A covered patio is the best place to put a heater and the easiest place to put the wrong one. The roof that keeps the rain off also traps combustion gases, holds radiant heat against the ceiling, and sets a hard limit on how far below it a heater can hang. We install patio heaters under pergolas in Nassau County, on covered roof decks in Brooklyn, in screened lanais in Jupiter and on restaurant patios in Westchester, and the covered ones follow a different set of rules than the open-air ones.
This guide is specifically about covered spaces: electric versus gas under a roof, the mounting heights and clearances in the Bromic and Infratech manuals, recess kits for a flush ceiling, 240V wiring, controls, pergola materials, and a worked sizing example for a 12 by 16 foot patio. For the broader electric versus gas comparison across every kind of space, start with our patio heater buying guide and come back here for the covered patio specifics.
The short answer
For a covered patio or pergola, electric infrared is almost always the right answer. Electric heaters produce no combustion gases, hang only 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling, and Infratech or Bromic units can be wall mounted as low as 72 inches, ceiling mounted at 96 inches, or recessed flush into an 8 foot ceiling. Gas heaters need 8 feet to the floor, 3 feet of clearance above the heater to combustibles (14 inches with a Bromic heat shield), and an enclosure that is at least 25 percent open wall area once you have more than two walls. For a 12 by 16 foot covered patio, plan on two 4,000 to 6,000 watt 240V electric heaters on a dimmer, not one big gas unit.
Key takeaways
- Under a roof, electric wins on clearances: Infratech wants 12 inches to the ceiling wall mounted and 6 inches ceiling mounted; Bromic gas wants 3 feet above the heater (14 inches with its heat shield) and 8 feet to the floor.
- Bromic electric heaters can be wall mounted at 72 inches from the floor and ceiling mounted at 96 inches. Infratech publishes 7 to 12 feet for its W and WD series, with the 1,500 watt W-15 usable as low as 6 feet.
- Coverage per heater is modest: 65 to 160 square feet for Bromic electric, 25 to 121 square feet for Infratech. Most covered patios need two or more heaters, aimed from opposite sides.
- Gas under a roof is allowed but constrained: Bromic requires 25 percent of total wall area fully open plus 30 percent of the rest open once there are more than two walls, and the heater must be under cover from rain.
- Every 240V heater is hard wired by a licensed electrician on its own breaker. Budget for the wiring and the controls, not just the fixture.
- Recess kits (Bromic Platinum and Tungsten) and Infratech flush mount frames give a flat ceiling look but need 7 to 8 inches of cavity and a flat, non-sloped ceiling.
In this guide
- At a glance: electric vs gas under a roof
- Why is electric usually the answer for a covered patio?
- What are the mounting heights and clearances?
- How much area does one heater cover?
- Sizing a 12 by 16 foot covered patio
- Recess kits and flush mounting
- 240V wiring and controls
- Aluminum, wood or fabric: what the pergola is made of
- When does gas make sense under a roof?
- Our recommended models
- Which should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
At a glance: electric vs gas under a roof
| Electric infrared (Infratech, Bromic) | Gas infrared (Bromic Platinum, Tungsten) | |
|---|---|---|
| Combustion gases | None | Yes; open wall area required |
| Clearance above heater | Infratech 12 in. wall mount, 6 in. ceiling mount; Bromic Tungsten 9.84 to 13 in. face to ceiling | 3 ft to combustibles, 14 in. with Bromic heat shield |
| Minimum height to floor | Bromic 72 in. wall, 96 in. ceiling; Infratech 6 to 8 ft depending on listing | 96 in. (8 ft) |
| Practical ceiling height | 8 ft works, including flush recess | Roughly 10 ft and up |
| Coverage per heater | 25 to 160 sq ft | 160 to 215 sq ft |
| Output control | Dimmable 0 to 100 percent | Full output only (Infratech's point, and true of Bromic gas) |
| Utility | 240V hard wired circuit per heater | Natural gas line or propane; NYC propane limits apply |
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Why is electric usually the answer for a covered patio?
Three reasons, and the first one is the only one that matters if your roof is low.
Clearance. An Infratech W or WD series fixture wall mounted on a bracket needs 12 inches to the ceiling. Ceiling mounted, 6 inches. Infratech's FAQ makes the comparison directly: its surface mounted heaters hang less than 9.5 inches from the ceiling, while a gas heater needs a ceiling of "almost 10 feet" and hangs almost 24 inches below it. Bromic's gas clearance table says the same thing in numbers: 3 feet from the top of the heater to combustibles without a heat shield, 14 inches with one, and 8 feet from the heater to the ground. Stack that up under a typical 8 to 9 foot patio ceiling and gas simply does not fit.
