UK to Phase Out Inefficient Tumble Dryers by 2026

The UK government plans to phase out the sale of inefficient traditional tumble dryers, including vented, condenser, and gas-fired models, in favor of more energy-efficient heat pump alternatives to reduce carbon emissions and meet net zero targets.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced the policy through a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) document titled "Raising standards for household tumble dryers," published recently. The regulations, set to take effect via a statutory instrument known as the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Household Tumble Dryers) Regulations 2026, will require new tumble dryers sold in Great Britain to have an Energy Efficiency Index below 85. This threshold effectively excludes most traditional models, which rely on high-energy heating elements operating at 70 to 75 degrees Celsius. Heat pump dryers, which recycle warm air at around 50 degrees Celsius, will remain available.

The policy does not affect ownership or use of existing dryers. DESNZ estimates that switching to efficient models could save households up to 910 pounds over a machine's 20-year lifetime through lower energy use. A department...