Sarah speaking about patio heaters and energy efficiency (Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats <barkinganddagenham@libdems4london.org.uk>

Sarah speaking about patio heaters and energy efficiency

January 31, 2008 12:30 PM
By Sarah Ludford in European Parliament (in writing)
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

I have voted in support of the report, which is on the whole excellent. However paragraph 16 which 'Urges the Commission to establish timetables for the withdrawal from the market of all the least energy-efficient items of equipment, appliances and other energy-using products, such as patio heaters ', would have been better without singling out one particular piece of equipment for a 'ban', since it is only one among many that raise concerns over energy wastage and it is one that many people enjoy using, not least in an urban social context like my own London constituency.

I welcome moves by some retailers to stop selling such heaters in response to consumer pressure, and I would not buy one myself. But I believe that the best course is to set minimum standards for energy efficiency of appliances, inform people of energy consumption and encourage them to consider their overall carbon footprint and choose their appliances, use of transport, social behavior etc. accordingly, rather than to ban patio heaters or any other particular item as such. After all - and hopefully - innovation in response to efficiency standards may deliver more efficient patio heaters.