Make Your Outdoor Area Usable Through Winter

Adelaide nights drop into single digits June through August. A properly installed outdoor electric heater means your alfresco, deck, or pergola is the warmest spot in the house — not the spot you stop using until October.

Marcus installs all the major brands — Heatstrip, Bromic, Heller, Solamagic, Thermofilm, IXL Outdoor — on a dedicated weatherproof circuit with RCBO protection. Hardwired or plug-in. No subcontractors. Quote on call.

Why Outdoor Heaters Need a Licensed Electrician

A 3.6kW radiant strip heater pulls roughly 15 amps continuous. Plug that into a shared 10A outdoor power point and you're either tripping the safety switch every five minutes — or worse, slowly cooking the wiring inside your wall.

Outdoor environments add weather, moisture, and UV exposure on top. The cable, mounting hardware, isolators and conduit all need IP-rated weatherproof components — not the standard indoor stuff.

• Dedicated circuit — high-watt heaters get their own breaker so they don't fight other appliances
• RCBO protection — individual safety switch + circuit breaker per outdoor circuit
• Weatherproof IP55+ outlets and isolators — rated for rain, dust and Adelaide summer heat
• Compliant clearances — minimum distances from timber pergola roofs, fabric awnings, and combustible material
• Switchboard capacity check — confirming your board can handle the new load before adding it
• Certificate of Electrical Safety — required by SA law for any new circuit installation

Brands We Install Across Adelaide

Already bought a heater? Bring it. Don't have one yet? Marcus can give you an honest opinion on what suits your space and budget. The major Australian outdoor heater brands we install:

Where We Install

• Alfresco areas — the most common install. Mounted to ceiling beams or pergola structure for even heat coverage.
• Pergolas & outdoor entertaining areas — multiple heaters for larger spaces, zoned with separate switching.
• Decks & verandas — wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted depending on overhead clearance.
• BBQ & outdoor kitchens — keeping the cook warm while the grill does the work.
• Outdoor bars & courtyards — commercial and residential.
• Balconies — apartment-friendly compact heaters with proper clearance.

What's Included in Every Install

• On-site assessment of your space, mounting position, and clearances
• Switchboard capacity check (and honest answer on whether it needs upgrading)
• New dedicated outdoor circuit with RCBO protection
• Weatherproof IP-rated outlet, isolator switch and conduit where exposed
• Heater mounted to manufacturer specification with correct clearances
• Clean cable management — no exposed runs, no cowboy work
• Testing, commissioning & functional check
• Certificate of Electrical Safety on completion

Typical Install Timeline

1. Quote (same day): Send a few photos of your alfresco/deck area + your switchboard. Quote within 2 hours.
2. Schedule (same week): Most installs booked within 5 days.
3. Install (2–6 hours): Single heater on accessible alfresco usually 2–4 hours. Multiple heaters or long cable run: half a day.
4. Certificate: AS/NZS compliance certificate provided on the day.

Why Choose Marcus?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an electrician to install an outdoor heater?

Yes — any hardwired outdoor electric heater install in Australia must be done by a licensed electrician. Outdoor environments need IP-rated weatherproof wiring, RCD/RCBO protection on the circuit, and often a dedicated circuit because radiant heaters draw 1.5–3.6kW. DIY installs aren't legal, void manufacturer warranties, and create real fire and shock risk in wet conditions.

What outdoor heater brands do you install?

All the majors — Heatstrip, Bromic Heating, Heller, Solamagic, Thermofilm, IXL Outdoor, Devanti. Whether you've already bought one or want a recommendation, the install process is the same: dedicated weatherproof circuit, IP-rated cabling, RCBO protection, mounted to manufacturer spec, tested and certified.

Can I plug an outdoor heater into a regular outdoor power point?

Smaller plug-in heaters (under ~2.4kW) can use a standard weatherproof 10A GPO. But anything above that needs a dedicated circuit — overloading a shared circuit trips the safety switch or, worse, melts wiring inside the wall. Hardwired ceiling and wall-mounted radiant strips always need a dedicated weatherproof circuit installed by a licensed electrician.

Where can outdoor heaters be installed?

Alfresco areas, pergolas, patios, decks, BBQ areas, outdoor bars, balconies. Heaters need minimum clearances from combustibles (timber pergola roofs, fabric shade sails, awnings) — usually 300–500mm depending on model. We'll assess the space and pick a mounting point that meets clearance and gives even heat coverage.

Will my switchboard handle a new outdoor heater circuit?

Most modern Adelaide switchboards have spare capacity for one or two outdoor heaters. Older boards (pre-1990s, ceramic fuses, no RCDs) often need a switchboard upgrade first. As part of the quote Marcus checks your switchboard capacity and tells you straight whether you need an upgrade or whether it'll handle the new circuit fine.

How long does an outdoor heater install take?

Single heater on an existing accessible alfresco: usually 2–4 hours. Multiple heaters or long cable run from the switchboard through walls/ceiling: half a day. If a switchboard upgrade is needed at the same time, plan for a full day. You'll know exactly how long when you get the quote — no surprises.

What areas in Adelaide do you service?

Adelaide metro within roughly 30km of the CBD — eastern suburbs (Burnside, Norwood, Unley, Magill, Walkerville), inner south (Mitcham, Goodwood, Glenelg, Brighton), CBD & North Adelaide, inner north (Prospect, Vale Park, Walkerville). Owner-operated by Marcus on every job.