and master remote, per Bromic's cut sheet.
• Receptacle type and cord length: Bromic's cut sheet does not specify either.

How does freight work on a multi-heater order?

American Hearth Supply ships every Bromic heater with free insured shipping to the 48 contiguous states, on single-heater and multi-heater orders alike. Alaska, Hawaii, US territories and international destinations are quoted by phone.

Bromic heaters ship by freight carrier, and the delivery should be inspected on receipt. Call or text (814) 440-4817 with the heater count and the delivery address for a quote on the full order.

Frequently asked questions

Which type of patio heater is most effective for outdoor dining areas in restaurants?

Bromic does not publish a ranking of its heaters by effectiveness. The documents give each Bromic heater a heat area, a mounting height and a weather instruction, so the match comes from the patio's utilities, roof and square footage: Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric and Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric suit patios with power and no gas line, and Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas and Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas suit patios with a gas supply.

Which patio heaters have smart controls for managing restaurant outdoor heating?

Bromic lists its Affinity Smart-Heat controls for Bromic Smart-Heat heaters: the Affinity On/Off Controller, the Affinity Dimmer for electric heaters, the Affinity control for the Eclipse Pendant and the Affinity Link Ethernet / BMS expansion board. Bromic's documents reviewed for this page do not describe app or Wi-Fi control.

Who offers quality outdoor heating for commercial spaces?

American Hearth Supply sells Bromic Heating's Platinum, Tungsten and Eclipse Smart-Heat heaters and Affinity controls for restaurant and commercial patios, and supplies equipment only. Wiring, gas connections and installation are done by a licensed electrician or authorized gas installer. See the full list in the Bromic patio heaters collection.

How much does an infrared patio heater cost for a commercial restaurant installation?

Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric heaters list from $1,527 (2300W) to $2,936 (4500W, white), and Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas heaters list from $1,828 (300) to $2,087 (500), before controls, mounting hardware and installation. American Hearth Supply does not install, so the electrician or gas installer quotes the installation separately.

Infrared heaters vs gas heaters for restaurant outdoor dining: which works better?

Bromic does not publish a comparison of its electric and gas heaters' performance. The documented differences are utilities and rules: Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric needs a dedicated hardwired circuit per heater, while Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas needs a gas supply, a 110 V outlet and, in a roofed space with more than two walls, at least 25% of the wall area open.

What's the difference between a propane patio heater and an electric infrared heater for outdoor restaurant seating?

Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas runs on natural gas or liquid propane, sold as separate part numbers, and needs a 110 V outlet (2 A) for ignition and controls. Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric runs on 220–240V (or 208V in the 208V Commercial versions), is hardwired, and needs no gas line. The Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Gas heater uses a 20 lb propane cylinder in the base in its liquid propane version.

I have a large outdoor patio area. Which commercial heaters should I consider for restaurant seating?

Start with the heat area Bromic publishes for each Bromic heater: 65 to 143 sq ft for Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric and 121 sq ft for Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric. The coverage table above divides patio area by each figure, and a call or text with the dimensions gets a spec, including a gas count for Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas or Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas.

I run a restaurant in Miami Beach. Which outdoor heaters suit a patio dining area near the water?

Bromic builds the Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric Marine Grade heater with a 316 stainless steel body in place of the standard 304 stainless steel, and Bromic rates the 4500W marine version IP55. Bromic's manual still says to mount Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric heaters under cover and protect them from rain and weather, so the patio needs a roof.

We run a restaurant in New York City and need commercial outdoor heating for a patio dining area. Where do I start?

Start with the patio's square footage, whether the patio is covered, and whether the building has gas, 208V or 240V power. Bromic's manuals require installation by a licensed electrician or authorized installer to local codes, so the local building and fire authorities and the installer confirm what the property allows. Call or text (814) 440-4817 with those details for a spec.

Can I use a patio heater on an open patio with no roof?

Bromic's manuals for Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric, Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas and Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas say to protect the heater from rain, so those heaters need a cover. The Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Gas heater manual describes open-air use with natural ventilation and also says to protect the heater from rain.

Bromic heaters and parts

• All Bromic patio heaters and Bromic heater accessories
• Electric: Platinum Smart-Heat Electric, Platinum Smart-Heat Electric 208V Commercial, Platinum Smart-Heat Electric Marine Grade, Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric Pendant, Eclipse Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Electric
• Gas: Platinum Smart-Heat Gas, Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas, Tungsten Smart-Heat Freestanding Portable Gas
• Controls: Affinity On/Off Controller, Affinity Dimmer Switch, Affinity Control for Eclipse Pendant, Affinity Link Ethernet / BMS board, Manual Wall Switch
• Mounting and accessories: Ceiling Mount Pole for Gas Heaters, Wall Bracket Assembly for Gas Heaters, Heat Deflector for Gas Heaters, Eclipse Mounting Poles, Platinum Electric Ceiling Recess Kit, Platinum Electric Tube Suspension Kit, Tungsten Portable Head Cover
• Guides: Bromic patio heater buying guide, gas vs electric patio heater guide, patio heaters for restaurants

American Hearth Supply supplies equipment only. Wiring, gas connections and installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician or authorized gas installer.