Tumble dryers: how to read the new energy labels

From July 2025, new energy labels are also arriving on home tumble dryers. The parameters approved by the EU reflect improvements to energy standards in the manufacture of domestic appliances. There are two aims for introducing labels with the new energy classes: on one hand, it helps to provide consumers with complete information and on the other, it encourages companies to develop devices that are increasingly sustainable and cheap to run.
Let’s take a look at the main changes made to the new dryer labels and at what this means for household energy use.

What will the new energy label for tumble dryers be like?

From the 1st of July 2025, all dryers available on sale will have a new energy label, designed to make it quicker and easier to choose the most efficient model.
The graphics on the label will follow the style already in use for other domestic appliances on sale, with a colour scale that goes from dark green for the most efficient rating to red for the least efficient. These changes are there to help consumers to understand the energy impact of their new dryer, at a glance and without being confused by the old “+” signs that have made ratings harder to understand over time.

In fact, the “Plus” classes "Plus" (A +++, A ++ e A +) will no longer be used because the new energy efficiency scale will consist of A, for the dryer with the highest energy efficiency, through to G, reserved to older and now less efficient models. Just as has happened with other electrical appliances, which have already passed from the old rating system to the new one, with the new standards in place from July 2025, a dryer with a B rating may become a class E or even F dryer; in the same way, a class A +++ dryer will become class A. To be clear, when the new energy labels are applied, there will be no changes to the characteristics of individual models, but only to the rating system applied.

How to find the tumble dryer that is cheapest to run

From July 2025, when you decide to purchase a new dryer, you can be sure that you will find all the information you need to help you choose on the label, together with the main features of the most energy-efficient dryers.
As well as the new scale, there will be other changes to the way in which key information is presented on the new energy labels.

Energy consumption will be stated in kilowatt hours for 100 cycles, providing a clearer estimate of the costs for regular use. There will also be updated details on the average duration of drying programmes and noise levels, two important factors to consider when choosing an efficient, quiet and practical electrical appliance. Tumble dryer noise levels will be expressed in decibels, giving you an evaluation of the noise impact of the appliance in operation one metre away. This detail is even more useful if you are choosing a tumble dryer integrated into a washing machine, i.e., a modern washer-dryer.

Plenty of details and information about dryer features

The energy label for tumble dryers now also has other useful information to complete figures on annual energy consumption.
You can now find out about the condensation efficiency, which is useful for knowing the capacity to limit the moisture released that a dryer releases into the air. Tests performed to assess the drying efficiency of each appliance, assess the amount of moisture remaining at the end of every drying cycle. When the amount of moisture present is lower than 10 percent, this means the highest rating is achieved.

The load capacity stated on the new energy label will be shown separately for synthetic and cotton fabrics, providing more precise, realistic information about use.
As envisaged on new labels, every dryer indicator is accompanied by clear symbols that make it easier to understand information at first glance.

Another interesting detail is the presence of a QR code on all labels for new tumble dryers. This means you can access more detailed product information straight from an EU on-line database, where you can also download a detailed data sheet for your new energy-efficient tumble dryer.

New energy label and new regulations for spare parts

With this update, from July 2025, the label will no longer just be a means of highlighting a dryer’s energy ratings. It will now be a secure source for obtaining the detailed information needed when deciding to purchase a tumble dryer that offers top performance and low energy use from the many models on display. It is also important to note that from the 1st of July 2025, with the introduction of the new energy label, the regulations require spare parts to be available to repair all dryers on sale, including doors, condensation pumps, software, and filters for lint and air.