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When I lived in France, gas-powered "heating mushrooms" were a common sight in most restaurants and cafés. They basically generate radiation heat so people can

When I lived in France, gas-powered "heating mushrooms" were a common sight in most restaurants and cafés. They basically generate radiation heat so people can comfortably sit outdoors in the early spring / late autumn months. I always thought that this seemed like a capital waste of energy, basically "heating" an unenclosed outdoor space. In the grand scheme of things those heaters probably don't make much of a dent in the overall energy consumption (but who knows), I think we should ban them though as it really sends the wrong signal. Not only a problem in France, in Germany I see them everywhere as well.

seer 5y ago
Especially since there are much better alternatives - the infra red heaters would heat just the patrons, not the whole air around them, and I'd wager are much more efficient. And you can always just give out blankets.
ewidar 5y ago
FYI this is being banned in multiple cities in France https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/ou-en-est-la-loi-interdisant-les-terrasses-chauffees-20211025_FCAK52TIOBFSTPWCIRT4CDKAPE/ https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/ou-en-est-la-loi-interdi...
dtech 5y ago
There's occasional calls to ban them in NL, but it's so contentious that's it not worth the political capital compared to the energy they waste. Luckily I see infrared heaters more and more which fulfil the same role but are much more efficient, and with the current energy prices the financial incentives might be good enough that places replace them voluntarily.
ChuckNorris89 5y ago
> I always thought that this seemed like a capital waste of energy, basically "heating" an unenclosed outdoor space. If we're on the topic of nations wasting energy, let's talk about the US (no hate, just pointing out the facts). I was shocked to see Las Vegas casinos on the strip keeping all the doors open while running the AC at full blast to have 22C in the middle of the desert, basically outdoor. Single pane windows in Miami that don't even close properly and have no outdoor blinds to not let all the sun heat in the house and instead vent it out via the AC, and a general level of poor building insulation that would be illegal in most of Europe. Plus, 4 way stop signs at many intersections causing vehicles to consume unnecessary fuel, tires and brake pads with the accompanying fine dust that comes with it. It all seemed mad to me.
- bestouff 5y ago
  You forgot people bringing their electrical heater because they find the AC in their office is too cold !
  - treeman79 5y ago
    Often it can be too hot at one of duct work and to cold at another. Also some people run hot or cold. Of course then there’s the one job where the owner walked into department saw that everyone was wearing full winter jackets, mittens and scarves. Next day it was more reasonable.
- oliwarner 5y ago
  And Florida only generates 5% of its energy by renewable means (and much of that is burning biomass). You're right. It's madness. It's a strong argument for sustained high fuel prices. The world cannot carry on like this.
ejb999 5y ago
>>In the grand scheme of things those heaters probably don't make much of a dent in the overall energy consumption (but who knows), I think we should ban them though as it really sends the wrong signal. So instead of actually solving problems that waste the most energy, we should virtue signal instead? ban something because 'it sends the wrong message', not because it is an actual problem?
- throwoutway 5y ago
  Once you notice virtue signaling, it’s everywhere!
- modo_mario 5y ago
  How is it virtue signalling tho? These heaters do waste a lot. I find it a hard argument tackle other sources and not this is because they are used less. It's like putting emission regulations on most cars except SUV's only because they're less common in Europe.
  - grujicd 5y ago
    How it is not virtue signaling when OP literally said "sends the wrong signal.". Can't be more clear than that. How many of these heaters are in a typical city? In which period of the year are they turned on? Total is probably mimiscule compared to gas used for heating or cooking.

seer 5y ago

Especially since there are much better alternatives - the infra red heaters would heat just the patrons, not the whole air around them, and I'd wager are much more efficient. And you can always just give out blankets.

ewidar 5y ago

FYI this is being banned in multiple cities in France https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/ou-en-est-la-loi-interdisant-les-terrasses-chauffees-20211025_FCAK52TIOBFSTPWCIRT4CDKAPE/ https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/ou-en-est-la-loi-interdi...

dtech 5y ago

There's occasional calls to ban them in NL, but it's so contentious that's it not worth the political capital compared to the energy they waste. Luckily I see infrared heaters more and more which fulfil the same role but are much more efficient, and with the current energy prices the financial incentives might be good enough that places replace them voluntarily.

ChuckNorris89 5y ago

> I always thought that this seemed like a capital waste of energy, basically "heating" an unenclosed outdoor space. If we're on the topic of nations wasting energy, let's talk about the US (no hate, just pointing out the facts). I was shocked to see Las Vegas casinos on the strip keeping all the doors open while running the AC at full blast to have 22C in the middle of the desert, basically outdoor. Single pane windows in Miami that don't even close properly and have no outdoor blinds to not let all the sun heat in the house and instead vent it out via the AC, and a general level of poor building insulation that would be illegal in most of Europe. Plus, 4 way stop signs at many intersections causing vehicles to consume unnecessary fuel, tires and brake pads with the accompanying fine dust that comes with it. It all seemed mad to me.

bestouff 5y ago
You forgot people bringing their electrical heater because they find the AC in their office is too cold !
- treeman79 5y ago
  Often it can be too hot at one of duct work and to cold at another. Also some people run hot or cold. Of course then there’s the one job where the owner walked into department saw that everyone was wearing full winter jackets, mittens and scarves. Next day it was more reasonable.
oliwarner 5y ago
And Florida only generates 5% of its energy by renewable means (and much of that is burning biomass). You're right. It's madness. It's a strong argument for sustained high fuel prices. The world cannot carry on like this.

ejb999 5y ago

>>In the grand scheme of things those heaters probably don't make much of a dent in the overall energy consumption (but who knows), I think we should ban them though as it really sends the wrong signal. So instead of actually solving problems that waste the most energy, we should virtue signal instead? ban something because 'it sends the wrong message', not because it is an actual problem?

throwoutway 5y ago
Once you notice virtue signaling, it’s everywhere!
modo_mario 5y ago
How is it virtue signalling tho? These heaters do waste a lot. I find it a hard argument tackle other sources and not this is because they are used less. It's like putting emission regulations on most cars except SUV's only because they're less common in Europe.
- grujicd 5y ago
  How it is not virtue signaling when OP literally said "sends the wrong signal.". Can't be more clear than that. How many of these heaters are in a typical city? In which period of the year are they turned on? Total is probably mimiscule compared to gas used for heating or cooking.