Outdoor heaters could become a thing of the past

Outdoor patio heaters could shortly become history should MEPs choose to ban them today.

The EU parliament is likely to back a resolution that will require the use of low energy efficiency appliances to be phased out, specifically targeting patio heaters.

The motion urges the EU to act promptly to introduce minimum standards for energy efficiency.

The motion also discusses such appliances as television ‘decoder’ boxes, light bulbs and air-conditioning whilst additionally calling for an elimination of the stand-by mode.

If the measures proposed were enforced they would cost caterers, restaurants and pubs in the region of £250m lost revenue per annum.

Whether or not MEPs vote to stop wasteful energy appliances, the measure would not be legally enforceable.

It seems that patio heaters have now been put in the same league as the 4 x 4 vehicle. Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth, put forward the idea that it is ridiculous to be wasting energy and propelling carbon dioxide out to heat the open air.

Chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust suggested that, if chilly, people should simply put on a jumper.

Yet National expert reviewer for the UN Framework Convention on climate change, Dr Eric Johnson has claimed that plasma televisions actually produce more carbon dioxide than outdoor heaters when you consider how often each is generally used. He states how the impact of outdoor heaters on greenhouse gases and global warming is very minimal.

Governmental figures show domestic patio heater emissions to be 22,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide. However this figure is just 0.002% of total UK CO2 emissions.

Retailers including Marks and Spencer, B&Q and Wyevale Garden Centres have all already banned the sale of patio heaters.

Liberal Democrat MP for the North-East, Fiona Hall, wrote the energy-efficiency report for the European parliament. She spoke of the acknowledgement that climate change can be aided by the use of renewables but put forward the idea that the fastest and cheapest way to cut CO2 emissions is energy efficiency.