Estate Outdoor Room Heating (San Diego 2026): Infrared vs Gas, Clearances, Permits, Comfort Design
Updated February 2026 – San Diego County
Who this is not for: freestanding “cheap patio heaters,” exposed conduit, or price-first bidding where safety, permits, and longevity get traded away.
Heating is one of the fastest ways to turn a patio into a daily-use outdoor room—especially in coastal and evening-windy microclimates.
But heating fails when it’s treated like an add-on. The result is predictable: cold seating zones, smoky fire features, glare, nuisance wind, and electrical/gas scope discovered after hardscape is finished.
This guide compares infrared vs gas heating, shows how to design comfort zones, and outlines the clearance/permit thinking that helps projects get approved and built right the first time.
Educational only (not legal advice). Clearances, mounting heights, and venting requirements vary by product and jurisdiction. Always follow manufacturer installation instructions and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Heating performs best when designed with screens/wind control, lighting scenes, and a trench-once utility backbone.
- Best for wind and open-air patios: radiant infrared (heats people/surfaces, not the air).
- Best “room feel” solution: screens + radiant infrared + lighting scenes (comfort + privacy + nightly use).
- Best for ambience: fire features (great feel, but not always reliable heat in wind).
- Biggest comfort mistake: one heater placed “where it looks good” instead of zoned coverage over seating.
- Biggest cost mistake: deciding heaters after hardscape—then trenching/cutting finished work.
Costs: Outdoor Room Heating (San Diego 2026)
Heating costs vary because comfort is not “one device.” Comfort is coverage (zones), wind strategy, and controls.
Use these as planning ranges, then lock the adders (power routing, gas line, screens, and control scenes).
| Option | Best for | Typical cost drivers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric infrared (radiant) | Elite outdoor rooms, wind-exposed patios, zoned comfort | Heater count, circuit capacity, clean power routing, controls | Best “feels warm even when air is cool” option |
| Gas radiant/overhead | Large zones when gas is easy and venting/clearances are planned | Gas line routing, permit/inspection path, mounting and safety scope | Can be excellent, but planning is critical |
| Fire feature (pit/fireplace) | Ambience + focal point (not always reliable heat) | Gas routing, clearances, wind exposure, seating geometry | Comfort depends heavily on wind and seating distance |
Adders: The 10 Things That Move Heating Performance and Price
| Adder | Why it matters | How to control it |
|---|---|---|
| Wind exposure | Wind defeats convective heat and changes seating comfort | Use radiant heat + screens/wind walls + zone pockets |
| Ceiling height / mounting height | Higher ceilings require different heater strategy and placement | Design for coverage zones rather than a single center unit |
| Electrical capacity | Comfort heaters often need dedicated circuits | Confirm panel capacity early; consider a sub-panel strategy |
| Trenching distance | Long runs and restoration can dominate costs | Define included LF + overage rules + restoration scope |
| Screens / enclosure strategy | Screens reduce wind and increase heater effectiveness | Choose screen type for wind; plan power/data once |
| Control scenes | Elite comfort is scenes, not “on/off” | Specify scenes: Dining • Lounge • Late |
Infrared vs Gas: What Elite Homeowners Choose
| Category | Infrared (radiant) | Gas (heaters / fire) |
|---|---|---|
| Wind performance | Excellent when aimed at seating zones | Can be inconsistent in strong wind (especially open fire) |
| Comfort control | Zoning and scenes are easy and precise | Depends on system; control can be more complex |
| Install complexity | Electrical planning and clean routing are key | Gas routing, inspections, and venting/clearances matter |
| Vibe | Invisible comfort (quiet, controlled) | Fire ambience is unmatched; “heat” varies by design |
Comfort Design (The Part That Makes It Feel “Resort Grade”)
- Zone coverage: put heat above/near the seating zones, not “centered” in the roof.
- Wind strategy: screens, walls, and planting create calm pockets; comfort jumps immediately.
- Ceiling height strategy: tall ceilings need different placement and sometimes more than one heater zone.
- Scene controls: Dining (moderate) • Lounge (warm) • Late (low, quiet).
- Lighting discipline: warm, low-glare scenes make heated spaces feel calm and private.
