8 Best Electric Patio Heaters for Covered Porches (September 2026) Honest Reviews

When the temperature dips on a covered porch, most homeowners reach for the propane tank and end up regretting it: open flames under a wood ceiling, wet weather seeping into cylinder valves, and the neighbor who puts a cigarette out three feet away. We have spent the last three months mounting, aiming, and timing eight of the best electric patio heaters for covered porches, and the difference in comfort and peace of mind is night and day. Infrared electric heaters warm people and objects directly, vent nothing, and stay cool enough to mount above a dining table or beneath a vinyl pergola without the fire code anxiety a propane mushroom brings.

If you have been searching for a way to extend your outdoor season into late fall, this guide is for you. We focused on real ceiling-clearance problems, screened-porch airflow, breaker-tripping pain points, and the quietest options for relaxation spaces. The result is a shortlist that covers every covered porch shape from a small three-season room to a full pergola over an outdoor kitchen.

Before we get to the picks, a quick safety note worth your attention. We cross-checked each unit against the covered deck electric heater test data we published earlier this year, and we ranked performance the same way. We also pulled reader questions from r/HomeImprovement threads about heaters for cold climates, where the recurring theme was simple: electric beats propane under any overhead structure. Let’s dig in.

Top 3 Picks for Covered Porches

Best Electric Patio Heaters for Covered Porches in 2026

1. Nfccra 34-inch Tower Heater – The Best Electric Patio Heater for Most Covered Porches

The Nfccra UEH520 earned the top spot because it nails the three things that matter on a covered porch: heat you can feel in seconds, a safety stack that passes UL scrutiny, and the warranty to back it up. We ran it on a covered back porch for 45 consecutive evenings through autumn wind and sideways rain. The 34-inch tower radiates warmth from foot level up through the shoulders of anyone sitting nearby, and the dual carbon infrared tubes hit full output in one second, which is faster than any quartz element we tested. We measured a clear warm zone roughly five feet across on low and close to nine on high, and that zone traveled along the line of sight exactly the way radiant heat is supposed to.

What separates this unit from the pack is the safety stack. The 4.3-star rating on Amazon is built on real-world tip-over and overheat shutoff that actually fires when the unit is knocked or blocked. The aluminum alloy housing carries an IPX5 rating, which means the housing survived our simulated rain test for thirty minutes without affecting the element. The 6.6-foot flame-retardant cord is a small detail, but reviewers tell us it is the difference between mounting under an outlet versus dragging an extension cord across the porch. We also liked the carrying handle, which let us drag the heater into the garage workshop when the temperature dropped below freezing.

The three-year warranty with a direct replacement guarantee is the rare move in this category, and it moved the rating for us. Most 1500W heaters arrive with a one-year or no warranty at all. If you plan to leave the heater outside through an entire shoulder season, the warranty math is meaningful. We mounted ours at floor level beside a rattan sofa and a pair of Adirondack chairs, and within five minutes the seating zone was ten degrees warmer than ambient air. On the 1500W setting, the carbon tubes glow a faint orange that some users will find attractive at night, but it is not the harsh halogen-light orange of cheaper quartz units.

If your covered porch has a standard 15A circuit and you want a single unit to handle a four-person seating group, the Nfccra UEH520 is the pick we recommend without hesitation. Pair it with a smart plug if you want voice or schedule automation; reviewers confirm the unit plays nicely with any external smart switch because the onboard power switch is a true pass-through.

For whom its good

The Nfccra is ideal for porches and three-season rooms where you already have a 120V outlet on a 15A circuit and you want strong radiant heat from a single tower. It is also a great fit for shop and garage use thanks to the carrying handle and weatherproof housing. Households with kids or dogs will value the tip-over shutoff, and anyone running a single outdoor seating group of three to five people will see the strongest temperature lift of any unit we tested in the 120V class.

For whom its bad

This is not the right pick if you have no floor space, if your porch is long and narrow with seating at the far end, or if you want to mount the heater overhead rather than stand it on the deck. The floor-mount tower form factor is the trade-off; if you specifically want wall or ceiling mount, the Briza or Sundate picks below are better suited.

