Patio Umbrellas, Heaters, Shades | Patio Heat and Shade

One Portable Liquid Propane Patio Heater On Concrete Outdoor Patio Under String Lights Next to Outdoor Dining Table

Firstly, we should all know by now that patio heaters are fantastic for keeping the good times rolling long into the evening by raising the temperature of your outdoor oasis 5° to 10°F. Freestanding (some call them “portable”) patio heaters are the choice of many of our customers because they can easily be moved to other areas – we have one customer who uses the heater in a conversation pit on their deck, then rolls it to the dining area for dinner, then over to a small fire pit to warm the backs of their guests… three uses, one heater.
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We always suggest that freestanding/portable patio heaters be stored away in a garage or outbuilding when not in use (mostly in the summertime), and those that heed that warning haven’t had trouble with tipping… but sometimes the gales of November have patio heater destruction on their minds and won’t be denied. We’ve got some fantastic ideas on how to keep a patio heater from blowing over, including a few that may surprise you.
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Wind-toppled patio heaters can suffer significant damage, frequently cracking glass and damaging deflectors to the point that replacement pieces are required. Not only is this costly, but the amount of time it takes to obtain the replacement parts will eat into your outdoor enjoyment – quite possibly requiring you to (shudder!) go indoors. We can’t let that happen to good folks like you, so let’s make sure your freestanding/portable heater stays upright the way it was intended

Tips for keeping your patio heater from tipping over

Two Portable Electric Freestanding Heaters Placed Next to Outdoor Dining Tables at a Restaurant with View of Downtown Buildings

Let’s not leave you twisting in the wind (sorry, had to say it) and get right to it…

Make sure the base is secured – Anchor it if possible
Keep your heater from potential hazards that could tip it over – Placing your heater next to a small patio “room” divider is aesthetically pleasing, but that divider is going to become a heater-attacking solid sail when the wind kicks up
Select a model with anti-tip features – The best freestanding/portable heaters have anti-tip sensors that will shut the heater down if it senses it tipping over.
**BTW: If you have selected a heater with this feature, test the tilt feature a few times a year to make sure you’re still in good shape. Note this DOES NOT mean you should tip over your heater… follow the instructions in your user’s manual for how to test the system properly

How to anchor a patio heater

When it’s time to anchor down your patio heater in the fight against the invisible forces of the wind, here are some suggestions:

The first suggestion is to WEIGH DOWN YOUR HEATER. It’s weird how adding weight to something can help anchor it. Seriously, many models have a built-in reservoir that accept water or sand… things that make your heater more bottom heavy.
You can add sandbags or water-filled bags to the outside of your base to help weigh it down – just be sure that whatever you are adding (and the bag itself) is heat/flame resistant or you could have a whole different kind of mess on your hands.
Shackle your patio heater to a stable structure (like a pillar or a column) using flame-resistant ties (like a bungie cord). Remember to keep safe distances when running the heater per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Lastly, secure your patio heater to the ground itself using tiedowns (those bungie cords are looking pretty good again) or bolt it down to the ground or floor.

Outdoor patio of a winery, with formed concrete pathways, concrete walls, red and white market umbrellas, two glasses of red wine in the foreground, a pastoral view of the vineyard in the background with an IR Energy Inc. EvenGLO E202PS portable propane patio heater as the central focus

The best places to put your patio heater to prevent it from tipping over

One Portable Freestanding Heater Next to Outdoor Dining Table in a Residential Backyard Patio

The best way to start stabilizing your patio heater is to take steps to put it on solid ground – literally.

Start with a flat surface, preferably a hard, heat-proof surface (like concrete, tile or stone)
A semi-enclosed area will decrease the effect of the wind
To reduce accidents, keep to low-traffic areas
Keep your heater away from furniture, trees, and other flammable objects

Sometimes you’ve got to mount your heater

One Electric Patio Heater Mounted to a Covered Patio Outside Behind an Outdoor Seating Area

Welp, what do you do if you happen to live in Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica (the Guinness Book of World Records selection as the windiest place on the planet, frequently breaching 150mph just because it’s a Tuesday), and still need to heat your patio (as you probably would, in Antarctica…)? We heavily suggest that you forego the portability of a freestanding patio heater, and instead install a wall- or ceiling-mounted heater to keep your toes toasty. When installed properly (always to the manufacturers specifications) a wall- or ceiling-mounted heat won’t blow off when mother nature gets grumpy.
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Stabilize your heater, anchor it how you can, and keep it away from things that may knock it over and you can count on years of trouble-free service from your patio heater. Here at Patio Heat and Shade, we pride ourselves on knowing just about everything there is to know about patio comfort, and we’re not shy about sharing with our fantastic customers. With the variety of patio heaters, we have available, it may be hard to pick the right one for your situation… but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Give us a call and we’ll walk you through it, every step of the way.

How to Keep a Patio Heater from Tipping Over

Tips for keeping your patio heater from tipping over

How to anchor a patio heater

The best places to put your patio heater to prevent it from tipping over

Sometimes you’ve got to mount your heater

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Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications