The UK’s Energy Saving Trust (EST) is leading the way in urging retailers to stop selling patio heaters because they apparently produce ‘substantial’ amounts of carbon emissions.

Patio heaters are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in places such as the UK, thanks to their heating properties which allow consumers to extend their outdoor entertainment hours by radiating comfortable warmth. Many pubs and restaurants use patio heaters during summer nights and into the autumn to allow more patrons to enjoy the al-fresco dining experience.

A spokesman for the EST has said that the patio resources are a bad waste of resources and customers should put on a jumper instead of utilizing the patio heater’s warmth. According to the EST, the average patio heater uses the same amount of energy that a gas cooker would use in six months, meaning over the course of a year, a patio heater emits around 50kg of carbon dioxide.

So are patio heaters in danger of becoming the next 4×4, reviled for their carbon emissions and un-eco friendly stance? Would the ban of patio heaters really make a huge difference to carbon emissions?. In the UK, patio heaters are estimated to produce about 0.002% of all carbon emissions from the country – so a ban of patio heaters would do virtually nothing for the state of the environment and their vilification comes from the fact they are an easy target.

Instead of attacking particular products, it would be more productive to change attitudes and encourage people to think about their actions so they can make informed choices about their lifestyle rather than having choices imposed on them.

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