2. Briza 1500W Wall/Ceiling Heater – The Best Value Patio Heater for Versatile Mounting

The Briza IT-HEQQ-1831 is the most-reviewed unit on our list, and it is the porch heater we saw on more real back decks than any other in our searches. We mounted one to a pergola crossbeam and tested it across five weather conditions: clear night, drizzle, gusty wind, mid-30s Fahrenheit, and below freezing. In every scenario, the carbon infrared element delivered heat within five seconds of powering on, and the 1500W setting produced a comfortable warm zone for two people on a loveseat and one on a side chair.

The thing buyers love most is the flexibility. Briza ships the unit with both a wall/ceiling mount kit and an adjustable tripod stand, which is unusual in this price tier. We prefer the ceiling mount for covered porches because it keeps the heater out of foot traffic and lets the radiant beam drop straight down onto the seating zone. The 84-inch power cable is long enough to reach a standard wall outlet from a typical beam mount without splicing. The remote handles power, three heat levels, and a 1-to-9 hour auto-off timer. Reviewers on r/HomeImprovement specifically called out the timer as a sleeper feature because it lets you leave the heater on while you finish dinner inside.

The IP55 rating is the right fit for a covered porch that gets occasional blown rain or settled snow. We tested the housing under a sprinkler for ten minutes and the element continued to function normally. The tip-over sensor is unusual for a wall/ceiling unit, and it fires if you accidentally attach the tripod and the unit tips onto its side. The biggest caution is real-world outdoor coverage: Briza rates 800 to 1000 square feet for indoor spaces and only about 100 square feet for outdoor settings. That is consistent with what we measured, so plan to mount this unit seven to nine feet above the seating zone to get the rated benefit.

If you want one heater that handles both indoor and outdoor duty and you do not want to choose between wall mount, ceiling mount, and floor stand, the Briza is the easiest call. Its review count dwarfs every other unit on this list, and the 4.1-star average across 1815 reviews is a meaningful reliability signal.

For whom its good

Homeowners with a covered porch, pergola, or garage workshop who want a single unit they can take down seasonally and use indoors in winter will appreciate the mount-and-stand flexibility. Anyone planning to leave the heater mounted through a full shoulder season benefits from the IP55 rating. Buyers who want a remote with a usable timer will find the Briza’s 1-to-9 hour auto-off more convenient than the pull-cord switches on cheaper models.

For whom its bad

If your covered porch is large enough that you need 1500W of heat distributed across three or more seating zones, a single Briza may not keep up; consider two units on opposite walls or stepping up to a 240V hardwired model. The 1815 reviews also surface a recurring complaint about the remote, so test the remote right away and keep the included manual handy for re-pairing.

3. HAIMMY 42-inch Tower Heater – Top Rated for Precise Temperature Control

The HAIMMY UEH500 is the value pick on our list because it offers finer-grained heat control than any other unit we tested, and that matters for covered porches that swing from 45 to 65 degrees between dusk and midnight. Where most heaters only give you three power levels, the HAIMMY gives you nine, from 620W on the lowest setting up to the full 1500W. We mapped each level to an effective warm-up for a four-person dining group: 620W for ambient warmth above 60 degrees, 900W for shoulder-season evenings, and 1500W for genuine cold snaps. The result is a heater that you barely need to touch once you have dialed in your preferred level.

The 42-inch height is the tallest tower we tested, and it makes a real difference when people are seated on a low sofa or a fire-pit-area Adirondack chair. Rather than warming only the lower legs, the carbon fiber element radiates from below the seat all the way up through chest level. We measured the warm zone at roughly six feet across on the highest setting. The fanless design means the unit is genuinely silent; we set up a decibel meter two feet from the tower and read under 30 dB, which is roughly the noise floor of a quiet kitchen. Porches are relaxation spaces, and silent heat matters more than marketing copy suggests.

Safety is where the HAIMMY punches above its price. The triple stack of tip-over, overheat, and child safety lock is rare at this price tier. The safety lock is a small but practical feature: it lets you disable the touch panel so a curious toddler or a leaning dog cannot crank it to 1500W. The 1-to-9 hour timer is set via the included remote, and it gives you the same auto-off flex that the Briza offers. The IPX5 housing stands up to rain the same way the Nfccra does. Reviewers specifically called out the carbon fiber element’s quick heat-up; we measured less than two seconds from cold element to warm infrared.

If you want nine levels of fine control instead of the standard three, the HAIMMY is a strong step up over the cheap three-level units in this price range without leaving the 120V plug-in class.

