The UK government is planning new energy-efficiency rules that would ban or restrict devices such as underfloor heating, towel rails, and gas fires. According to The Telegraph, the proposals would outlaw around half of current underfloor heating and towel rail systems, as well as between 17% and 27% of gas heaters.
The regulations would require space heating systems to have heating and timing controls, limiting operation to a set number of hours and conditions where they are efficient. Towel rails, for example, would only be allowed to run for six hours a day, while fires and electric storage heaters must include temperature controls and power-saving modes.
The move follows a similar ban on inefficient tumble dryers, set to take effect from January 19, 2027. From that date, the sale of new air-vented, condenser, and gas-fired tumble dryers will be prohibited in Great Britain, leaving only highly efficient heat pump dryers on the market.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho criticised the plans, saying, “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.”
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman defended the reforms, stating, “Our reforms will save households money by improving the energy efficiency of underfloor heating, towel rails and storage heaters.” The government emphasised that the ban applies only to new sales and does not affect existing systems.
