Specialty Electric installs electric patio heaters across San Diego County. We run the circuit from your panel, mount the heater at the height and clearances its manual sets, and wire the switch, dimmer or timer. Makers such as Bromic and Eurofase require a licensed electrician for hardwired heaters. We install electric heaters only, not gas. Quotes are free.
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What an electric patio heater needs
Most wall- and ceiling-mounted electric heaters are hardwired on a 208V or 240V circuit, and the heater's manual sets the breaker and wire size. Two examples from the makers' installation manuals:
- Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric: 2300W or 3400W, drawing 9.6 or 14.2 amps at 240V. Bromic requires ground-fault protection upstream and installation by a licensed technician.
- Eurofase EF series: 2000W to 3000W at 240V (8.3 to 12.5 amps), plus a 1500W, 120V model. Eurofase states that a licensed electrician is required.
Two or three heaters on one patio add up. Before we quote, we check that your panel has room; if it doesn't, see electrical panel upgrades and 240V circuits.
Mounting height and clearances
The heater's manual sets how high it goes and how far it stays from walls, the ceiling and anything that can burn. Eurofase's EF heaters, for example, mount at least 72 inches above the floor, 18 inches from an adjacent wall, and 12 inches below the ceiling when wall-mounted (6 inches when ceiling-mounted), with furniture and drapery kept 3.3 feet from the front. Bromic asks for 3 feet from combustibles. We measure your patio cover against the manual before we mount anything.
Switches, dimmers and timers
You can run a heater from a plain switch or add more control. Bromic offers a wireless dimmer and an on/off controller for its Platinum electric heaters; Eurofase offers a wall switch and a relay control box with a timer, variable heat and a thermostat. We wire whichever you choose. Want heaters on the same system as your lights? See smart home electrical.
Near the coast
Bromic rates its standard Platinum electric heater IPX4 for water and makes a Marine version rated IPX5. If your patio is close to the ocean, ask us about it when we quote.
Electric heaters only
We install electric patio heaters. We don't install gas heaters; a gas line needs a licensed gas contractor. Eurofase electric heaters are on display at both Fan Diego showrooms, in San Diego (8020 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.) and Rancho Mirage. Fan Diego also carries Bromic and Napoleon. For outdoor kitchens, pools and landscape lighting, see outdoor, pool and landscape electrical.
Heaters we install
Fan Diego carries the Eurofase EF series of wall- and ceiling-mounted electric heaters, from 1,500 to 6,000 watts, on display at both showrooms. Choose the size and finish at Fan Diego, and we check your panel, run the circuit and mount it at the height its manual sets.
Eurofase EF15
Eurofase EF20
Eurofase EF30
Eurofase EF40
Eurofase EF60What to expect
- Permits
- Ask us about permits when we quote. Whether your job needs one depends on the work.
- Time on site
- It depends on the job. Most jobs are done in a day or less.
- Price
- Every heater job is quoted. Email or text us photos of the patio and your electrical panel, or we can come out and quote it on site. Quotes are free.
- Brands we install
- Bromic, Eurofase, Napoleon
- Guarantee
- We guarantee our labor for life. Period.
- Trade program
- Designers, builders and contractors save on select brands when our electricians install. See the trade program.
Bought it at Fan Diego? We'll pick up your fixtures and bring them on install day. Need it there on a specific date? We'll schedule delivery and installation together.
Compare electric patio heaters at Fan Diego →
Frequently asked questions
What circuit does an electric patio heater need?
The heater's manual says. Most hardwired patio heaters run on a 208V or 240V circuit. As examples, a 3400W Bromic Platinum electric heater draws 14.2 amps at 240V, and Eurofase's 3000W EF heater draws 12.5 amps at 240V. We size the breaker and wire from the manual and check that your panel has room.
Can an electric heater go under a covered patio?
Yes, if the cover leaves the clearances the manual requires. Eurofase's EF heaters, for example, need 6 inches from the ceiling when ceiling-mounted, 18 inches from adjacent walls, and at least 72 inches above the floor. We measure your patio cover against the manual before we mount the heater.
How high should a patio heater be mounted?
It depends on the heater, and its manual sets the minimum. Eurofase's EF heaters mount at least 72 inches above the floor in the US. Heaters also need space from walls, the ceiling and anything that can burn: Bromic asks for 3 feet from combustibles, and Eurofase 3.3 feet from the front of the heater.
Can I control a patio heater with a dimmer or timer?
Yes. Bromic makes a wireless dimmer and an on/off controller for its Platinum electric heaters. Eurofase makes a wall switch and a relay control box that adds a timer, variable heat and a thermostat. We wire the control you choose, or a plain switch if that's all you need.
Do you install gas patio heaters?
No. Specialty Electric installs electric patio heaters only. A gas heater needs a gas line, which is work for a licensed gas contractor. If you're deciding between the two, Eurofase electric heaters are on display at both Fan Diego showrooms, in San Diego and Rancho Mirage, and Fan Diego also carries Bromic and Napoleon.
Will I need a bigger electrical panel for patio heaters?
Not always. A load calculation compares what your home already uses, plus the heaters, with what your panel and service can carry. One heater often fits; several on one patio may not. We look at your panel when we quote and tell you before any work starts.
How much does electric patio heater installation cost?
Every job is quoted before we start, and quotes are free, so we don't publish a flat price. Three things set it: how difficult the labor is (for example, how far the new wiring has to run and what the wall is made of), how long the job takes, and the cost of materials.
Do I need a permit for patio heater wiring in San Diego?
In the City of San Diego, adding to or altering your wiring needs an Electrical Permit, and the City issues it only to a licensed contractor or the property owner. Specialty Electric holds California C-10 license #1113915. Whether your job needs one depends on the work; ask us when we quote.