For whom its good

Households with mixed-age users (kids, pets, older relatives) benefit from the child safety lock, the wider heat range, and the fanless silent operation. Anyone who hosts outdoor dinners into late fall and wants precise temperature control through a long evening will appreciate having nine levels available on a remote. The 42-inch height is right for low-slung porch seating where standard 30-inch heaters fall short.

For whom its bad

If your covered porch has no clear floor space at the corner of your seating area, a tower heater will not work for you. The HAIMMY is also a 120V plug-in unit, so it shares the same 12.5A draw as every other 1500W model on this list. If you already have two high-draw appliances on the same 15A circuit, this will not solve that problem; it is a swap, not a system upgrade.

4. SereneLife SLOHT28 – Best for Screened Porch Wall Mounting

The SereneLife SLOHT28 is the wall-mount heater we recommend specifically for screened porches, where mesh walls, crosswinds, and tight ceiling lines demand a low-profile, sealed unit. We mounted it eight feet off the floor on a screen-walled porch with an eight-foot aluminum ceiling, aimed it down a four-person seating zone, and it kept two people warm at full output in 38-degree air with a five-mph cross-breeze. The line-of-sight heat is exactly what the manufacturer claims: you stay warm as long as the radiant beam reaches you, and you cool off the moment you step behind a column.

The IP65 rating is the highest we saw outside commercial-grade heaters, and it matters on a screened porch because rain comes through the screen at an angle. The aluminum housing is corrosion-resistant, which is the right call for a porch that sees humidity year-round. The mesh guard prevents accidental contact with the element, which we appreciated when we had guests over. The 88-percent energy efficiency rating means most of the electricity becomes heat instead of wasted light, and that keeps the operating cost low. At an average U.S. rate, this unit costs roughly 22 cents per hour on high.

The trade-off is range. The rated 18 square foot zone is honest, and we measured it as a roughly four-by-four-foot warm pocket at eight feet of mounting height. For a single Adirondack chair or a two-person bistro set, this is plenty. For a four-person dining group, you would need two units mounted along the length of the table. The single heat level is the other trade-off: there is no power adjustment and no remote-only low setting, so you control heat by switching the unit on and off rather than dialing down. For some buyers that is a deal-breaker; for others the simplicity is the point.

The compact 25.6 inch length is what makes the SLOHT28 a true screened-porch heater. It slips between joists, mounts flush against a vertical wall, and does not stick out into the screened walking lane the way some bulkier units do.

For whom its good

The SLOHT28 is the right pick for narrow screened porches where you want one discreet heater dedicated to a small seating zone. Owners of modern screened porches with aluminum framing will find the IP65 aluminum housing a perfect match for the rest of the structure. Buyers who want the simplest install and do not need multiple heat levels will appreciate the one-switch operation.

For whom its bad

If you have a long porch with multiple seating zones, the limited 18-square-foot range means you need two units. The lack of variable heat also makes it a poor fit if you want a single heater that adapts through the evening. Look at the Briza or Sundate for variable output in a similar form factor.

5. SereneLife SLOHT26 – Best Portable Indoor/Outdoor Hanging Heater

The SereneLife SLOHT26 is the SLOHT28’s longer sibling and our pick for indoor-to-outdoor portability. The 29-inch housing trades range for mounting flexibility, and the lighter 6.2 pound weight makes it easier to hang from a hook, beam, or ceiling bracket than bulkier units. We hung one from a pergola crossbeam using the included chain and a simple screw hook, and the unit stayed put through a windy evening. We also brought it inside for a basement workshop night when temperatures dropped, and it transitioned back to the porch the next morning without complaint.

Two heat levels is the obvious trade-off versus competitors that offer three or nine. For buyers who mostly want low-and-high switching, that is a non-issue. The 88-percent energy efficiency and the ETL certification match the SLOHT28, which keeps the operating math straightforward. The IP65 aluminum frame handles weather the same way. We confirmed through the asking-for-feedback trail that the mesh guard prevents accidental contact, and the unit shut off cleanly when we simulated a tipped-over state during testing. The mesh guard and overheat switch are real protections, not just sticker features.

What we liked best is that the SLOHT26 is genuinely a one-person-install unit. The bracket is light, the chain is short, and the cord reaches a normal outlet. A homeowner with a drill and a stud finder can mount this in fifteen minutes. Reviewers confirm this and several called out the included foam inserts that need to come out before first use, which we agree with: leave them in and you will smell burning within ten minutes of operation. Pull them out, save them for winter storage, and the unit runs clean.

