![]() ![]() ![]() The problem is that infrared heaters only heat whatever is in the path of radiation, like a hot torch. This is more efficient in an outdoor setting and the effect is instant as soon as the heater comes on. Unlike other heaters that warm the air around us, infrared heaters work by “shining” infrared radiation directly at its target. Infrared heaters warm the person, not the space There are greener alternatives, such as heaters that run on biogas or bioethanol from waste which burn cleanly and do not rely on fossil fuels, but this is still a very inefficient use of energy. An equivalent, more efficient electric system would only use one-fifth of that energy, would be cheaper to run, and during the same evening would produce less than a kg of carbon dioxide. While a patio heater warms you, it is also warming up the air and area around you – ultimately wasting energy.Ī typical gas-powered patio heater warming your table during a night out for just a couple of hours, might use up a huge 108 MJ and emit 3 kg CO2. However they are highly controversial as they mainly run on fossil fuels and, as their heat is largely dissipated, they are an extravagant use of these carbon-rich fuels. Patio heaters can take the chill off the air temperature thanks to their warm glow coupled with a pleasant warming effect. The wetter the wood the more smoke is produced. Burning wood on an open fire produces more of these harmful particulates than burning coal. The fumes from wood burners are particularly hazardous and they are a major contributor to poor air quality. The World Health Organisation estimates that around 7 million premature deaths each year can be linked to particulates. R.Moore / shutterstockĮven if we ignore the cost and the carbon emissions, we’re still left with the problem that wood, coal and charcoal all produce lots of dust particles. Wood and coal can keep you warm – at a price. Yes, an efficient outdoor woodburning stove will help the fuel burn hotter, and produce less emissions, but these can be expensive and the performance will vary with the quality and dryness of the wood. How much heat is produced can also vary depending on how concentrated the energy is in the fuel and, for wood fires, how much water is in the wood.ĭried wood only has a calorific value (a measure of how much heat it will emit) of around 15 megajoules (MJ) per kg, whereas lightweight, cleaner-burning charcoal has an efficiency of around 30 MJ per kg, which is better than coal at 25 MJ per kg. These are widely popular but can significantly add to air pollution. The simplest outdoor heating option is a firepit or a log burner. So how can we keep everyone warm outside – without generating a huge carbon footprint? Fire is simple, but… ![]() Regular patio heaters are hugely inefficient for use outdoors since so much of the heat they generate is simply lost as there are no walls and ceilings to hold it in. But as temperatures drop and covid restrictions remain in place, socialising outdoors becomes more tricky (even after lockdown). Over the summer, eating outdoors was a pleasant way to socialise more safely at pubs, restaurants and in gardens. ![]()
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