Responsible retailers should drop the sale of patio heaters to help protect the environment, a green group said today.
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) advised consumers to wear extra jumpers instead of huddling by the heaters.
Its calls follow research which says domestic patio heater ownership will double to 2.3 million in the UK.
The average patio heater emits around 50kg (110lb) of carbon dioxide per year, the EST said.
Commercial use
This figure is greater for heaters used outside pubs, clubs, restaurants and other commercial premises because they’re bigger in size.
Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the EST, said: ‘We are calling for responsible retailers to re-consider the sale of patio heaters in light of the substantial amount of carbon emissions they produce.
‘Why don’t people just wear a jumper?’
The EST is an independent organisation which aims to tackle climate change.
Its research into consumer attitudes to patio heaters were part of a wider ‘green barometer’ report which drew on interviews with 1,192 people.
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