There is now a lot of discussion regarding phasing out radiant heaters – for example in the city centre: a motion to do without radiant heaters was accepted this week by all parties represented in the district parliament, with the exception of the FPÖ. However, turning off the heaters is not mandatory for restaurateurs.
Due to the autumn temperatures, many passers-by were already out and regarding with thick jackets and, in some cases, bonnets. In some sidewalk cafés, however, this is not necessary at all due to radiant heaters. In the Wollzeile, for example near Plachutta, some guests even sat on the terrace with short sleeves.
Opinions differ
The opinions on getting out of the heating pads differ among the guests. “It was actually never good, but I think you have to understand the people who want to sit outside and who also want to be warm. You also have enough for drinks, for coffee and co. You would like to have something warm as well. But of course it’s a controversial matter,” said a passer-by.
“I’m actually not that much of a fan of it because it’s actually completely wasted energy that’s actually just being heated away. So it just fizzles out, a bit unnecessarily,” replied another guest.
“Winter like it used to be” at Cafe Landtmann
15 years ago, Bernd Querfeld installed his first radiant heaters in Cafe Landtmann. He picked up the idea in Paris and brought it to Vienna with him – this year it’s going to be twisted. “We have started a campaign to use ten percent of energy within the company and the first thing we can do is switch off the radiant heaters. It’s just a winter like it used to be or like it was earlier once more in autumn. Take blankets, dress warmly and drink coffee while you can,” said Querfeld.
The guests here were satisfied with the ceilings – not only is energy saving more important now, said one lady: “Unfortunately, the fear of expensive gas is greater than the foresight for the climate. But it makes sense for both.”
“If the guest wants it, I turn it up”
Most of the restaurants that are equipped with heating pads also turned them on at a “Vienna Today” local inspection on Sunday – including Erich Heindl in his Schmarrn und Palatschinkenkuchl. “If the guests didn’t want it, I wouldn’t turn it up. The guest always gives the answer: if the guest wants it, I turn it up, if not, not. I’m not the enemy of my own money,” said Heindl.
These heating elements would be infrared devices and would consume little electricity, and if you use them to bring more customers into the restaurant, it is worth more to him as a restaurateur following the deprivations caused by the pandemic “than a few kilowatt hours of electricity”.
