Q&A's for Patio Heater Press Launch

Q: Why are you talking about the effects of patio heaters on the environment now?

A: We have decided to talk about the effects now because of the increasing amount of press coverage in relation to environmental issues. We have been concerned about how accurate some of these stories are and and wanted to gauge what the public really thought and understood about everyday products. And the results demonstrate that people just don’t have the right information about products they are using every day so we wanted to set the records straight.

Q: Are you telling me that patio heaters are actually good for the environment?

A: The purpose of the event isn’t to convince you that patio heaters are environmentally friendly, as nearly all appliances cause some CO2 emissions – it’s about putting the relative impact into a proper context.

Q: Why are Calor becoming so environmentally aware all of a sudden?

A: Calor is committed to minimising the impact of its business on the environment. For example; investment of telemetry technology for managing gas deliveries to bulk tanks has resulted in a reduction of 10% in the vehicle fleet and reduced the number of kilometres travelled by 989,680 kilometres, this equates to almost one thousand tonnes less CO2 emissions annually. These savings were made against a back drop of increased gas sales.

In addition, LPG is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to other fuels and achieves the following direct savings of CO2 emissions:

  • 20% saving on road transport versus petrol

  • 13% saving versus heating oil

  • Up to 80% versus electric

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Patio Heater Speciific Questions

Q: How many patio heaters do you sell each year?

A: During 2006, Calor owned Calor Centres and web site sold less than 1,000 patio heaters.

Q: How many patio heaters are there in the UK at present?

A: According to the Market Transformation Programme, it estimates that there are 630,000 domestic patio heaters in the UK.

Q: I have heard that patio heaters just heat the outdoors air rather than the people underneath it – is this true?

A: Patio heaters aren’t actually designed, or used, to ‘heat the outdoors’ – they are used to keep people warm in an outdoor environment. They do this through radiant heat, which is the same kind of heat you get from the glow of a gas or electric radiant fire.

People enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends and patio heaters help people have a more ‘alfresco’ lifestyle, especially in Britain’s unpredictable climate. For example, if you’ve organised a family BBQ or party and the weather turns cooler, using a patio heater for a couple of hours can help keep people warm and keep the party going outdoors, rather than abandoning it and going indoors which would result in people using electricity for lighting, heating and entertainment.

Whilst patio heaters are more environmentally sensitive than their electric alternatives kilowatt for kilowatt, we would always advise our customers to use them in a responsible and efficient manner.

Q: Do your patio heaters have temperature controls?

A: All our patio heaters are fitted with a power control which alters the level of heat emitted from the
appliance. We advise customers that patio heaters should only be used on full power during the initial minutes of use. Half power, or less, for the rest of the time will usually be sufficient as once the mesh around the burner is hot, half power is enough to maintain a comfortable heat output.

Q: Apparently patio heaters have pushed up Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions by 380,000 tonnes a year – is this correct? What do you intend to do about it?

A: This figure is grossly inaccurate and highly misleading because it is based on an estimate of the maximum CO2 output of every patio heater in circulation, regardless of how often or long they’re used for.

A more accurate way of measuring emissions from patio heaters is to look at how much gas the market consumes. Market Transformation, the statistics source used by the Government, has calculated that the total of around 6,500 tonnes of LPG consumed by the patio heater market would produce just over 22,200 tonnes of CO2, which is around a twentieth of the figure quoted. To put this into perspective this emissions figure equates to just 0.002% of all UK carbon emissions.

Q: How cold do you think it needs to be before people use a patio heater?

A: This is a personal choice and we can’t tell our customers when and how they should be using their appliance. Obviously it isn’t sensible to be sitting outside in the rain or snow. I think people need to make a judgement for themselves but act responsibly and we offer this advice through our website and upon purchase.

Q: If members of the public are concerned about the environmental impact of patio heaters, where can they go for more information/who can they contact?

A: They should go to calor.co.uk

Q: Why shouldn’t people just put on warmer clothing if they want to sit outside?

A: There’s nothing to stop people putting on warmer clothing if they want to – it’s all about choice. We recognise that people enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends and patio heaters help people do that. If you’re having people over for a BBQ or party in the summer it’s good to be able to stay out later in the evening by using a patio heater for a few hours. But it’s important to recognise that patio heaters are generally used on an occasional basis for a few hours at a time, generally in the evening when temperatures have dropped, often as an alternative to going indoors and putting on a fire or the central heating.

Q: How many CO2 emissions does a patio heater give off each year?

A: Based on 630,000 patio heater and Market Transformation, the statistics source used by Government, each patio heater is estimated to produce 35kg of CO2 each year.

Q: I have heard that patio heaters give off over one million tonnes of CO2 emissions – is this true?

A: No, it is grossly inaccurate. This figure was quoted last year in the press but has been recognised as being inaccurate by the Government. The Market Transformation Programme, run by the Government agrees that the UK population of 630,000 domestic patio heaters produces 22,200 tonnes of CO2 – which equates to 35kg per heater.

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Responsible Usage Questions

Q: Do you give customers any guidelines on usage to help preserve energy?

A: Yes, a “Responsible and safe usage of LPG Alfresco Appliances” leaflet is included with every Calor fuelled patio heater sold and is also available at most major appliance stockists. This leaflet encourages responsible and efficient use of patio heaters and provides further advice. The information is also available on the website calor.co.uk. Calor have also produced a new leaflet for patio heaters “Patio Heaters – a users guide”.

Q: Isn’t Calor being irresponsible promoting additional energy consumption?

A: No, we’re not being irresponsible. We take our social responsibility and environmental commitments very seriously. We have a “Responsible and safe usage of LPG Alfresco Appliances” leaflet which was commended by the Environment Agency who praised the initiative. The leaflet encourages responsible and efficient use of patio heaters and is included with every Calor patio heater sold and is also available at most major appliance stockists. The information is also available on our website calor.co.uk.

We recognise that people enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends and patio heaters help people have a more ‘alfresco’ lifestyle. Patio heaters are generally used on an occasional basis for a few hours at a time, in the evening when temperatures have dropped, often as an alternative to going indoors and putting on a fire or the central heating.

Whilst patio heaters are more environmentally sensitive than their electric alternatives kilowatt for kilowatt, we would always advise our customers to use them in a responsible and efficient manner.

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Smoking Ban Questions

Q: How do you think the smoking ban will affect the sale of patio heaters?

A: We have not seen a dramatic upturn in sales in Scotland since the smoking ban was introduced last year.

Q: Doesn’t this mean you are going to be responsible for increasing CO2 emissions?

A: Calor has never campaigned for the smoking ban – we are merely providing a solution to a problem being faced by publicans and smokers across the country.

Q: How many patio heaters will a pub need to cater for smokers going outside?

A: A single 15kW patio heater can generate sufficient heat to comfortably heat up to ten people – to maximise the heat and efficiency emitted, appliances can be used in conjunction with a flame retardant gazebo or with an awning (minimum distance from heat source required). By providing a comfortable, heated space, smokers will not feel like they are being forced outside, but will feel that they are still valued customers who have been provided with an alternative space to relax and enjoy a drink.

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Issued on behalf of Calor by Bright, 10 St Catherine’s Court, Herbert Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3QE For further information please contact Leona/Abson/Michelle Simpson at Bright on Tel: +44 (0) 121 711 5000 Fax: +44 (0) 121 711 5001 or Email: .