Winter in Texas is short, but it’s not warm enough to sit outside every night. In Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas, a sunny 65°F afternoon can turn into a 45°F evening once the sun goes down. When that happens, guests move inside, patio tables sit empty and outdoor events end early.
The right heaters keep people outside. This guide is for restaurant owners, venue managers, and event planners who want to heat a patio, courtyard, or event tent this winter. We cover the types of outdoor heaters, how many you need, the fire code rules to know, and when renting makes more sense than buying.
| The Short Answer
For an open patio, patio-style radiant heaters warm people directly. Plan on about one 40,000 BTU heater for every 300 square feet. For enclosed patios, event tents and large outdoor spaces, forced-air heat works better. An indirect-fired heater sits outside, burns fuel outside the occupied area and ducts heated supply air into the space. Fire codes in most Texas cities don’t allow propane patio heaters inside tents, so plan your tent heat around that. |
Start With Your Space: Open, Covered or Enclosed?
One of the biggest factors in outdoor-heating performance is how exposed the space is to wind and outdoor air. It’s how much of the space is open to the wind and sky. Heat rises and drifts away. The more enclosure the space has, the more heat stays where your guests are.
| Your Space | What Happens to the Heat | What Works Best |
|---|---|---|
| Open Patio or Courtyard
(no roof) |
Rises and blows away, especially in wind | Radiant patio heaters aimed at seating areas |
| Covered Patio or Pergola with a Roof | The roof holds some heat, but the sides let it escape | Radiant heaters, plus forced-air heat if you add side panels |
| Enclosed Patio (vinyl walls or patio curtains) | Most of the heat stays inside | Electric heaters or ducted indirect-fired heaters |
| Event Tent | Retains substantially more heat when sidewalls are installed, though air leakage and frequent openings still affect heating load. | Indirect-fired heaters with ductwork; and electric heaters for small tents |
If your patio is open and windy, reducing wind exposure with approved patio or sidewalls can significantly improve comfort and may reduce the amount of heating required.
Types of Outdoor Heaters
Outdoor-heating systems generally rely on radiant heat, heated airflow, or a combination of both. Radiant heaters warm people and surfaces directly, like sunlight. Forced-air heaters warm the air and blow it around. Our article on salamander vs. infrared heaters explains the difference in more detail.
| Heater Type | Fuel | Where it Works | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio Tower or Mushroom Heater
(radiant) |
Propane, 20lbs tank | Open and covered patios | Generally not permitted inside tents; follow required clearances |
| Wall or Ceiling Infrared Heater (radiant) | Electric or natural gas | Covered patios used all winter | Usually a permanent installation, and not a rental |
| Electric Forced-Air Heater | Electric | Enclosed patios, small tents, and covered areas | Needs the right circuits or a generator |
| Indirect-Fired heater | Propane,and natural gas or diesel | Event tents, enclosed patios, and large venues | Sits outside; needs a duct run and a small power supply for the fan |
| Direct-Fired Heater | Propane or natural gas | Construction sites | Exhaust goes into the air you breathe; and generally not appropriate for occupied guest spaces |
Why do event planners prefer indirect-fired heaters? The flame and exhaust stay outside the tent. Heated supply air enters the space while combustion exhaust remains outside. You can read more in our guide to direct vs. indirect-fired heaters.
How Many Outdoor Heaters Do You Need?
Open Patios
A standard 40,000 BTU propane patio heater may provide coverage for roughly 300 square feet under favorable conditions of open space, according to Ferrellgas. Use that as a starting point:
| Patio Size | Patio Heaters (about) |
|---|---|
| 300 sq ft (about 15ft × 20ft) | 1 |
| 600 sq ft (about 20ft × 30ft) | 2 |
| 1,200 sq ft (about 30ft × 40ft) | 4 |
| 2,000 sq ft (about 40ft × 50ft) | 6 to 7 |
Then adjust for your space. Windy conditions may require additional coverage or repositioning on the side the wind comes from. Place heaters strategically on the windward side of the seating area when site conditions allow, and adjust placement based on the actual forecast and prevailing wind direction. Place heaters near the edges of the seating area, not in the middle, so heat reaches the tables that get coldest.
Enclosed Patios and Event Tents
Enclosed spaces are sized by BTUs, not by counting patio heaters. The number depends on the square footage, how cold it will get that night, and how well the walls hold heat. A tent with sidewalls down needs far less heat than one with open sides.
The simplest way to get it right is to send us the tent or patio size, the date and the expected low temperature. We will size it for you. If you want to understand the math first, our guide on what size heater you need walks through how BTUs work.
Propane vs. Electric Outdoor Heaters
| Propane | Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Needed | None for patio heaters | Yes: the right outlets or a generator |
| Run Time | About 10 hours per 20lbs tank, depending on the heat setting (Ferrellgas) | Can operate continuously while adequate electrical power is available and equipment requirements are met. |
| Best For | Open patios without outlets nearby | Enclosed patios, covered areas, and small tents |
| Fumes | Must be used outdoors with open air | None |
| Fuel Handling | Tanks must be stored and swapped safely | No fuel to store |
For larger tents and venues, indirect-fired heaters give you the best of both. They run on propane, natural gas or diesel, but the burner stays outside and only warm air comes in.