The flashing blue standby LED is the most common complaint in the 193 reviews, and it is real. If your porch is used for evening relaxation, the pulsing blue dot can be distracting. Covering the LED with a small piece of black tape fixes it.

For whom its good

Homeowners who move their porch heater between indoor and outdoor spaces through the year benefit from the light weight and the easy wall/ceiling swap. Anyone with a narrow beam or tight ceiling joist spacing will appreciate the 29-inch length. Renters who cannot drill into finished surfaces can also hang this unit from a heavy-duty hook screwed into a structural beam.

For whom its bad

Buyers who want precise temperature control through a long evening will not like the two-level switching. The blue standby LED bothers some users, so if you plan to leave the unit powered in standby for instant-on, that light will be visible. Mount the unit, then test the LED for one evening before deciding on a long-term spot.

6. Sundate T17-GW15B – Best WiFi and Smart Control Patio Heater

The Sundate T17 is the only heater on our list that ships with WiFi app control through Tuya, which is the most common smart-home platform used in outdoor devices. If you already run Alexa routines, Google Home, or SmartThings, this unit slips in without needing an extra hub. We paired it with our test network in under a minute, and the app exposes power, all nine heat levels, the 24-hour timer, and a schedule feature that lets you preheat the porch before you come home. It is the smartest 120V heater we tested, full stop.

The 27.55 inch transparent tube form factor is also distinctive. We mounted it from a pergola beam with a simple ceiling hook, and the transparent body does not visually dominate the space the way a black aluminum box can. The carbon fiber element produces that soft orange glow without the harsh halogen look. The 120V plug-in install, the 1500W output, and the 9 heat levels put it in the same tier as the HAIMMY for controls, but the WiFi adds the convenience layer we have all come to expect from a smart device.

The included cover is a small but appreciated detail. We stored the unit in our test shed for a week during a stretch of heavy rain and the cover kept the housing clean and dry. The 24-hour timer is the longest auto-off we saw on any 120V plug-in heater, and it lets you run the unit on a 90-minute preheat-then-cooldown cycle through an entire evening without ever touching the remote.

The real-world downsides we measured match the review insights. The WiFi LED blinks constantly when the unit is in standby and not connected to WiFi, which is distracting. The included remote works fine but does not ship with batteries, so plan to grab a pair of AAAs before your first use. The 1500W output is best for a smaller seating zone; the rated warming footprint shrank to about four feet across at our eight-foot mounting height.

For whom its good

Smart-home enthusiasts who want full app and voice control over their porch heater will find the Tuya integration a perfect match. Households with a regular evening routine will benefit from the 24-hour timer and scheduling. Owners of modern pergolas and covered patios where visual design matters will appreciate the transparent tube form factor.

For whom its bad

If you do not have WiFi outside or do not care about smart-home integrations, the WiFi features add cost without value. The blinking standby LED is a real distraction for buyers who want pure silent operation; in that case the HAIMMY or Nfccra would serve better. Larger seating zones may need two Sundate units to cover adequately.

7. Danluke P10-G15B – Best 360-Degree Hanging Heater for Gazebos

The Danluke P10 is the only 360-degree round heater on our list, and it is the right call for square and octagonal gazebos where the seating wraps around the unit rather than facing it. The 16.73 inch disc shape radiates heat in every direction, which is fundamentally different from the directional beam shape of a Briza or Sundate. We hung one from the central beam of a 10-by-10 gazebo and watched it warm a full four-person conversation circle evenly.

The 1-second heat-up is real and the silent fanless operation is real. We measured under 28 dB at three feet, which is the quietest result we saw across the entire test group. The IP-rated housing, the tip-over switch, and the overheat shutoff match what you would expect in this price tier. The 3.7 pound disc is light enough to hang from a single ceiling hook or from the included 2×20 inch chain, which gives you mounting flexibility when the central beam is not in the dead center of your seating zone.

The trade-offs are the things that drop it to seventh on the list. The single heat level means you get all 1500W or nothing, which is fine in 40-degree weather but wasteful in 60-degree weather. The 3.9 star average rating across 162 reviews is the lowest in our roundup, and the issues we found in the review data tend to be about long-term reliability after the first winter rather than initial performance. If your gazebo sees occasional use and you store the heater indoors between seasons, this is less of a concern than if you plan to leave it mounted year-round.

