Heat Pumps for Cornwall's Off-Gas Villages: Lerryn, Golant, Blisland & More
Cornwall's most picturesque villages — Lerryn, Golant, Blisland, Lanivet, Polkerris, and dozens more — are almost entirely off the mains gas grid. This guide explains how the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme makes heat pumps affordable for rural Cornish homeowners.
Why Cornwall is Predominantly Off-Gas
Around 47% of Cornwall homes are off the mains gas grid — more than double the national average of 17%. This is a direct consequence of Cornwall's dispersed rural population and the economics of extending gas mains to small, isolated communities. The result is that hundreds of Cornish villages rely entirely on oil, LPG, or electric storage heaters for space heating and hot water.
For these households, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme represents a significant opportunity. The £7,500 government grant specifically targets oil and LPG boiler replacements — the exact situation faced by most of Cornwall's off-gas villages.
BUS Grant for Rural Properties
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 toward an air source heat pump installation. For a rural Cornish property currently spending £1,500–£1,800/year on oil heating, the economics are compelling:
- Annual heating cost on heat pump: £900–£1,200/year (depending on electricity rate and COP)
- Annual saving: £400–£700
- BUS grant recovery period: typically 10–18 years (on the grant alone, without other cost factors)
- With solar panels reducing electricity costs: estimated £600–£900/year total, further improving returns
Rural System Design Considerations
Rural Cornish properties often have specific heat pump design requirements:
- Insulation assessment: Older stone cottages have solid walls and varying levels of loft insulation. We assess heat loss accurately before sizing the system to avoid under- or over-specification.
- Radiator assessment: Heat pumps work at lower flow temperatures (40–50°C vs 70–80°C for boilers). Many rural homes benefit from radiator upgrades in key rooms; our older properties guide explains this in detail.
- Hot water cylinder: A heat pump-compatible cylinder is required. Most oil-heated homes already have a cylinder — we assess whether it can be retained or needs upgrading.
- External unit placement: Rural properties usually have ample garden space, making placement straightforward. Noise planning considerations apply in very quiet rural settings.
Village-by-Village Guide
Key off-gas villages in our service area, with local considerations:
- Lerryn and Golant (PL22): Riverside villages near Lostwithiel; protected AONB setting, some listed buildings. Our Lostwithiel heat pump page covers the wider area.
- Blisland, Lanivet, Cardinham (PL30/PL31): Rural Bodmin Moor parishes, predominantly oil-heated stone cottages. Bodmin heat pump page.
- Mevagissey and Gorran Haven (PL26): Fishing villages off the gas grid; conservation areas, but many inland properties straightforward. Mevagissey heat pump page.
- Grampound and Probus (TR2): Inland villages between St Austell and Truro; mixed property types, mostly oil. Grampound heat pump page.
- Polkerris and Menabilly (PL24): Small coastal communities near Par; oil-heated, excellent solar potential. Par & St Blazey solar page.
Getting a Quote for Your Village
CCS Heating & Renewables covers all of mid and east Cornwall from our Pool, Redruth base. We carry out free home surveys across all rural postcodes, handle the full BUS grant process, and install all major heat pump brands — Daikin, Mitsubishi, and Vaillant. Book your free survey or visit our areas we cover page to find your nearest local page.
Need personalised advice?
Our MCS certified engineers can answer your questions and provide a free, no-obligation assessment for your property.