The Government is working on proposals that would ban devices like under-floor heating and towel rails under new energy-efficiency rules. The regulations, from Ed Miliband's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, would also outlaw or restrict half of gas fires and storage heaters.
Scope of the Ban
According to the Telegraph, the rules would mean more than a third of 'space heating systems' would become illegal to sell. Devices would need to have heating controls and timing controls, so they could only operate for a set number of hours and in conditions where they are efficient. The EU has already introduced similar restrictions.
Similar Tumble Dryer Ban
The change follows a similar tumble dryer ban. From January 19, 2027, the sale of new air-vented, condenser, and gas-fired tumble dryers will be banned in Great Britain. The regulations set minimum energy performance standards so high that only highly efficient heat pump tumble dryers will be permitted for sale as new.
Political Reaction
Claire Coutinho, shadow energy secretary, told The Telegraph: “Ed Miliband wants to tell you how long your towel rail can be switched on. He’s already decided how you are allowed to dry your pyjamas and now he wants to make it harder to have underfloor heating in your home.”
Impact on Current Systems
The new rules would ban around half of current under-floor heating and towel rail systems as well as between 17% and 27% of gas heaters. The Government said the ban applies to new sales only, not current systems and heaters people already have. The rules will mean towel rails will only be allowed to run for six hours a day, and fires and electric storage heaters must have temperature controls and power-saving modes.
Government Statement
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: “Our reforms will save households money by improving the energy efficiency of underfloor heating, towel rails and storage heaters.”