No combustion byproducts. Electric elements produce no carbon monoxide, no water vapor and no odor. Bromic's gas manual only allows installation in a partially enclosed space when the opening rules are met (more on that below). A screened porch with a solid roof is the exact case where a gas heater becomes a problem and an electric one does not.
Control. Every electric heater we sell can be dimmed from zero to full on an Infratech INF regulator or a Bromic Affinity dimmer. Gas heaters run at one output. Under a roof, where the heat is retained and reflected, being able to drop to 50 percent is the difference between comfortable and roasted.
From our install team
The most common covered patio call we get is a homeowner who bought a freestanding propane mushroom heater for the porch and watched the ceiling paint discolor over one season. Those units are built for open air. Under a roof the heat has nowhere to go but up. We move the heat source to the ceiling or the wall, point it down at the people, and the ceiling stops cooking.
What are the mounting heights and clearances?
These are the figures we work from on every covered patio layout. Always confirm against the current manual for your exact model; the recess kits in particular have their own tables.
| Heater | Min height to floor | Above / ceiling | Sides and front | Angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infratech W / WD / C / CD | 6 ft (UL listed) to 8 ft (UL/cUL); recommended 7 to 12 ft by model | 12 in. wall mount, 6 in. ceiling mount, 6 in. behind | 18 in. to adjacent walls and combustibles, 36 in. in front | Wall 30 to 60 degrees down, ceiling up to 30 degrees, about 45 suggested |
| Bromic Platinum Electric | 72 in. wall, 96 in. ceiling; 94 to 96 in. recessed | Per clearance diagram; recess kit needs 7.1 in. above the box | 39.4 in. in front; 20 in. between heaters; 20 in. recess cutout to wall | Up to 30 degrees either way on wall bracket; straight only when recessed |
| Bromic Tungsten Electric | 72 in. wall, 96 in. ceiling | 9.84 in. face to ceiling (2000 and 3000W), 13 in. (4000 and 6000W) | 3 ft to side combustibles, 3 ft in front, 20 in. between heaters | 15, 30 or 45 degrees, face angled down |
| Bromic Platinum / Tungsten Gas | 96 in. (8 ft) | 3 ft to combustibles; 14 in. with heat shield 2620165 or 2620166 | 3 ft to side combustibles | Ceiling pole must be perpendicular to the ground |
Two things trip people up. First, Infratech's manual carries both a 6 foot and an 8 foot floor minimum depending on which listing mark is on the label, and its coverage chart assumes 7 to 12 feet, so treat 7 feet as the practical floor for anything over 1,500 watts. Second, the angle matters more under a roof than in the open. A heater mounted flat against a 9 foot ceiling throws most of its energy straight down into a small circle; tilt it 30 to 45 degrees and the same heater warms the seating area instead of the floor in front of it.
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How much area does one heater cover?
Manufacturer coverage figures assume the heater is mounted in its recommended height range and aimed at the people. Under a roof you will usually do a little better than the chart; in wind or real cold you will do worse. Infratech says so on its own chart.
| Model | Watts / BTU | Coverage | Mounting height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infratech W-15 (33 in., 120V) | 1,500 W | 5 x 5 ft (25 sq ft) | 6 to 7 ft |
| Infratech W-30 (61.25 in.) | 3,000 W | 8 x 8 ft (64 sq ft) | 7 to 9 ft |
| Infratech WD-40 (39 in. dual) | 4,000 W | 8 x 10 ft (80 sq ft) | 8 to 10 ft |
| Infratech W-40 (61.25 in.) | 4,000 W | 10 x 10 ft (100 sq ft) | 8 to 10 ft |
| Infratech WD-60 (61.25 in. dual) | 6,000 W | 11 x 11 ft (121 sq ft) | 8 to 12 ft |
| Bromic Platinum Electric | 2,300 / 3,400 / 4,500 W | 65 / 108 / 143 sq ft | 72 in. wall, 96 in. ceiling minimum |
| Bromic Tungsten Electric | 2,000 / 3,000 / 4,000 / 6,000 W | 65 / 100 / 130 / 160 sq ft | 72 in. wall, 96 in. ceiling minimum |
| Bromic Platinum Gas 300 / 500 | 23,600 / 39,800 BTU | 160 / 215 sq ft | 8 ft to floor minimum |
| Bromic Tungsten Gas 300 / 500 | 26,000 / 43,000 BTU | Similar to Platinum by series | 8 ft to floor minimum |
The pattern to notice: a 120V plug-in heater covers a 5 by 5 foot spot and nothing more. Infratech says a 1,500 watt 120V unit is for areas "no larger than 5 x 5 feet." Anything you would call a patio needs 240V heaters, usually two of them.
