Gas Patio Heater Installation Toronto 2026

# Gas Patio Heater Installation Toronto 2026

A permanent natural gas patio heater extends Toronto outdoor living from late September through early May. Unlike portable propane mushroom heaters that go through a 20 lb tank a week, a hard-piped natural gas heater is on demand and doesn't need refilling. It does require a TSSA G2 licensed gas-fitter, code-compliant clearances, and a documented pressure test.

This RenoHouse cluster post covers wall-mounted versus freestanding patio heaters, BTU sizing, clearance code, and 2026 Toronto CAD pricing.

Our role. RenoHouse coordinates TSSA G2 licensed gas-fitter subcontractors. We do not perform gas work in-house.

Three Configurations of Permanent Patio Heater

Toronto outdoor heaters come in three configurations:

• 1. Freestanding mushroom-style natural gas heater — looks like the propane version but hard-piped. Requires a CSA-rated quick-connect at the base. Stable mass needed (typically 100+ lbs base) so it doesn't tip in wind.

• 2. Wall-mounted infrared heater — Bromic Tungsten / Platinum series, Schwank, Sunpak, Solaira. Mounted to a wall or beam under a covered patio or pergola. Aimed downward at the seating area. Most common in 2026 Toronto luxury patio builds.

• 3. Ceiling-mounted infrared heater — same family of units as wall-mount but suspended from an overhead structure. Used in three-season rooms and large pergolas.

Each configuration has its own clearance requirements; the G2 sub confirms layout before piping.

BTU Sizing for Toronto

For a Toronto patio (cold late-fall and early-spring nights, single-digit Celsius typical), rule-of-thumb sizing:

• Per linear foot of seating area: 6,000 to 10,000 BTU/h
• Single mushroom heater (covers 8–12 ft radius): 30,000 – 50,000 BTU/h
• Wall-mount infrared (Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat): 38,500 BTU/h (most popular Toronto model)
• Wall-mount infrared (Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat): 50,000 BTU/h
• Larger infrared models (Schwank ER, Sunpak): 50,000 – 80,000 BTU/h

A typical Toronto covered patio uses 1 to 3 wall-mount infrareds for 100,000 to 150,000 BTU/h combined.

Clearance Code

CSA B149.1 plus the manufacturer's installation instructions govern clearances. Typical wall-mount infrared:

• Mounting height above floor: 8 to 10 ft (per manufacturer)
• Clearance to ceiling above the heater: typically 6" to 12"
• Clearance to combustibles in front of the heater: typically 36" to 48" (the heat throw zone)
• Clearance to side walls: typically 6" to 12"
• Mounting surface must be non-combustible OR the manufacturer-specified clearance must be observed if mounted on a combustible wall

Freestanding heaters have their own clearance specs — typically 36" from any wall on all sides, and overhead clearance to any covered structure.

Gas Line Sizing and Routing

For a wall-mount patio heater, the gas line typically runs from the meter (or from an existing tee) up the building wall to the heater location, with a CSA-rated shut-off ball valve at the building exit and a second shut-off at the heater. Common routing:

• Behind the wall finish in a stud cavity (interior route inside a covered patio wall) — must be black iron or CSST per code
• Surface-mounted on an exterior wall with a paint-grade copper or steel cover — neat and serviceable
• Buried run from meter to a freestanding heater base — same 18" burial depth and tracer wire as any outdoor line

The G2 sub picks the route based on the heater location, the building structure, and the appearance the homeowner wants.

Outdoor Shut-Off Valve Placement

Same code as any outdoor gas line: a CSA-rated manual shut-off ball valve at the building exit, accessible and labeled. The heater also needs its own shut-off in the line within reach of the appliance. Both are quarter-turn ball valves. For full shut-off detail, see [Outdoor Gas Shut-Off Valve Toronto](/blog/outdoor-gas-shut-off-valve-toronto).

Realistic 2026 CAD Pricing

For a Toronto natural gas patio heater installation (TSSA G2 sub, materials, permit if required, pressure test, all-in for the gas line and connection — but not the heater itself):

• Single wall-mount infrared, 20–30 ft gas line run: $1,400 – $2,200
• Two wall-mount infrareds on a single manifold, 25–40 ft run: $1,900 – $2,800
• Three wall-mount infrareds on a manifold, 30–50 ft run: $2,400 – $3,400
• Single freestanding mushroom heater, 30–40 ft buried run: $1,800 – $2,600
• Add hardscape removal and re-lay (interlock or stone): $400 – $1,200

The patio heater itself is typically $1,500 to $4,500 for a wall-mount infrared, supplied separately.

Coordination with Pergola, Deck, and Outdoor Kitchen

Patio heaters are usually built as part of a larger outdoor scope. Common bundles:

• Heater + outdoor kitchen on a shared manifold. See [Outdoor Kitchen Gas Line Toronto](/blog/outdoor-kitchen-gas-line-toronto).
• Heater + composite deck rebuild. See [Composite Decking Toronto 2026](/blog/composite-decking-toronto-2026).
• Heater + BBQ on the same trench. See [Gas BBQ Line Installation Cost Toronto](/blog/gas-bbq-line-installation-cost-toronto).

Coordinating these together saves trench mobilization and one TSSA inspection visit each.

Cross-Linked Reading

• Pillar: [Outdoor Gas Line Installation Toronto 2026: Complete Guide](/blog/outdoor-gas-line-installation-toronto-2026-complete-guide)
• [Gas Fire Pit Installation Toronto](/blog/gas-fire-pit-installation-toronto)
• [Outdoor Gas Shut-Off Valve Toronto](/blog/outdoor-gas-shut-off-valve-toronto)
• [Outdoor Gas Line Mistakes Toronto](/blog/outdoor-gas-line-mistakes-toronto)

Get a Coordinated Quote

For a coordinated patio heater quote — gas line, mounting, and electrical for the integrated controllers — head to [/services/plumbing/outdoor-gas-line-installation](/services/plumbing/outdoor-gas-line-installation).