A patio heater is a great way to stay warm and spend time with friends and family on your patio without being forced to move inside when the temperature drops. However, you do need to be aware of certain safety considerations – such as how close it should be to your house.
A patio heater should be at least three feet (0.61 m) away from your house. There should also be the same clearance between the heater and other objects on your patio, such as chairs. If there is less clearance, your patio heater poses a fire hazard.
This article will answer your questions about placing your patio heater in the safest position. I’ll explain why heaters need clearance on all sides, whether you can use your patio heater inside your home, and other safety considerations to keep in mind.
Why Patio Heaters Require Clearance
As mentioned above, patio heaters require at least three feet (0.61 m) of clearance on all sides. Your patio heater generally directs heat forwards and downwards, and if there is no clearance and your patio heater falls over, there is a significant fire risk.
Each patio heater brand has its own minimum clearance recommendations. One consideration that is factored in when providing this recommendation is the type of patio heater you are using.
Gas heaters are generally more powerful and are a greater safety hazard. Thus, recommended clearance levels for gas heaters are usually greater than those for electric heaters.
On the other hand, electric heaters are designed to deflect the heat they emit from the back and the sides. Due to this design, some electric heater brands have very low clearance recommendations – as low as 25 cm (0.8 feet) on all sides.
Patio heaters also have recommended clearance limits between the heater and the wall. For gas heaters, this recommendation is generally three feet (0.61 m) once again, while the recommendation for electric heaters can be as little as 15-25 cm (0.49-0.8 feet).
You can reduce the ceiling clearance for gas patio heaters by installing a heat shield over the head of the heater. Most patio heaters today come with a heat shield pre-installed.
If yours does not have one or it needs to be replaced, I recommend the Kisworm Propane Heat Reflector Shield from Amazon. This shield is made of aluminum and is flame and rust-resistant, and has a universal fit.
With a heat shield installed above the heater head, you can often reduce clearance requirements from the ceiling to 35 cm (1.14 feet). However, ensure you have read the instructions for your model before you decide where to place it – some models will still recommend providing three feet (0.61 m) of clearance, even with a heat shield.
Can You Use Your Patio Heater Inside Your House?
You can use a patio heater inside your house, but you shouldn’t do so. Patio heaters get extremely hot, which can be uncomfortable and become a fire risk in enclosed spaces. Additionally, they produce carbon monoxide, which is highly dangerous when doors and windows are closed.
You can use your patio heater on your covered porch and patio. As long as the space opens to the outside, you can safely use your patio heaters without worrying about toxic byproducts like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. The heat produced by the heater is offset by the wind chill, so you’ll be just the right warmth instead of feeling uncomfortably hot.
Safety Precautions To Take When Using Patio Heaters
You already know that there should be clearance on all sides of your patio heater, including the top. Other safety considerations you should follow include:
- Be extra careful if flammable objects, such as curtains, are located near your patio heater. Ideally, add an additional foot of clearance between your patio heater and flammable objects for your peace of mind.
- Place your patio heater on a flat, level surface. While most patio heaters today have built-in stabilizers to prevent them from tipping over, placing your heater on a level spot significantly reduces the chances of accidents.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Accidents happen. Even if you take every precaution possible, patio heaters do have a level of inherent risk of fires. Having a fire extinguisher easily accessible can minimize the damage should something unexpected occur.
- Make sure the fire extinguisher is of the right class as your patio heater. For a gas patio heater, you will need an extinguisher that can handle class B fires (either a foam spray, ABC powder, or CO2 fire extinguisher). For an electric patio heater, you will need an extinguisher for class C fires (ABC powder or CO2 extinguishers). If you have both types, get an extinguisher that can handle both classes of fires.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when starting your patio heater. Some gas heaters may require you to turn on the pilot light manually. If so, use a flame source that allows you to light it from a distance. If it doesn’t turn on immediately, turn off the gas, wait for a few minutes, and try again. This will prevent a gas buildup, which can be dangerous when exposed to flame.
- Never leave your patio heater unattended. If there are any children or pets with you on the patio, keep them at a safe distance from the heater. If you’re stepping inside your home for a period of time and there is no other adult near the heater, turn it off.
- If it’s too windy, turn off your patio heater to prevent it from tipping over. Stabilize it outside or pack it up and bring it in until the wind dies down a little. Some patio heaters are specifically designed to be used in windy conditions, while others have strict limits as to what wind speed they can be used up to.
- Ensure you have a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector installed. These are especially important if you use your heater in a semi-covered space. Make sure to test the batteries for both alarms regularly – neither will be of any use if their batteries have died out.
Final Thoughts
You should place your patio heater about three feet (0.61 m) away from your home. It should have the same amount of distance from other objects, especially flammable objects.
There are certain situations in which your patio heater may need less clearance. For example, installing a heat guard over the burner of a gas patio heater can reduce the clearance it requires from the ceiling.
Sources
- Vanguard: What Are the 5 Different Classes of Fires?
- IFSEC Global: Fire extinguisher types: How to choose the right class
- Backyard Space: How To Keep Your Patio Heater From Tipping Over
- CISION PR Newswire: 7 Safety Tips For Outdoor Patio Heaters
- Take a Yard: Can Patio Heaters Be Used Indoors? (Read This First!)
- My Backyard Life: Are Patio Heaters Safe? (And Can You Use Them Indoors?)
- Heat Outdoors: What level of clearance do I need around the patio heater?
- Bromic: What Are The Clearances To Heat my Covered Patio?
- Backyard Scape: Can You Use an Outdoor Heater Under a Covered Patio?