Sizing a 12 by 16 foot covered patio
Take a common Long Island case: a 12 by 16 foot covered patio off the kitchen, 9 foot ceiling, open on two long sides, a dining table at one end and a sectional at the other. That is 192 square feet, but you do not heat square footage, you heat the two places people sit.
- Infratech option. Two 61.25 inch 6,000 watt dual element fixtures (11 by 11 feet each on the chart) mounted on the wall side of the patio at 8 to 9 feet, angled 30 to 45 degrees toward the table and the sofa. Or two W-4024 singles at 10 by 10 each if the ceiling is on the low side.
- Bromic option. Two Tungsten Electric 6,000 watt units (160 square feet each) or three Platinum Electric 3,400 watt units (108 square feet each), keeping 20 inches between heaters.
- Gas option. One Platinum 500 gas covers 215 square feet on paper, but with a 9 foot ceiling you cannot get 8 feet to the floor and 3 feet (or 14 inches with the shield) above the heater. It would need a 10 foot plus ceiling and the two open sides to satisfy the enclosure rule. On this patio, gas is out.
Electrically, the Infratech pair is two 25 amp 240V circuits; the Bromic Tungsten pair is two 25 amp circuits as well (25 A each at 240V). Put each heater on its own breaker, run them through a dual INF input regulator or a Bromic Affinity dimmer, and you can run the dining end at full and the sofa end at half.
From our install team
Two medium heaters aimed from opposite sides beat one big heater in the middle every time on a covered patio. People sit around the edges, and a single ceiling mounted unit in the center leaves everyone's back cold. On Westchester screened porches we also keep the heaters off the screen side so the elements are not staring into wind.
Not sure what fits your space? Send us the patio dimensions, ceiling height, where people sit and a photo of the ceiling framing, and we will lay out heater count, wattage and angle before you call the electrician. Book a free design consultation and we will help you narrow it down.
Recess kits and flush mounting
If the patio has a finished ceiling (beadboard, drywall, stucco, tongue and groove) and you do not want a fixture hanging off it, both brands offer a recessed install. The rules are stricter than a surface mount.
Bromic recess kits. The Platinum Electric recess kit and the Tungsten Electric recess kit drop the heater into a box above the ceiling line. The Platinum low clearance kit manual spells out the cutouts: 39.2 by 9.4 inches for the 2,300 watt, 56.3 by 9.4 inches for the 3,400 watt, 61 by 12.5 inches for the 4,500 watt, and it wants at least 7.1 inches of vertical space above the recess box, 20 inches from the cutout to the nearest wall, 20 inches between heaters, and the heater face at 94 to 96 inches above the finished floor. The kit is written for ceiling surfaces 0.39 to 1.2 inches thick, the ceiling can slope no more than a quarter inch per inch, and the heater must never be covered with insulation from above. Recessed heaters face straight down only, no tilt, which is why we usually recess over the seating rather than at the edge of the roof.
Infratech flush mount frames. W and WD series heaters flush mount into a flat ceiling using the W-33, W-39, W-48 or W-61 plaster frame. Infratech requires a flat, non-sloped ceiling, minimum 2 by 8 framing, a one hour rated fire containment box around the pocket, the junction box outside the pocket, half an inch of clearance to the ventilation holes if the trim is partly covered, and a licensed contractor. Slimline series heaters cannot be flush mounted. Infratech's FAQ says the W series will flush mount into a standard 8 foot ceiling, which is the whole point.
Either way, a recess is a framing conversation before it is a heater conversation. If the patio ceiling is already closed up, a surface mount on short standoffs is far less expensive and only hangs 6 to 10 inches down.
240V wiring and controls
Wiring. Every heater above 1,500 watts is 208V, 240V or 277V and hard wired. Infratech's manual requires a licensed electrician, 90 degree C rated copper wire, half inch conduit fittings, IPX4 rated components outdoors, and a disconnect means. Bromic requires a licensed installer, permanent wiring, a disconnect in the fixed wiring and an upstream two pole RCD or RCCB on direct wired installs. Amperage at 240V: Infratech W-30 at 12.5 A, W-40 and WD-40 at 16.7 A, WD-60 at 25 A; Bromic Platinum 2,300 / 3,400 / 4,500 watt at 9.6 / 14.2 / 18.8 A; Bromic Tungsten 2,000 / 3,000 / 4,000 / 6,000 watt at 8.3 / 12.5 / 16.6 / 25 A. A 240V circuit uses the same wire as a 120V circuit but takes two breaker spaces, so check the panel before you fall in love with four heaters.
