Home > Press releases > 2008 > B&Q to stop selling patio heaters
Jan 22 2008
Friends of the Earth has welcomed B&Q’s decision to stop selling patio heaters because of the damage that they cause to the environment. B&Q is the largest retailer of patio heaters in the UK.
The environmental campaign group has been urging companies to stop selling patio heaters for a number of years, and is now calling on the Government to ban them as part of its efforts to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions [1].
Last year both Notcutts and Wyevale announced that they would no longer sell gas or electric patio heaters once their existing stock was sold.
Friends of the Earth campaigner Ed Matthew said
“These carbon- belching monstrosities waste energy and cause needless damage to our environment. We are delighted that B&Q has decided to stop selling these products. But the Government must now act and ban patio heaters. It’s time to get tough on tackling climate change.”
The Energy Saving Trust has estimated that a propane patio heater with a heat output of 12.5kW will produce around 34.9kg of CO2 before the fuel runs out (after approximately 13 hours). This is equivalent to the energy required to produce approximately 5,200 cups of tea (or 400 cups for every hour of operation) [1]
1. UK Carbon dioxide emissions have risen under Labour, despite promises of substantial cuts. The Government is currently piloting its Climate Change Bill through Parliament. The Bill will require legally-binding cuts in UK emissions of 60 per cent by 2050. Friends of the Earth - which has led the campaign for a climate change law - says that the bill should be strengthened to require 80 per cent carbon dioxide cuts by 2050, and include Britain’s share of international shipping and aviation emissions.
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
