Labour believes the “excess energy” used by certain older products “creates an avoidable cost to society” in the form of greenhouse gas emissions – a problem it says can be overcome with “government intervention”.
It follows a similar sales ban on traditional tumble dryers that will push consumers to more costly heat pump alternatives that take longer to dry clothes.
Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said the rule changes were tantamount to “Soviet-level intrusion”, saying “our lives are being dictated by net zero legislation”.
She added: “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, the deputy leader of Reform UK, accused the Energy Secretary of making households “cold and miserable” to meet climate goals.
He said: “Mad Miliband’s latest net zero push to restrict underfloor heating and electric towel rails is utter madness. Even the Romans had underfloor heating.
“This Orwellian move could mean families in the 21st century having to limit the time they spend keeping their homes warm or drying their clothes.
“Labour is choosing to focus on tone-deaf green ideology rather than bringing down household costs.”