Are electric patio heaters bad for the environment?

Yeah they are not that much environment friendly but they have some advantages over the other heatrs which makes it bit more preferred. Electric Patio Heater can be switched on and off easily as needed, so you don't need to burn the heater all evening if there is no one on the patio. Often they are twinned up with motion sensors, which creates an automated heating system. Electric heating can also be more focussed, pointing the heat directly at the target.

One thing most people forget is that electricity is not truly an energy 'source' it is a means to transmit energy. Something has to generate it whether hydro-electric dam, nuclear reactor, coal plant or natural gas generating station; all of which convert matter into energy and release heat, and/or greenhouse gasses...

The transmission lines carrying electricity generate magnetic fields around them, and not enough study has been done to determine the long term effects of prolonged exposure to them.

To heat an outdoor area using electricity as method not only adds terms to the immediate area, but globally as well, once matter becomes energy we have yet to figure out how to reverse the process. It also adds therms to the global environment at the generation source.

So, while one such heater would have little effect on its own, ANY use of electricity ultimately is harmful to the environment, yes...even hybrid cars....

They like all appliances use carbon based fuel which has an impact on the environment. So speaking in general terms they are not good for the environment. It is an inefficient way to heat an area as most of the heat is radiated out and not contained they also do not have thermostatic control so even if you did have a semi contained area they will still consume the same amount of energy. In summary they are a luxury item and should be used sparingly and turned off when you don't need them. Similarly you could argue with many other things we like a life of comfort and convenience all which comes at a "price".

There has been some debate about it, in America they are seen as environmentally friendly, but in the UK they are seen as more carbon intensive