ED Miliband is to ban traditional tumble dryers in net zero drive branded “utter madness’” and “soviet levels of control”.
The Energy Secretary is introducing new laws that will phase out the sale of condenser tumble dryers and replace them and promote heat pump alternatives instead.
The Department of Energy and Net Zero said the efficient tumble dryers will help save households up to £910 over their machine’s 20-year lifetime.
Heatpump dryers used a close loop system that recycles warm air and runs at a lower temperature than traditional dryers.
They can take longer to dry your clothes, but are cheaper to run than gas-fired or air-vented models.
The new restrictions will work by introducing a “minimum performance standard” that phases out traditional condenser models.
Dryers’ energy efficiency levels will be rated on a scale from A to G.
Only those with higher efficiency ratings would remain on the market.
The move has sparked fury from opposing parties, with Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, branding it as “soviet levels of control,” the Telegraph has reported.
Meanwhile, Richard Tice, Reform UK’s business, trade and energy secretary, told the outlet it was “tone deaf”.
“This new ludicrous move will not only push bills even higher in the short term, but it will also take longer to dry clothes and come with a huge fire risk.
“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 want,” he added.
People that already own condenser tumble dryers can keep running their machines as normal.
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.
“Nobody will be forced to rip out their tumble dryer.”