Fire Code Rules and Permits in Texas
Most Texas cities base their fire code on the International Fire Code (IFC). Under IFC Section 603.4.2, portable outdoor gas-fired heaters, like propane patio towers, follow these rules (see this summary of the rules from a fire marshal’s office):
- Not allowed inside tents, canopies or membrane structures. This is an important requirement for event planners to verify.
- Not allowed inside a building while connected to the gas tank.
- Must be at least 5ft from buildings, exits, awnings, umbrellas and decorations that can burn.
- Must have a tip-over switch that shuts off the gas if the heater tilts.
- Gas tanks can be no larger than 20lbs, and tanks cannot be swapped while guests are present.
Tents add another step. Most cities require a permit for larger tents and want to approve any heating inside them. Call your local fire marshal’s office early, especially for weddings and holiday parties. If your plan uses an indirect-fired heater with the burner outside, tell them. Include the heater configuration in the permit or fire-marshal review.
For electric heaters, use outlets that can handle the load, avoid chaining extension cords together, and keep cords out of walkways. Every city sets its own rules, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with your fire marshal.
Planning Tips by Venue Type
Restaurants and Bars
- Turn heaters on 20 to 30 minutes before you open the patio so seats are warm when guests sit down.
- Add patio curtains or clear walls on the windy side. This may reduce the total heating load.
and guests will stay longer.
- Train staff not to move or refuel gas heaters while guests are seated.
- Rent for the coldest weeks instead of buying for the whole year. In most Texas cities, that is mid-December through February.
Wedding and Event Venues
- Book heaters when you book the tent. November and December fill up with holiday parties.
- Walk the site with your tent company and heater supplier. Decide where the heater sits outside and where the duct enters the tent.
- Plan for fuel and power. Confirm who refills fuel during a long event and whether you need a generator.
- Place heaters and ducts away from the stage, dance floor and walkways.
Are you planning an outdoor wedding? Our tips for a wedding reception in bad weather cover more of what to think about.
Corporate Events and Holiday Parties
- Schedule delivery and setup at least a few hours before guests arrive so the space has time to warm up.
- Ask for pickup the next morning if your event runs late.
- For multi-day events, plan fuel deliveries in advance.
Should You Rent or Buy Outdoor Heaters?
| Rent if… | Buy if… |
|---|---|
| You heat a space for a few events or a few weeks a year | Your patio is busy most nights from November to March |
| You need large heaters for tents or enclosed spaces | You only need a few small patio heaters |
| You want delivery, setup and pickup handled for you | You have staff to maintain heaters and handle fuel |
| You prefer not to store equipment during the off-season | You have dry storage space for the off-season |
Many restaurants do both: they own a few patio heaters for everyday use and rent larger units for the coldest weeks or for private events. Our article on buying vs. renting a heater goes into the costs.
Your Outdoor Heating Checklist
Have these answers ready when you call for a quote.This information helps the rental provider size and configure the system more efficiently. and helps us recommend the right setup.
- Size of the space (length and width) and whether it has a roof or walls.
- Event date and hours, or how many weeks you need heat.
- Expected number of guests.
- Power available on site: outlet types, or whether you will have a generator.
- Fuel preference, if you have one.
- Whether you need a tent permit or fire marshal approval.
- Delivery address and any access limits, like gate sizes or loading times.
How Preferred Climate Solutions Can Help
We are a Texas-owned company that has rented heating and cooling equipment since 2007. For outdoor spaces, we rent electric heaters and indirect-fired heaters, including Campo Blaze units, with portable ductwork that sends warm air into tents and enclosed patios.
- Help sizing your space, to help match equipment capacity to the space and application
- Delivery, setup and pickup from our locations in Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Oklahoma City.
- 24/7 support if something goes wrong during an event.
If you have a small open patio, a few patio-style heaters may be all you need. If you are heating an event tent, an enclosed patio or a large venue, that is where our tent heater rentals and commercial heaters fit best.
Holiday dates book up fast. Call 844.738.9736 or request a quote to reserve heaters for your patio or event. Are you planning ahead for spring and summer events too? See our event air conditioning rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much area does a patio heater cover?
A standard 40,000 BTU propane patio heater warms about 300 square feet of open space. Wind, open sides and very cold nights reduce that, so allow for reduced coverage under windy or colder conditions.
Can I use propane patio heaters inside a tent?
Not under the fire code most Texas cities use. Portable outdoor gas-fired heaters aren’t allowed inside tents, canopies or membrane structures. For tents, use an indirect-fired heater that stays outside and ducts warm air in, or electric heaters for small tents.
How far should patio heaters be from a building?
At least 5ft from buildings, exits, awnings, umbrellas and anything else that can burn. Check the heater label and your local fire code for any extra distances.
How long does a propane tank last in a patio heater?
A 20lbs tank runs a typical patio heater for about 10 hours, depending on the heat setting and the weather.
How far ahead should I book heaters for an event?
For November and December events, book two to four weeks ahead, and earlier for weekends. Holiday parties and weddings fill up the calendar fast.