One trap: Infratech warns that a 240V element run on 208V makes roughly 60 percent of its intended heat, and on 110V it will not glow at all. Many NYC apartment buildings and some commercial spaces are 208V three phase. Order the 208V element, or for Bromic, the 208V Platinum or 208V and 277V Tungsten versions.
Controls. An Infratech on/off wall switch is the simplest. The INF input regulators are the ones we spec on covered patios because they dim: the INF10 handles one 120V heater up to 15 amps, and the 240V single and dual regulators handle one or two 240V elements each. For larger jobs Infratech's solid state packages add zones and timers, and its home management interface takes a 0 to 10V signal from Lutron, Crestron, Control4 or Savant. On the Bromic side, the Affinity Smart-Heat control system gives on/off or dimming with an expansion board for multiple heaters, and Eclipse units use the Affinity Eclipse pendant control for the heater and its integrated light. Stick with each brand's own controls; they are sized to the element load, and a generic lighting dimmer is not.
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Aluminum, wood or fabric: what the pergola is made of
Louvered aluminum pergola. The easiest case. The roof is non-combustible, the louvers give you make-up air for a gas unit when open, and the beams are usually deep enough to mount an electric heater directly or run wire inside. Check the pergola maker's load limit; a Bromic Platinum 4,500 watt weighs 33 pounds and a recessed kit assembly can approach 55 pounds. Many louvered pergola makers offer a factory heater mount, and Bromic's Eclipse pendant on a twin pole is a popular drop into those frames.
Wood pergola or wood ceiling. Wood is combustible, so the clearance table governs: 12 inches above a wall mounted Infratech, 6 inches above a ceiling mounted one, 18 inches to the sides; Bromic Tungsten 9.84 to 13 inches face to ceiling; and for gas, 3 feet above the heater unless you add the shield. Both manuals also warn that low heat tolerance materials degrade before they ignite. Bromic lists plastic, vinyl siding, canvas and tri-ply; stained cedar and painted beadboard will discolor if a heater is mounted too close even when the clearance is technically met. We add a few inches beyond the minimum on wood.
Fabric canopy, retractable awning, shade sail. No gas heaters. For electric, treat the fabric as a combustible and keep the full clearance, and understand that most awning and sail makers void their warranty near a heat source. A freestanding Eclipse on a stand aimed away from the fabric is the only thing we will put under a sail.
Wind screens. On a roof deck in Manhattan or a lanai on the Jupiter coast, a glass or polycarbonate wind screen on the windward side does more for comfort than another heater. Radiant heat does not get carried off by wind, but your skin does lose heat to it, and both Bromic gas lines are only rated to 10 to 12 mph. A screen also keeps the heaters' coverage closer to the chart numbers.
When does gas make sense under a roof?
Gas is not forbidden under cover. Bromic actually requires its gas heaters to be protected from rain and installed under a protective cover. What the manual constrains is the enclosure around the heater:
- Overhead cover with no more than two walls: allowed.
- Overhead cover with more than two walls: at least 25 percent of the total wall area must be completely open, and at least 30 percent of the remaining wall area must be open and unrestricted.
- Walls on all sides: only with at least one permanent opening at ground level, and this is really a pavilion case, not a porch.
Add the 8 foot floor clearance and the 3 foot (or 14 inch shielded) overhead clearance and the use case becomes clear: a tall open-sided pavilion, a restaurant patio with a high roof and no gas line problem, a big pool house with a 12 foot ceiling. A Tungsten 500 gas at 43,000 BTU or a Platinum 500 at 39,800 BTU covers roughly twice the floor of the largest electric unit, which is why we still install them in those spaces. Bromic also recommends its heat deflector when clearance above the heater is under 43 inches or the install is exposed.
In New York City, propane adds a second constraint. The NYC Fire Code limits propane storage at residences, and multiple dwellings generally cannot keep 20 pound cylinders on balconies, roofs or in rear yards, so a gas heater on a covered Brooklyn or Queens patio is a natural gas job installed by a licensed master plumber or it is an electric job. Co-op and condo boards tend to settle that question before you do.
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Our recommended models
Picked for covered patios: low profile, low clearance, dimmable, and hard wired 240V unless noted. All are heaters we stock and install.
Which should you choose?
Choose Infratech electric if:
- The ceiling is 8 to 9 feet and you want the heater to disappear, surface or flush mounted.
- You want a nearly invisible glow and fine control through INF regulators or a home automation system.
