The UK’s product safety regulator has ordered 17,000 heat pump tumble dryer owners to stop using their appliances immediately following a serious fire risk.
Heat pump tumble dryers have become a popular energy-efficient choice in modern homes and renovations.
However, this recall underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring appliance safety while meeting energy efficiency goals, especially as electrical fires continue to rise across the UK.
Which brands are affected
The warning applies to dryers sold under the Haier, Candy, Baumatic, Caple, Hoover, Iberna, Lamona, and Montpellier brands.
These appliances were part of a corrective action programme earlier this year, but OPSS investigations found that the modification did not adequately remove the fire risk.
Owners are urged to check their model numbers against the OPSS’s published list to confirm if they are affected.
Retailer and manufacturer response
Under the 'Requirement to Warn' order, Haier must directly inform all affected customers that their appliance should not be used.
Retailers who sold the products are not required to take action under the current recall framework, though some may provide guidance or direct customers to the manufacturer’s support channels.
Regulatory review underway
The OPSS says it is reviewing its processes following the discovery that an approved fix failed to address the safety hazard.
The regulator has not yet confirmed whether new rules will be introduced to ensure that safety modifications are independently verified before being rolled out to consumers.
In the meantime, owners of affected dryers are advised to switch them off, unplug them from the mains, and contact the manufacturer for further instructions.
The bigger picture of appliance safety
This recall is part of a wider scrutiny of domestic appliances and fire safety, coming after a string of incidents involving faulty electrical goods, such as electric underfloor heating and heat pumps.
Fire services warn that heat pump tumble dryers, while energy-efficient, can pose risks if not properly maintained or if faulty components go unaddressed.
The government has faced pressure to tighten consumer product safety regulations since high-profile appliance fires have caused property damage and injury in recent years.
This latest warning underscores ongoing challenges in balancing energy efficiency, cost, and safety in household appliances.
