Patio heaters: the debate rages on

Pubs are once again at the epicentre of a heated debate.

But this time it isn't the obvious topics: smoking, binge-drinking or underage drinking.

No, it's patio heaters. In one corner are environmental campaigners, highlighting the threat these pose to our planet, while in the other are the suppliers who suggest the issue is being hyped up.

With the advent of the smoking ban pubs have been investing in patio heaters in the hope of keeping smokers and al fresco drinkers and diners happy. So how worried should for eco-conscious licensees be?

Among those opposing patio heaters is the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

According to its research, more than a third of smokers say they would look for a pub or a bar with a patio heater.

But the group urges people to only consider using pubs and bars without patio heaters. There's one solution that campaigners think is easy for customers to adopt in combating cold weather.

"Why don't people just wear a jumper?" asks Philip Selwood, chief executive of the EST.

"Landlords are helping to make patio heaters desirable - which they are not." The EST says they are a wasteful appliance, in that their job is "essentially to heat the open air".

Outdoor heaters also took another knock earlier this year when leading garden chain Wyevale announced it was stopping selling the items. Friends of the Earth also urge people to stop buying these types of heaters. Other alternatives it suggests include wood-burning chimeneas, braziers, or electric heaters, which emit less CO2.

No upturn​

However, those in the other camp claim the issue is being blown out of all proportion.

Andrew Ford, corporate affairs manager for Calor, claims each heater produces 35kg of CO2 a year and there has not been a significant upturn in sales from the smoking ban. "When people do buy them, they don't use them all the time," says Ford.

"In the case of pubs, licensees are generally quite careful when using them and are obviously concerned about costs."

He has also heard stories of licensees getting criticised by their customers for using gas-powered heaters, but Ford feels this is unjustified. "These people are just trying to make a living," he says. And he is dismissive of the extra clothing solution. "The only person who is allowed to tell me when to put a jumper on is my mother and I don't always listen to her," he says. "How bossy and simplistic is that?"

Carbon offsetting​

Instead, Ford suggests that licensees should look at Calor's carbon offsetting scheme, which was launched in March.

This means that pubs can buy an offset and will be sent a sticker to prove they are doing their bit for the environment.

Calor works with a not-for-profit organisation called Equiclimate which offsets CO2 emissions by buying carbon allowances from a number of countries so that they are forced to produce less carbon.

Ford adds: "I would encourage licensees to look at carbon off-setting, which will allow their customers to enjoy an al fresco experience without any guilt. My message to licensees is: don't feel guilty.

Put a sticker on and carry on." However, some pubs are still waiting to see how the patio heater debate pans out before making a decision to purchase.

Sarah Ryder, assistant manager at the Horseshoe, in Matlock Green, Derbyshire, said they are considering buying a patio heater but are waiting to see how the issue concludes.

"It would be a good idea for us, but some of our customers might question it," she says. But at the Faltering Fullback in Finsbury Park, North London, licensee Patrick Fitzsimmons has already made up his mind. He says: "We've had a patio heater for a few weeks, but we are now switching to electric heaters because it's cheaper."

How to use a heater responsibly​

• Position your seating close to the heater - Put your patio heater on full power only during the initial minutes of use. Half power or less will usually be sufficient for the rest of the time
• Wear sensible outdoor clothing and turn your patio heater down when the weather warms up
• Consider investing in a specially designed flame-resistant gazebo
• Never use a gazebo with a patio heater not specifically designed for that purpose
• Position your patio heater away from strong winds.