What It Costs to Run a Patio Heater in Canada
A patio heater is only worth it if you know what it costs to run. The good news: with the right fuel and a bit of control, a Bromic heater is cheaper to run than most people expect. Here's what you'll actually pay in Canada, province by province, and how to keep the bill down.
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The short answer
Two things decide your running cost: the fuel (electric, natural gas, or propane) and how much you actually run the heater. Natural gas is usually the cheapest ongoing fuel where you have a line. Electric cost swings a lot by province. And no matter which you pick, running only the heaters you need, only when you need them, cuts the bill more than any other single move.
What it costs to run an electric Bromic heater
The table below is the estimated monthly cost of running a 6,000W electric heater for 10 hours a week (about 40 hours a month), using average provincial power rates. All figures in Canadian dollars.
| Province | Avg. rate (¢/kWh) | Est. monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | ~11.4 | ~$27.36 |
| Alberta | ~25.8 | ~$61.92 |
| Saskatchewan | ~19.9 | ~$47.76 |
| Manitoba | ~10.2 | ~$24.48 |
| Ontario | ~14.1 | ~$33.84 |
| Quebec | ~7.8 | ~$18.72 |
| New Brunswick | ~15.2 | ~$36.48 |
| Nova Scotia | ~18.3 to 18.6 | ~$43.92 |
| PEI | ~18.4 | ~$44.16 |
| Newfoundland | ~14.8 | ~$35.52 |
Rates are provincial averages as of 2026; your contracted rate may differ. Smaller electric heaters (2,300W to 4,500W, like the Platinum Electric) cost proportionally less to run.
What it costs to run a gas Bromic heater
Gas is measured differently, by fuel burned rather than kilowatt-hours. A high-output gas heater like the Tungsten 500 Gas (up to 43,000 BTU) burns roughly 0.4 to 0.45 cubic metres of natural gas per hour on full. At typical Canadian natural gas prices, that lands well under a dollar an hour to run at full output, and less when you dial it back. Natural gas off a fixed line is almost always the lowest ongoing cost.
Propane costs more per unit of heat than natural gas and the price moves with the market, but it's the trade-off you make for portability with a unit like the portable gas heater. If you're on propane, buying tanks in bulk and running the heater only when you're outside makes the biggest difference.
The biggest lever: only heat where people are
The single largest saving isn't the fuel, it's not running heaters over empty space. An Affinity controller lets you schedule, dim, and zone your heaters from a wall plate or the Bromic app. Heat the occupied corner of the patio, not the whole yard. On a multi-heater setup or a restaurant terrace, zoning pays for the controller quickly.
Gas or electric, which is cheaper for you?
If you have a natural gas line, gas usually wins on running cost and on raw heat. If you're in a low-rate province like Quebec or Manitoba, or you only need to warm a small covered area, electric is cheap and simple. We break the full decision down in Gas or Electric Patio Heaters?, and if you're still choosing a model, start with Bromic Patio Heaters Canada: Which Model Is Right for You?
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a patio heater per hour in Canada?
For a 6,000W electric heater, roughly 47 cents to $1.55 an hour depending on your province's power rate. A high-output natural gas heater runs well under a dollar an hour on full and less when turned down. Propane sits above natural gas and moves with market prices.
Is gas or electric cheaper to run?
Natural gas off a fixed line is usually the cheapest to run. Electric is competitive in low-rate provinces and for small covered spaces. Propane is the most expensive per unit of heat but gives you portability.
How do I lower my patio heater running costs?
Run only the heaters you need, only when people are outside. Dimming and zoning with an Affinity controller is the biggest saver, followed by choosing the right size heater for the space instead of over-heating it.
Are Bromic heaters expensive to run?
No more than any quality radiant heater, and often less, because radiant heat warms people and objects directly instead of wasting energy heating the open air. Sizing the heater correctly and controlling when it runs keeps costs reasonable.
Still want a number for your space?
Tell us your patio size, your province, and how you use the space. We'll estimate the running cost for the right Bromic model and set-up, at no charge.
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More Bromic guides: Control your heaters from your phone (Affinity) · Bromic Eclipse: heat and light in one · What size patio heater do I need?
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