Propane vs natural gas patio heater is really a question about your patio, not the flame. A propane heater runs on a tank you swap, so you can move it, store it and set it up the day it arrives. A natural gas heater connects to a gas line, so it never runs out mid party, but it stays where the line ends and needs a licensed installer first. If you have gas service near the spot and the heater will live there for years, natural gas usually makes sense. If you rent, want to rearrange, or have no gas line outside, buy propane. Below we compare matched pairs from our catalog.
Still choosing a heater type? Start with our patio heater buying guide, or see fire pit vs patio heater for coverage and output. This guide stays on fuel.
Propane vs natural gas patio heater: the matched pairs
The cleanest way to compare fuels is to look at the same heater built for each one. RADtec sells two of its tall glass tube and lamp style models in both versions.
| Model | Propane version | Natural gas version | What the listings say |
|---|---|---|---|
| RADtec Real Flame 96 inch, stainless | $849 | $849 | Up to 100 sq ft in ideal conditions; propane tank hides inside the base; natural gas version must be connected to a gas line outside |
| RADtec Real Flame 96 inch, antique bronze | $689 | $849 | Same design in a bronze finish; piezo ignition on the natural gas version |
| RADtec Pyramid 93 inch, stainless | $1,495 | $1,495 | 55 to 65 sq ft; direct spark ignition and anti-tilt shut off on both |
Prices are at the time of writing. In two of the three pairs both versions cost the same, so the real cost difference is installation. The listings are not identical, though. The Real Flame propane listings state 40,000 BTU, while the natural gas listings do not print a BTU rating at all. If output matters for your space, call us to confirm the natural gas figure before you order.
Tank swaps vs a gas line
With propane, the fuel lives in the heater. The Real Flame propane listing says a standard 20 lb tank fits inside the unit, so no hose or tank is visible. The Pyramid propane listing gives about 10 hours on a 20 lb tank. That covers a few evenings, but someone has to notice the tank is low and get it refilled or exchanged. Frequent hosts keep a spare full tank.
With natural gas, the heater draws from the same utility supply as your range or furnace. The Pyramid natural gas listing puts it simply: there is no chore of changing tanks because it is connected to a gas line.
Natural gas patio heater cost per hour vs propane
Here is a rough way to compare fuel costs, using U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) figures. EIA lists propane at 91,452 BTU per gallon and natural gas at 1,036 BTU per cubic foot. EIA’s U.S. average residential propane price for the week of October 12, 2026 was $2.638 per gallon, and its average residential natural gas price in 2026 ran from $13.96 per thousand cubic feet in January to $26.45 in July.
For a 40,000 BTU burner on high for one hour, our math works out to:
- Propane: about 0.44 gallon, or roughly $1.15 an hour.
- Natural gas: about 39 cubic feet, or roughly $0.54 to $1.02 an hour.
These are estimates from national averages. Small cylinder fills and exchanges are priced separately from EIA’s residential figure, so check your receipt, and use the rate on your gas bill. The gap is real but small. A gas line pays for itself only if you run the heater often for years.
Placement freedom and moving the heater
Propane wins on flexibility. You can move a propane heater between zones, store it for summer, or take it when you move. The natural gas Real Flame listing even points shoppers to the propane model for moving it anywhere.
A natural gas heater is a fixed appliance once it is plumbed. Pick the spot before the line goes in: where people sit, wind, walkways, and the clearances in the owner’s manual. Moving it later means calling the gas pro back. That fixed location suits wall or ceiling mounted heaters, which stay put anyway.
Installation and permits for natural gas
A propane heater needs assembly and a tank. A natural gas heater needs a gas supply at the spot, which usually means a new line from the meter or an existing outdoor stub, a shutoff valve and a leak test. Line size depends on the total load on the system, so a heater sharing a line with a grill or fire pit has to be accounted for.
Ask your building department whether a permit is required where you live, and ask your gas utility about meter capacity before work starts. A licensed gas professional and your local code have the final word on piping, connections and clearances. For a detailed breakdown of what drives the price of running gas to the yard, see our natural gas fire pit installation cost guide; the same factors apply to a patio heater line.
Can you convert a patio heater between fuels?
Do not plan on it. None of the RADtec listings above mention a field conversion kit. Each fuel is sold as its own model, which is why the pairs exist. Propane and natural gas run at different pressures and need different orifices and controls, so a heater built for one fuel is not safe on the other just by changing the hose. Our propane vs natural gas fire pit guide explains why in more detail.
Some listings are less clear. The Lynx 48 inch infrared patio heater ($3,069 at the time of writing), a wall or ceiling mount unit listed at 24,000 to 35,000 BTU, lists its fuel type as natural gas or liquid propane. Before ordering any heater like that, call us to confirm which fuel version ships and whether conversion is supported by the manufacturer. If the maker does not offer a kit, buy the version for your fuel.
Safety differences between the fuels
Both fuels need the same basics: follow the manual’s clearances (especially under any roof or pergola), keep the heater level, and shut it off when you leave. The RADtec Pyramid and the stainless Real Flame natural gas listings note an anti-tilt shut off switch in case the heater gets knocked over.
- Propane: you handle the fuel. Connect and disconnect tanks with the valve closed, check connections for leaks after every swap, and follow the cylinder supplier’s handling instructions.
- Natural gas: the connection is permanent, so the install matters most. EIA notes that processed natural gas has no odor, so utilities add mercaptan, a rotten egg smelling substance, so people can smell leaks. If you smell it, shut the valve and call your utility.
Frequently asked questions
Is propane or natural gas cheaper for a patio heater?
Natural gas, per hour. Using EIA averages, a 40,000 BTU burner costs roughly $1.15 an hour on propane and $0.54 to $1.02 on natural gas. The gas line costs more up front, so propane is usually cheaper overall for occasional use.
Do I need a plumber for a natural gas patio heater?
Yes. The RADtec natural gas listings say the heater must be connected to a gas line. Use a licensed gas professional, and check with your building department about permits.
Can I convert a propane patio heater to natural gas?
Only if the manufacturer sells a conversion kit for that model and a licensed pro installs it. The RADtec heaters we carry are sold as separate propane and natural gas versions, so buy the one that matches your patio heater fuel.
Which patio heater fuel is better for a rental?
Propane. It needs no permanent gas work and moves with you.
Not sure which version fits your patio? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM PST, and we will help you compare models and confirm specs. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, with a $200 flat rate below that. Please review our return and refund policy before you order.
