AIBU to think all outdoor garden heaters are crap for the environment?

[Sundiamond]

Discussion with partner. I believe that all the outdoor garden/patio heaters are crap for the environment?

He wants to buy one and is disputing this...

So, please confirm I'm right. And if I'm not please let me know which one you bought!

Yeah, having untreated sewage about is totally comparable to not burning unnecessary fuel for outdoor heating

@contrmary

What's the difference between having an outside heater and having a fan or aircon to keep cool? Both are using power to adjust the natural temperature. If you argue heating the outside is unnecessary, so are a lot of things - cars, bicycles, central heating, sewage treatment, schools, television, books. All have an impact on the environment and could be done without (indeed, have been done without for the majority of human history.)

It would be more like having air con on outside. No-one is saying don’t have heating inside, it is just having heating outside is just totally daft.

Of course they are. They should be illegal.

I mean, I'm sure they would be if anyone used them but in reality most of them slowly rot in the back garden until they are put out for the ragbow man.

Agree, OP. Don’t know why they’re legal.

They’re also naff.

Well it's easy to see why the planet is fucked. I make decisions wanting to be able to look my children in the eye and say I did my bit for their planet.

Op YANBU. If it is too cold to sit outside then put on a coat or sit inside, don't needlessly screw over the planet. I hope other countries ban them like France has

I'd imagine they'll be everywhere from September/October when the temperatures drop.

Hot water bottle and a hoodie. Sorted.

@MrsApplepants

Hot water bottle and a hoodie. Sorted.

Perfect! At a push maybe a chiminea or fire pit? Collect a bit of wood, I use recycled coffee grounds (made into briquettes) But don't get a gas fired one. For occasional use.

But surely the obvious point is that with Covid, people don't want to or cant just go inside if they are with other households. They want to spend time with friends or family after months of zoom calls etc but many, including my dad, are still not comfortable with anyone outside immediate family indoors so as the weather cools, he and many others will become isolated once again. Im not disputing the environmental issue but realistically, many people are going to place that second at the moment, as we already are with disposabale gloves, masks, single use everything etc

Shockingly bad for the environment. Don’t do it

If people don’t want to have others over (I don’t personally), then we’re going to have to go to restaurants where they are doing social distancing well. Or stay in

YaNNU

@heartsonacake

Okay, so they’re bad for the environment. That doesn’t change my second point. If you want one, get one.

It’s not something I’m interested in but if I wanted one this wouldn’t stop me.

That is an incredibly selfish point of view.

The environment isn't some distant object of interest only to botanists and naturalists, it's what we all live in.

I hate them and cringe when I see them, I'd love it if they were banned. To play devils advocate though, I suppose they are no worse than a million other things we do, including having our in home heating on all day, you can wear a coat inside as well.

They should be illegal.

We bought one this summer (like a restaurant one) and I am embarrassed to say the environmental factor did not even occur to me. For those questioning why one would want one though, we have been able to have friends outside for dinner in comfort- even when it gets dark it’s no issue as there’s a powerful light.