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Lpg Gas Patio Heaters Still Have Backbone

Despite all the fuss and scare stories over the past year about outdoor heaters, the lp gas patio heater market continues on regardless.

Certainly, media interest about lp gas patio heaters and their contribution to global warming has had an effect on the market. Proposals to ban lpg gas patio heaters by the Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall and Des Turner, Labour MP for Brighton, are still remembered. Lisa Bean, managing director of Sierra Leisure Products Ltd, said: “’I thought they were illegal’ is still a frequent response when I explain to people that I’m in the patio heater business. I spend the early part of most conversations about patio heaters explaining that it’s not a criminal offence to own and use one.”

Fortunately, lpg patio heater suppliers have argued the case well and put into perspective how little carbon dioxide lp gas patio heaters produce relative to other devices. For instance, a large television left on standby produces more carbon dioxide each year than the average annual use of an lp gas patio heater. Similarly, the emissions produced from a single passenger flying from Birmingham to Majorca and back equates to 12 years of average single lpg patio heater use.

Lisa said: “It’s true that some of the big stores have removed lpg gas patio heaters from their product lists and, consequently, the domestic market has diminished. Similarly, the great number of websites that sprang up to take advantage of the interest in lp gas patio heaters mysteriously disappeared when things started to go wrong and service and spare parts were required.”

The backbone of the lpg patio heater market continues to be the commercial sector, where the use of patio heaters is an important part of utilising the outside areas of pubs, cafes and restaurants. Outdoor heaters offer comfort during the chilly summer evenings and, with commercial heaters, right through the winter months.

In addition to Sierra Leisure Products, Lisa Bean has recently created a new company called Patio Heater Doctor Ltd. Lisa and business partner Steve Farrow have set up the company in order to provide advice and support to professional users of lpg gas patio heaters who cannot afford to have their patio heaters not working or, more likely, working inefficiently and, in some situations, working dangerously.

Steve, who is a Gas Safe registered engineer, is on a mission to educate professional users about how vital it is that all lp gas appliances are serviced annually and issued with a Gas Safety Certificate.

“The certificate confirms that the lpg gas appliance is safe and that the work meets safety standards,” said Steve. “Patio heaters are no exception and an annual service and safety inspection will ensure that health and safety and public liability responsibilities are met and will, of course, leave the heaters performing effectively and efficiently. At Patio Heater Doctor, we ensure that all our engineers that undertake any servicing work are Gas Safe registered, showing that they have been checked and are competent and qualified to work safely and legally with lp gas.

“Its easy to check whether an engineer is registered by using the website at www.gassaferegister.co.uk. We are having to work really hard to ensure that publicans, restaurant managers and bar owners are aware that looking after their lp gas patio heaters is not a job for their handyman.

“The main message on the Gas Safe website says it all – gas and cowboys don’t mix!” Patio Heater Doctor issues annual service reminders.

Lisa said: “We have many customers who are now in the habit of an annual service and safety inspection. The Hoste Arms, a 17th century coaching inn in the village of Burnham Market, has been using Sierra lpg patio heaters plumbed into a main tank for five years. Situated in their Moroccan garden, the lp gas heaters have been serviced annually since their purchase and they are still looking good and continue to serve the hotel very well. All we need to do now is to get everyone else in the country to follow their example!”

Contact Patio Heater Doctor Ltd on 01473 735773 www.patioheatersdirect.co.uk

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