Outdoor commercial heating: extend the trading season
Outdoor heat is a revenue decision, not a comfort one: every week you keep the terrace usable is trading income you would otherwise lose. The only physics that works outside is radiant — heat delivered straight to the guest before the wind can take it.
How much does it cost to run a commercial patio heater?
A 2 kW electric radiant heater costs roughly 49p an hour at 24.5p/kWh. Gas patio heaters typically consume 10–13 kW and cost noticeably more per hour of heat delivered to guests.
The problem with outdoor hospitality heating
Outdoors there is no envelope at all, so heating air is pointless. Gas patio heaters also carry cylinder handling, refill logistics and a poor carbon story that increasingly matters to venues.
Zoning strategy: Heat per table or per seating bay, on occupancy or push-button control.
Options compared
| System | Verdict | Upfront | Running |
|---|---|---|---|
Infrared / radiant panels Short-wave or shortwave-plus radiant units aimed at seating; instant, silent, no cylinders. | Best fit | Low | Medium |
Gas patio heaters Familiar and portable, but cylinder swaps, storage rules and roughly double the CO2 per useful kWh. | Viable | Low | High |
Fire pits and chimineas Atmospheric and popular, but uncontrolled output, smoke complaints and a staffing burden. | Poor fit | Low | Medium |
Outdoor fan heaters Heats air that the next gust removes entirely. | Poor fit | Low | Very high |
Indicative annual heating cost — 80 m², older / poorly insulated
Degree-day method at UK average 2000 HDD, Ofgem price cap (indicative, 2026). Whole-space figures — zoning typically cuts these substantially.
- Infrared panels£1,761/yr
- Air-source heat pump£706/yr
- Gas central heating£635/yr
- Old electric / storage heaters£2,258/yr
What outdoor hospitality heating costs to install
- Per table / two-seat bay£250 – £700
One wall or post-mounted radiant unit.
- Covered terrace (30–60 covers)£3,000 – £9,000
Zoned radiant with timers or push-button guest control.
- Full outdoor scheme with canopy power£12,000+
Includes electrical distribution and controls for year-round trading.
Outdoor commercial heating: FAQs
Reviewed by the Infrared Heat Solutions technical team · Last updated July 2026 · Data sources: Open-Meteo, Ofgem, Energy Saving Trust