Ed Miliband imposes new net zero restrictions on underfloor heating and towel rails

Heated towel rails that use too much power create an “avoidable cost to society” and should be banned from sale, Labour has said.

Underfloor heating systems and storage heaters that are classed as inefficient will also be removed from sale, in a bid to cut energy waste and carbon emissions.

The rules, which also cover gas space heaters, are part of the drive to Net Zero and are aimed at ensuring only the most efficient systems are available.

They will bring Britain more in line with EU regulations.

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No one will be forced to remove existing systems according to Labour, and the rules will only apply to new models.

The changes will save households money through reduced costs, it adds.

From next year, new models of heated towel rails, underfloor heating and storage heaters will have to meet improved energy efficiency requirements.

Under the rules, new heaters will also need temperature controls.

A consultation document for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) says that the measures will “improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions, reflecting advances in product design and heating controls”.

It states: “The argument for government intervention is that the market is not moving quickly enough towards more efficient local space heaters to enable the potential benefits to be realised.

“The price of less energy efficient local space heaters does not reflect the negative externalities associated with energy use.

“The excess energy used creates an avoidable cost to society in the form of excess power consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

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“Government intervention can help overcome this by ensuring that only more energy-efficient products are available.”

The document estimates that, of models currently on the market, almost half of electric underfloor heating models and just over half of electric towel rails will be banned.

In all, around a third of all current space heating systems will be affected.

DESNZ says that the improved standards are for new sales only so will not affect existing systems.

No one will have to “rip out” their underfloor heating or towel rails, it stresses.

It says the changes will help ensure the best and most efficient models hit the British market, and estimates that the new rules will save households £8 each year for each heater.

The measures are due to come into effect next year.

In April, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband introduced similar moves in relation to new tumble dryers, aimed at pushing consumers to switch to more efficient heat pump models.

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho told the Telegraph that “our lives are being dictated by Net Zero legislation.

“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.”

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform, claimed: “Labour is choosing to focus on tone-deaf green ideology rather than bringing down household costs.”

A DESNZ spokesperson said: “Our reforms will save households money by improving the energy efficiency of underfloor heating, towel rails and storage heaters.”

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