We’ve installed Focal heaters on pergolas, patios and under umbrellas, awnings and more. If you can mount a TV, you can mount a Focal rail. This guide breaks down exactly what installation of our personalized electric heaters looks like - and why feasibility shouldn’t hold you back.‍

Why Installation Feels Complicated - and Why It Isn’t

Every week restaurant owners tell us the same thing: “Isn’t electric heat complicated to install?”

That assumption alone has kept hundreds of patios stuck with propane. But the truth is simple:

Installing Focal’s electric heaters in your outdoor space is closer to hanging a light fixture than doing an electrical remodel.

• You don’t need trenching.
• You don’t need panel upgrades.
• You don’t need new wiring.
• And in most cities, you don’t need a permit.

What you do need is a rigid mounting surface and a standard outdoor outlet.‍

The Installation Process (4 Steps)

1️⃣ Mount the rail on a rigid surface

To provide long-lasting heat, Focal rails need a rigid surface. It’s a similar process to mounting a TV into a wall.

• Attach the rail to a pergola, wall, beam, or ceiling joist.
• Use anchors appropriate to your material (wood, concrete, steel).
• No structural modifications or internal wiring required.

This step takes most teams less than an hour.

2️⃣ Slide on the heater modules

Focal’s Duo modules click directly into the rail, like you slide a shower curtain onto a rod.

• No field assembly
• No wiring inside the unit
• No opening the heater
• No specialized labor required

This is the moment operators realize how different Focal is from traditional electric heat.

3️⃣ Maintain clearances

To optimize comfort and airflow, Focal heaters need a small buffer around:

• Ceilings
• Walls
• Overhangs
• Vertical Structures

This is like leaving space behind a commercial fridge to prevent overheating. Your fridge needs a few inches of airflow so it doesn’t overheat. Focal heaters work the same way. 

These clearances ensure top performance and compliance with safety standards.

4️⃣ Plug into a standard outlet

This is the part that surprises most owners. Focal heaters plug into the same outdoor-rated 120V outlets powering:

• Point of service systems
• Lighting
• Warmers
• Signage

Focal isn’t like adding a new hood, running gas lines, or opening up walls. There’s no construction phase. No inspections lined up for weeks. No downtime.‍

Why Simpler Installation Matters

Restaurants need certainty that what works at one location will work just as cleanly and reliably across many.

Propane feels “easy” because tanks arrive ready to use. Electric has historically felt “hard” because heaters needed:

• Electricians
• Circuit upgrades
• Panel changes
• Multi-week construction timelines

Focal flips that equation.

When installation takes hours instead of weeks, patios electrify faster. And when restaurants electrify faster, they save sooner.‍

What Operators Are Saying

A favorite example comes from Anchovy Bar. Their operator, Eli, summed up the shift in one sentence: “We could free up space, save labor, lower energy costs, and get rid of propane entirely.” That’s the power of reducing installation friction.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need a permit to install Focal heaters?
  
  • Not if you’re plugging into an existing outdoor outlet and not modifying electrical infrastructure.Permits may be required if you add new circuits or outlets.
• Do I need to upgrade my panel?
  
  • In most cases, no. Focal heaters are designed to work on standard 120V circuits.
• Do I need an electrician?
  
  • Only if you're adding new outlets or changing wiring. Mounting the rail and plugging in the heater do not require one.
• How long does installation take?
  
  • Most restaurants complete installations in 1–3 hours.
• Can the heaters mount to wood, metal, or concrete?
  
  • Yes; the rail system supports multiple substrates with appropriate anchors.‍

How Focal Simplifies Installation

Focal eliminates the traditional friction points that delay electrification:

• Pre-engineered rail system replaces custom mounting
• Plug-in technology avoids rewiring
• Lightweight modules simplify labor
• No field assembly reduces variability
• Clearances + drawings make compliance straightforward

Most operators say installation is easier than expected.

See What Electrification Looks Like in Your Space

If you’re considering electric heat for your patio, here’s what to look for:

• Mounting as easy as a TV
• Repositioning the heaters as easy as sliding a shower curtain
• Leveraging existing outlets
• Systems that take into account heating air flows 

👉 See the specifics of the Focal product here: https://www.focalheat.co/our-heaters