Currently, only limited information is available about the number of outdoor patio heaters in use in the UK.
The market transformation programme (MTP) estimates that the number of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) patio heaters is around 630,000 in the domestic sector and between 3,000 and 12,500 in the hospitality sector (pubs, restaurants and hotels). This does not include electric outdoor heating appliances, however, which appear to be gaining market share.
The LPG Association has provided sales figures for LPG supplied in cylinders sized for outdoor heating appliances each year. From the association's 2005 figures, the MTP estimates that annual carbon dioxide emissions from patio heaters in the UK are around 22.2 thousand tonnes. No information on other greenhouse gas emissions from outdoor patio heaters is available.
The MTP estimates are not derived from surveys or detailed research, and should not be interpreted as accurate data on energy consumption and carbon emissions. Information about emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is not available for future years.
There is currently no information available on the expected effect on the use and volume of emissions from patio heaters resulting from changes to legislation related to smoking in public places from 1 July 2007. However, the MTP is currently updating its briefing note ‘Outdoor Heating for Comfort’ to look at the possible impacts of the smoking ban on UK carbon dioxide emissions. This is available on the MTP website.
This updates the information I gave in my answer to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) on 14 May 2007, Official Report, column 474W.