Specs & Clearances (Safety + Approval Thinking)
Clearances and mounting requirements are product-specific. The safest “estate-grade” approach is to pick the heater model early,
then design placement around manufacturer clearances, service access, and wind exposure.
- Heater model(s): not “heater allowance.” Specific model drives placement and clearances.
- Mounting plan: exact locations, aiming direction, and zone coverage.
- Combustible clearances: plan around beams, finishes, screens, and furnishings.
- Controls: dimming/levels and scene strategy.
- Service access: reachable without removing finished cladding.
Utilities & Trench-Once Planning (Heaters + Screens + A/V)
Heating should be designed as part of the outdoor room backbone. This is where elite projects separate themselves: clean conduit, hardlined data, and planned circuits—done once.
- Dedicated circuits: plan heaters, screens, lighting, and A/V as a system.
- Conduit/sleeves: future-proof under hardscape before it’s finished.
- Sub-panel strategy: reduce long runs and “circuit spaghetti.”
- Data readiness: controls and A/V feel premium when Wi-Fi and Cat6 are planned.
Permits, HOA, and Approvals
Heating often triggers approvals through electrical or gas scope, and HOAs frequently review visible exterior changes.
In coastal, historic, or overlay-heavy areas, treat this as an approvals-aware system early.
- Electrical: new circuits and controls may require permits/inspections depending on jurisdiction and scope.
- Gas: new gas routing and appliance load planning can involve permits/inspections.
- HOA/DRC: structures, screens, and visible hardware often require approval.
- Overlays: historic/Over-45 and coastal review can add timeline steps.
Start with: HOA Approval · Gas & Electrical Permit Guide · Historic Review (Over-45)
Timeline: When to Decide Heating (So You Don’t Pay Twice)
| Phase | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Pick heater model(s) and zone plan early | “Heater allowance” with no model or placement |
| Backbone | Route conduit/gas and controls before hardscape is finished | Cutting finished stone later for power |
| Commissioning | Tune scenes, aiming, and “late mode” comfort | Leaving everything “full blast” as the only mode |
Maintenance (Keep It Quiet and Clean)
- Seasonal check: confirm mounts are tight and aiming is correct.
- Clean surfaces: keep reflectors and housings clean for consistent performance.
- Controls: verify scenes and timers; elite homes avoid “all on, always.”
- Coastal care: in marine layer areas, periodically clean and inspect hardware for corrosion.
Quote Checklist: What to Demand in Writing
If the bid doesn’t say it, it doesn’t exist. This checklist filters out low-quality installs and protects value buyers.
- Heater model numbers: not generic allowances.
- Placement plan: exact locations, aiming direction, and zone coverage over seating.
- Control plan: scenes (Dining • Lounge • Late) and dimming/levels where applicable.
- Electrical/gas scope: circuits or gas routing, included LF, overage rules, and restoration scope.
- Clearance compliance: contractor confirms install meets manufacturer clearances and conditions.
- Permits/HOA: who pulls permits and who pays (in writing).
- QA proof: photos before cover-up for buried routing (conduit/gas where applicable).
FAQs
Is infrared or gas better for outdoor room heating in San Diego?
For wind-exposed patios and true outdoor rooms, radiant infrared is often the best comfort-per-dollar because it heats people and surfaces rather than trying to heat moving air.
Gas can be excellent in the right design, but routing, approvals, and clearances must be planned early.
Do outdoor heaters require permits in San Diego?
Sometimes. New electrical circuits/controls and gas routing commonly trigger permits and inspections depending on jurisdiction and scope. HOA approval is also common for visible exterior changes.
How many heaters do I need?
The right answer depends on seating zones, ceiling height, wind exposure, and the level of enclosure (screens). Elite outdoor rooms typically use zoned coverage rather than a single “centered” heater.
What is the best way to make heaters feel “resort grade”?
Zone the seating areas, add wind control (screens), and use scene controls (Dining • Lounge • Late). Comfort becomes predictable and quiet.
Service Area: Ultra-Affluent San Diego County
We design-build premium outdoor living projects across San Diego County including Rancho Santa Fe (92067/92091), Fairbanks Ranch, La Jolla (92037),
Del Mar (92014), Solana Beach (92075), Coronado (92118), Cardiff-by-the-Sea (92007), Encinitas (92024), Carmel Valley (92130), and Santaluz/Del Sur (92127).