Renting Out Patio Heaters: Pricing, Propane and Safety Rules for Cold-Weather Events
When the weather turns cold, outdoor weddings, tailgates, patio dinners and holiday parties still happen, and guests want to stay warm. Patio heater rentals can be a useful add-on for a home-based party or equipment rental business. They are also one of the riskier items you can rent, so safety and clear rules matter more here than for tables or chairs.
What You Would Rent
The common rental units are tall propane “mushroom” heaters, tabletop propane heaters and electric infrared models. HomeServe’s cost guide (June 2025) lists propane mushroom-style units at roughly $200–$500 to buy, tabletop propane at $100–$250, and electric models at $150–$600, with premium units costing much more. Prices change, so shop current listings and ask whether a commercial-grade unit makes sense.
Pricing Examples
HomeServe puts typical rental prices at $50–$100 a day, with a propane mushroom heater around $60 and an electric infrared heater around $70. One Ohio rental company lists $99.99 for up to 8 hours, $50 for each additional day, and $49.99 per tank of propane, plus possible holiday fees on busy dates such as New Year’s Eve. Treat these as examples, not what you will earn. Check what rental companies near you charge, and use our guide to pricing rental equipment to work out break-even.
Charge separately for propane, or include a set fuel amount and say so clearly. Decide whether delivery, setup and pickup are extra.
Safety Rules You Should Build In
Insurer Cincinnati Insurance’s patio heater safety guidance gives the basics your rental terms should reflect:
- Never use a heater indoors, because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep it at least 5 feet from buildings, entrances and exits, and keep decorations, awnings and sunshades more than 5 feet away.
- Set it on firm, level ground, away from strong wind, and not on a balcony.
- Choose a unit with a tip-over switch that shuts off gas if it tilts beyond about 15 degrees, a guard around the heating element, and UL or CSA markings.
- Store propane cylinders outside, away from doors and exits, and change cylinders only when no one is nearby.
Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission lists headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and confusion among the symptoms. One older CPSC recall involved tabletop propane heaters that could emit high carbon monoxide levels, including a death when one was used inside a camper. Always check the CPSC recall list before you buy a model, and inspect each unit before and after every rental.
Tents
Many renters will want to heat a tent. One rental company’s policy advises against using patio heaters under any tent, allows them only under frame tents, and says pop-up tents are not compatible. Follow the manufacturer’s directions, and if you also rent tents, see our guide to starting a tent rental business.
Local Rules, Agreements and Insurance
Many localities restrict or prohibit patio heaters, so check with your local fire department or building authority about both your storage and your customers’ use. Propane storage at home can have its own limits, so ask your fire marshal and your insurer. General information only: rules vary by city and state.
Use a written rental agreement that covers who sets up the unit, who is responsible for damage and loss, safe-use rules and a deposit. Our posts on damage deposits and rental agreements and rental business insurance explain the basics. Before you rent any fuel-burning equipment, talk to an insurance agent, because a standard homeowner’s policy may not cover rental activity.
Should You Start With Heaters?
Heaters can be a profitable add-on in cold months, but they work best alongside tables, chairs and tents you already rent. Begin with a few well-made units, deliver and set them up yourself so you can check the site, and teach every customer the safety rules in writing.
More on Garage Business Blueprint
- Starting a Tent Rental Business From Home
- Damage Deposits and Rental Agreements for a Small Equipment Rental Business
- Insurance for a Small Equipment or Party Rental Business: The Coverage Types Explained