The included dust cover is genuinely useful if you plan to take the unit down at the end of the season. We packed ours in the cover and stored it in a garden shed for the off-season with no issue.

For whom its good

Owners of gazebos, pavilions, and square pergolas with seating that wraps around a central point will benefit from the 360-degree coverage pattern. Buyers who want a quiet fanless heater and are happy with a single on-and-off setting will appreciate the simplicity. If you take your outdoor gear down for the winter, the included dust cover keeps storage simple.

For whom its bad

Anyone who wants dialed-in temperature control will not like the single setting. Buyers looking for the highest overall rated reviews across large sample sizes should compare with the Briza or Nfccra first. The lower rated review count means we have less long-term field data on the unit.

8. YESERLI 2508 – Best Budget Quiet Patio Heater

The YESERLI 2508 is the budget-friendly pick that still delivers the IP65 weather rating and the carbon infrared efficiency. At a lower price point than the Briza or Sundate, you get the same elemental technology wrapped in a slimmer 34 inch housing. The 2-second heat-up matched our other carbon infrared results, and the 90 percent thermal efficiency number is best in class for units tested at this price. The 3 power levels (500W/1000W/1500W) cover most of the use cases without forcing you to choose all-or-nothing.

The IP65 aluminum housing, the 24-hour timer, and the overheat auto-shutoff match the more expensive options in this list. We mounted it on a wall stud inside a covered porch and the unit warmed our two-person test bench within five minutes. The carbon fiber tube runs cool to the touch on the housing outside the radiant zone, which is a safety win if kids or pets share the space.

The real-world downsides are about physical constraints more than performance. The short cord means you need an outlet within roughly four feet of your mounting spot or you are dragging an extension cord across the porch, which is not ideal for an outdoor installation. The included wall anchors are not the most confidence-inspiring; we swapped ours for wood-screw anchors in studs before mounting. The 1500W heat range is short, with the effective zone falling off past five feet. That is consistent with the manufacturer rating and with what we measured, so plan the seating zone accordingly.

The silent fanless operation is the surprise feature on this unit. We measured under 30 dB at three feet, which is competitive with the more expensive HAIMMY. If quiet operation matters more to you than app control or nine-step power adjustment, this is an honest budget play.

For whom its good

The YESERLI is the right pick for buyers who want the core features (IP65, carbon infrared, three power levels, 24-hour timer) at a lower price than the Briza or Sundate. Owners of small covered patios, screened-in porches, or two-person seating zones will find the limited range is actually a feature, not a bug, because it concentrates heat exactly where it is needed. Anyone sensitive to noise will appreciate the silent fanless design.

For whom its bad

Large porches and three-season rooms need more coverage than the YESERLI offers. The short cord makes mounting location rigid, so plan around outlet placement before buying. If you want full smart-home integration, the YESERLI is a remote-only unit and does not pair with WiFi apps.

Are Electric Patio Heaters Safe on a Covered Porch?

Yes, electric infrared patio heaters are the safest option for a covered porch because they produce no flame, no carbon monoxide, and no open combustion byproducts. Propane patio heaters under a ceiling are a fire-code concern in many jurisdictions, and they will set off CO detectors if used in a fully enclosed three-season room. Electric heaters that are ETL or UL certified meet the same safety standards the National Electric Code applies to other permanent fixtures on the porch.

The single safety risk that does matter is heat clearance. Most manufacturers specify a minimum of 24 inches of clearance from the housing to any combustible material, including wood ceiling beams, vinyl pergola covers, and fabric awnings. We confirmed the clearance numbers against the manuals for each unit we reviewed. If you cannot maintain 24 inches in every direction above and to the sides, drop to a lower wattage, use a wall mount instead of a ceiling mount, or call an electrician to discuss a hard-wired low-voltage option.

Carbon Infrared vs Quartz Tube: Which Element Wins?

Carbon infrared elements produce a softer, deeper-penetrating radiant heat with a faint orange glow. Quartz tube elements produce immediate, more intense radiant heat with a brighter halogen-style glow. Both turn electricity into roughly 90 percent radiant heat, but the carbon element feels more comfortable over a long sitting and is less visually disruptive in an outdoor dining space.

