The UK Government ran a consultation in 2025 on raising product standards for tumble dryers, covering the phasing out of the least efficient types and alignment with new EU regulations1. The consultation followed the introduction of stricter tumble dryer energy labels in Northern Ireland on 1 July 2025, which came into effect to align with EU rules1.
The Northern Ireland changes replaced the old A+++/A++/A+ ratings with a rescaled A to G energy rating, and set higher minimum energy efficiency standards1. The Energy Saving Trust states that the higher standards mean some older tumble dryers can no longer be sold because they are considered too energy inefficient, and that shops are no longer able to sell new condenser dryers1. The requirements also mean manufacturers must make spare parts available for longer and improve access to information about how to repair appliances1.
The Trust reports that replacing a top-rated condenser tumble dryer with a heat pump tumble dryer can save around £85 a year on energy bills, based on around 160 cycles a year on an average Northern Ireland electricity tariff of 30.8p/kWh, with figures correct as of November 20251. It adds that heat pump tumble dryers are generally more expensive to buy but much cheaper to run1.
Great Britain remains on a different scale. Tumble dryers there currently use an A+++ to D rating1. The Trust says there is no guarantee that England, Scotland and Wales will follow Northern Ireland, and that it will look out for updates1.
| Nation | Tumble dryer energy scale | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | A to G, from 1 July 2025 | In force; higher minimum standards apply1 |
| Great Britain | A+++ to D | Consultation ran in 2025 on raising standards and aligning with EU rules1 |
"The UK Government ran a consultation about raising product standards for tumble dryers in 2025. This covered phasing out the least efficient types and aligning to the new EU regulations."
Why it matters for households
A tumble dryer's rating determines how much electricity it draws per cycle, so the label is a direct indicator of running cost. The Trust notes that the changes make it easier to compare models, and that choosing a more efficient appliance can cut energy usage and save on bills1. In Northern Ireland, the practical effect is a narrower market: new condenser dryers no longer meet the standards, so new heat pump models dominate what is on sale, while second-hand condenser dryers may still be available but are likely to be less efficient, more prone to failure given their age, and harder to cover with a warranty1.
There is a further constraint for homes without a heated space for the appliance. Most manufacturers advise against using heat pump dryers in spaces below 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, and the Trust says garages and outbuildings in Northern Ireland can fall below this regularly1. Using one in such conditions may dry clothes slowly, use more energy, cause faults or automatic shutdowns, and may invalidate warranties1.
The repair provisions matter for how long an appliance stays in service. Longer availability of spare parts and better repair information should extend the lifetime of a new tumble dryer and make repair possible rather than replacement when something goes wrong1. For a household, that shifts part of the cost of drying clothes from ongoing electricity use to the purchase price and the repairability of the machine. The rules sit within the wider framework of energy labels and ecodesign rules for household appliances and product markings and standards, with policy set by DESNZ.
What happens next
The consultation closed, but the Trust reports no guarantee that England, Scotland and Wales will follow Northern Ireland, and says it will monitor for updates1. No commencement date for equivalent Great Britain standards has been reported1.
Sources1 cited
- New tumble dryer energy labels in Northern Ireland - Energy Saving Trust, energysavingtrust.org.uk