Sunglo A270 Portable Propane Patio Heater, 40,000 BTU

Sunglo A270 Portable Propane Patio Heater, 40,000 BTU

The A270 carries its own fuel. A 20 pound propane cylinder sits inside the post, so the heater needs no gas line, no hose across the patio and no electrical connection, and it goes wherever you put it. Sunglo rates it at 40,000 BTU per hour. It stands 93 inches tall on a 20 inch weighted base, under a 34 1/2 inch aluminum reflector, in powder coated black or stainless steel.

Self contained, and quick to take apart

A quick connect gas coupling in the post lets the heater come apart for storage or transport, which matters for a piece that lives outside in season and in a garage the rest of the year. The hose and regulator are supplied with the heater. The cylinder is not included, and Sunglo is firm that only the supplied regulator and hose assembly may be used with it.

Lights from a battery, runs on nothing else

A battery operated spark igniter fires the pilot, powered by a single AA cell, and a thermal safety shutoff closes the gas if the flame goes out. There is no wiring, no transformer and no outlet needed anywhere. The heat is infrared, so it lands on people and surfaces instead of warming air that an open patio would carry away.

Coverage and spacing

Sunglo publishes a heat coverage of 10 feet by 10 feet and notes that coverage varies with how exposed the patio is. Their spacing guidance is 15 feet apart in well protected areas, 12 feet in semi exposed areas and 8 feet in completely exposed areas. The certified wind rating is 10 mph horizontal, and a stronger cross wind is one of the conditions Sunglo lists as shutting the heater down.

Specifications

• Input: 40,000 BTU per hour
• Fuel: propane only, from a 20 pound cylinder housed in the post
• Overall height: 93 inches
• Reflector: 34 1/2 inch aluminum
• Base: 20 inch weighted base, 58 pounds
• Ignition: battery operated spark ignition, AA cell
• Safety: thermal safety shutoff
• Electrical: none required
• Supplied: hose and regulator. Cylinder not included
• Clearance to combustibles: 18 inches top, 24 inches side, 84 inches below
• Heat coverage: 10 feet by 10 feet
• Rain protected, CSA design certified

Where it can and cannot go

Outdoors only. Sunglo states that this heater shall not be used in a building, a garage or any other enclosed area, and as an unvented appliance it needs 4 cfm of supply and exhaust air for every 1,000 BTU of input. Keep 18 inches above it, 24 inches at the sides and 84 inches below the head clear of anything combustible. If you are not sure the spot works, send us a photo and we will tell you.