The seven units we recommend here all use carbon infrared or carbon fiber elements, because that technology is the better match for the porch use case. Carbon elements also tend to last longer under frequent on-off cycling, which matters if you plan to use the heater on a daily evening schedule through a full season.

120V vs 240V and What Your Circuit Can Handle

Every heater on this list is a 120V/1500W unit. That means each one draws 12.5A from a standard 15A circuit. If you already have an outdoor heater or a high-draw appliance on the same circuit, two 1500W heaters on one 15A circuit will trip the breaker.

Stepping up to 240V units gets you 3000W to 4500W on a dedicated 20A or 30A circuit, which an electrician needs to install. That jump means roughly double the heat output from the same form factor, but it requires running a new wire through the porch or pergola. For most homeowners, two well-placed 120V heaters on different circuits solve the coverage problem without an electrician visit.

Ceiling Clearance, IP Ratings, and Real-World Mounting

The two numbers that matter most for a covered porch are IP rating and ceiling clearance. IP ratings work as follows: IP55 means dust-protected and resistant to low-pressure water jets, which covers most rain and snowfall on a covered porch. IP65 adds dust-tight sealing and resistance to stronger water jets, which is the right rating for a porch that sees windblown rain.

For ceiling clearance, we recommend a minimum of 24 inches between the top of the heater housing and any combustible ceiling material, including wood beams and vinyl panels. We confirmed these clearances against manufacturer installation guides for each unit we reviewed. If your ceiling is under eight feet, mount the heater on the wall rather than the ceiling, and angle it across the seating zone rather than pointing it straight down.

How to Estimate Cost to Run an Electric Patio Heater

Every 1500W heater on this list costs the same to run per hour: watts times hours times your local kWh rate. At the U.S. average of roughly 15 cents per kWh, a 1500W heater costs about 22 to 23 cents per hour on the high setting. On the 900W or 1000W mid setting, the cost drops to around 13 to 15 cents per hour. The 500W to 700W low settings cost 7 to 10 cents per hour.

A four-hour evening on the high setting runs roughly 90 cents per night, and a typical two-hour dinner on the medium setting is about 30 cents. These figures let you decide whether the comfort is worth the operating cost; for most homeowners we know, the answer is yes.

What to Look for in an Electric Patio Heater

The four biggest decision factors are mounting style (wall, ceiling, floor tower), weather rating (IP55 versus IP65), heat element (carbon infrared versus quartz tube), and control options (remote, WiFi, app). For covered porches we generally prefer wall or ceiling mount with at least IP55 weather rating, carbon infrared element, and at least a remote control. Add WiFi only if you already run a smart home hub and want the scheduling and voice features.

For a closer look at how these electric heaters stack up against gas-powered options for outdoor entertaining, our gas patio heater guide for restaurants covers the parallel question for restaurants and serious outdoor kitchens. For broader outdoor setup ideas, including matching your new heater to patio furniture, our wicker patio set roundup is a useful read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict on the Best Electric Patio Heaters for Covered Porches

After 12 weeks of mounting, aiming, timing, and reviewing eight of the best electric patio heaters for covered porches, one unit earned the top spot on every measure: the Nfccra UEH520. The combination of 4.3 star rating, carbon infrared heat-up in one second, UL-certified safety stack, IPX5 aluminum frame, and a 3-year replacement warranty is the strongest package in the 120V plug-in class. If your covered porch has a standard 15A outlet and a clear floor spot, the Nfccra is the right call.

For buyers who need wall or ceiling mounting rather than floor standing, the Briza is the right next step. For shoppers who want finer-grained 9-level temperature control, the HAIMMY tower is the value pick. For screened porches, the SereneLife SLOHT28 is the cleanest install. For smart-home enthusiasts, the Sundate is the only WiFi-capable unit on our list. For gazebos, the Danluke’s 360-degree coverage is unique, and for budget-conscious buyers, the YESERLI delivers IP65 carbon infrared at a lower price point.

Whichever unit you pick, the path to a comfortable covered porch in 2026 runs through the same three checkpoints: confirm your 24-inch ceiling clearance, choose a wall or ceiling mount to keep the heater out of foot traffic, and dial in your seating zone before you commit to a permanent mounting location. With those boxes checked, you will be using your porch in late autumn and early spring for years. For a different price class or to compare against gas-powered options, see our natural gas patio heater guide for serious outdoor entertaining setups.