- You are on a 120V budget for one small spot, or a 240V plan for several zones.
Choose Bromic electric if:
- You want a fixture that looks like a designed object, especially a black Platinum or a pendant Eclipse in a louvered pergola.
- You want the Affinity control ecosystem and an app, or dual element zoning in one housing.
- You need a true recess kit with a published cutout for a finished ceiling.
Choose Bromic gas if:
- The roof is 10 feet or higher and the space is open on at least two sides.
- There is a natural gas line nearby and the electrical panel is full.
- You need 160 to 215 square feet per heater, as on a restaurant patio or large pavilion.
For most covered patios and pergolas we recommend electric infrared, two fixtures of 3,000 to 6,000 watts aimed at the seating from opposite sides, on 240V circuits with a dimming control. Between brands it is close: Infratech for the lowest clearances and the flush look under an 8 foot ceiling, Bromic for the finished fixture and the recess kit. Gas earns its place only under a tall, open-sided roof with a gas line already there. If your ceiling is under 10 feet, stop considering it and spend the money on the second electric heater.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a patio heater under a covered patio?
Yes. Electric infrared heaters from Infratech and Bromic are designed for it and need only 6 to 13 inches of clearance to the ceiling. Gas infrared heaters can also be installed under a roof but need 8 feet to the floor, 3 feet above the heater (14 inches with a Bromic heat shield), and enough open wall area for combustion air.
What is the best patio heater for a pergola?
For an aluminum louvered pergola, a Bromic Platinum or Tungsten electric heater or a Bromic Eclipse pendant on the pergola beams. For a wood pergola, an Infratech W or WD series on a bracket with the full 12 inch overhead and 18 inch side clearance to the wood. Avoid gas unless the pergola is over 10 feet tall and open on two sides.
How high should a patio heater be mounted on a covered patio?
Bromic electric heaters can be wall mounted at 72 inches minimum or ceiling mounted at 96 inches. Infratech recommends 7 to 12 feet depending on the model, with the 1,500 watt W-15 usable at 6 to 7 feet. Gas heaters need 8 feet to the floor.
How many patio heaters do I need for a 12 by 16 foot patio?
Usually two 240V electric heaters of 4,000 to 6,000 watts each, aimed at the seating areas from opposite sides. One 6,000 watt Infratech WD-60 covers about 11 by 11 feet; one Bromic Tungsten 6,000 watt covers about 160 square feet. A single 120V heater only covers a 5 by 5 foot spot.
Can a gas patio heater be used under a roof?
Bromic requires its gas heaters to be under a protective cover from rain, so yes, but the enclosure must stay open: with more than two walls, at least 25 percent of the total wall area must be fully open and 30 percent of the rest open and unrestricted. Clearances are 8 feet to the floor and 3 feet above the heater, or 14 inches with the heat shield.
Can an electric patio heater be recessed into the ceiling?
Yes. Bromic sells recess kits for its Platinum and Tungsten electric heaters with published cutouts and a 7.1 inch cavity requirement, and Infratech W and WD heaters flush mount with a plaster frame into a flat ceiling with minimum 2 by 8 framing and a one hour rated containment box. Slimline heaters and sloped ceilings do not qualify.
Do patio heaters need a 240V circuit?
Anything above 1,500 watts does. Infratech and Bromic 240V heaters are hard wired by a licensed electrician on a dedicated breaker, drawing roughly 8 to 25 amps depending on wattage. A 240V element on 208V building power produces about 60 percent of its rated heat, so order the 208V version where that applies.
Are propane patio heaters allowed on a covered patio in NYC?
Propane is heavily restricted in New York City. The Fire Code limits cylinder storage at residences, and multiple dwellings generally cannot store 20 pound cylinders on balconies, roofs or in yards. A covered patio heater in the city is an electric install, or a natural gas install done by a licensed master plumber where the building allows it.
Talk to a specialist
Heat the covered patio without cooking the ceiling.
We have been designing, selling, installing and servicing fire features and outdoor kitchens for over 30 years across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. We will lay out heater count, wattage, mounting angle and controls for your patio, and coordinate the 240V circuits with your electrician.
Book a free consultationCall 718-326-4328Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens.
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Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.
Sources:Infratech W/WD series installation instructions, Infratech coverage chart, Infratech FAQs, Infratech flush mount installation, Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric, Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Electric, Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas, Bromic installation manuals (Platinum Electric, Tungsten Electric, Platinum Gas, Tungsten Gas, Platinum low clearance recess kit), NYC Department of Buildings propane and outdoor cooking guidance (NYC Fire Code 307.5). Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.