𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Proposals for a ‘ban’ on traditional tumble dryers have been brought forward. Conventional vented and condenser tumble dryers that depend on high-energy heating elements are being phased out, while more energy-efficient ‘heat-pump’ alternatives that recycle warm air and function at lower temperatures are being championed.

This follows government claims that heat-pump dryers could enable families to save nearly £1,000 in energy costs over the appliance’s 20-year lifespan. Under the plans unveiled last week, dryers will receive efficiency ratings, with only those achieving a particular grade permitted to remain available for purchase.

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband has addressed the introduction of new regulations to phase out the sale of traditional vented and condenser tumble dryers in the UK. The policy does not prohibit owning or using existing tumble dryers, but instead restricts the sale of new, less-efficient models in order to achieve Net Zero targets.

In a recently published document, entitled “Raising standards for household tumble dryers”, the Government issued its response to the consultation on raising standards for household tumble dryers and confirmed the final policy decisions. It sets out its intention to introduce a statutory instrument (SI), which “will both raise minimum energy performance standards and reform energy labelling requirements for household tumble dryers sold in Great Britain”.

Detailing the specific regulation, a statement within the document reads: “To improve the efficiency of household tumble dryers, the final regulations introduce a new minimum performance standard that phases out inefficient gas-fired, air-vented, and condenser models.” Setting out the requirement, it further states: “Only tumble dryers with an Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) less than 85 will remain on the market.”

On April 21, 2026, Miliband took to the stage at the National Growth Debate. His speech, entitled ‘The era of clean energy security’, is publicly available on Gov.uk, and in it he expanded upon the government’s “doubling down” on net-zero targets and the necessity for stricter energy efficiency standards for domestic appliances, reports the Mirror.

Addressing the shift in household energy use, Miliband said: “I believe the agenda I have outlined offers an exciting, optimistic and hopeful future for the country, and that really, really matters. Energy and economic security that can withstand this new age of geopolitical instability.

“Warmer homes, lower bills, cleaner air, better technologies. A stable environment for business. Good jobs across our country. And doing the right thing for our children and grandchildren. We owe it to the British people to deliver. We can, we must, we will do it together.” The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) states that the measure “would effectively phase out the sale of more inefficient” dryers.

It continues: “To meet our net zero target, it is crucial to reduce energy consumption from domestic appliances. Phasing out the least energy-efficient household tumble dryers could contribute to achieving the targets set in the fifth and sixth carbon budgets.”

A DESNZ spokesperson said: “Energy efficient tumble dryers will save households up to £910 over their machine’s 20-year lifetime – putting money back into the pockets of hard-working people. Every tumble dryer model on the British market must comply with stringent safety regulations. There are no current specific safety concerns with heat pump tumble dryers.”

The legislation employed to enforce this is the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Household Tumble Dryers) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/318). A crucial statutory provision states: “The condensation efficiency of a condenser tumble dryer must not be lower than 80%.” This represents a technical benchmark that effectively rules out most conventional non-heat-pump variants.

On April 21, Miliband also delivered a written statement to Parliament entitled “Further and Faster on Clean Power”. Within it, he referenced appliance modifications as part of a ‘broader mission’. He set out a series of measures aimed at improving the separation of gas and electricity prices, driven by the energy crisis stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. He maintains the proposals are designed to benefit consumers and hasten the transition towards clean, domestically produced energy.

He said: “As the world faces the second fossil fuel shock in less than five years, the lesson for Britain is that exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets cannot give us the energy security we need. For Britain and many other countries, clean energy is the only route to financial security, energy security and national security.

“That is why today the government is setting out how, in response to this crisis, we will double down on our mission for clean energy.” He continued: “This package of measures represents a significant acceleration of our mission to take back control of Britain’s energy, so that we can protect the British people from this and future fossil fuel shocks and bring down bills for good.”

Opposition politicians and critics have denounced the measures as a form of “Soviet control” and “crazy”. Some have also pointed out that heat-pump dryers carry a higher upfront cost and require longer drying times than conventional models.

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho launched a scathing attack on the proposals, telling the Telegraph: “Why not let consumers choose whether or not that works for them? This is the problem with our net zero legislation – it means Ed Miliband dictating what car people drive, how they should heat their homes and even what machine they can tumble their pyjamas in.

“This is Soviet levels of control. That’s why we would repeal net zero legislation and focus on cheaper energy. The Conservatives’ plan is better for the environment and for people’s pockets.”

Richard Tice, Reform UK’s business, trade and energy secretary, said: “At a time when families are struggling with household costs, Labour is choosing to focus on tone-deaf green ideologies rather than listening to what the public wants. Reform UK will scrap the failing and disastrous net zero agenda and focus on bringing energy bills down.”