Off-Gas Cornwall: Your Heating Options Without Mains Gas

How Many Cornwall Homes Are Off the Gas Grid?

Cornwall has one of the highest rates of off-gas-grid homes in England. In North Cornwall constituency, 53.4% of homes have no mains gas connection. Across the county as a whole, a significant proportion — typically 30–40% depending on the area — rely on oil, LPG, or electric heating.

This is particularly true in rural areas and coastal villages. Many of the most beautiful communities in our service area — Fowey, Mevagissey, Charlestown, Polruan, Padstow, and the clay country villages — are entirely or predominantly off the gas grid. If you live in one of these communities, your heating options are different from the majority of UK homes, and this guide covers them all.

Oil Heating: Costs and Alternatives

Oil central heating is the most common alternative fuel in rural Cornwall. Oil boilers are similar to gas boilers in how they work, but instead of burning gas from the mains, they burn heating oil (kerosene) stored in a tank on your property.

The problem with oil is price volatility. Since 2021, domestic heating oil prices have swung from 35p/litre to 95p/litre and back. In 2022 and 2023, many Cornwall homeowners faced heating bills 50–100% higher than in previous years. Unlike gas — where the energy price cap provides some protection — oil prices are set by the global market with no consumer protection whatsoever.

A new oil boiler costs £3,000–£6,000 installed and lasts 15–20 years, but leaves you exposed to ongoing oil price volatility for that entire period. Contrast this with a heat pump using electricity from a fixed-price tariff (or better still, from your own solar panels).

LPG: An Expensive Stop-Gap

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is piped from a tank to a conventional boiler and works very similarly to mains gas. LPG is available in areas without mains gas and provides a more convenient fuel experience than oil — no tank deliveries, automatic pressure monitoring, and a familiar boiler.

The problem is cost: LPG is typically 40–60% more expensive per kWh than mains gas, and like oil, its price is determined by global commodity markets. An LPG-heated home typically spends £2,000–£3,000 per year on heating in a medium-sized property.

LPG is best viewed as a transitional fuel rather than a long-term solution. The economics of switching to a heat pump — particularly with the £7,500 BUS grant covering the upfront cost — are usually compelling for LPG households.

Electric Storage Heating: The Worst Option

Electric storage heaters — common in older properties and some social housing estates in Cornwall — use off-peak electricity to heat ceramic bricks overnight, then release that heat during the day. They are expensive to run (even on off-peak tariffs), poorly controllable, and often leave homes cold in the afternoon and evening when heat demand is highest.

Switching from storage heaters to a heat pump is one of the most impactful energy upgrades available for Cornwall homeowners. A heat pump uses electricity approximately 3–4 times more efficiently than a direct electric heater, delivering 3–4kWh of heat for every 1kWh of electricity consumed.

Heat Pumps: The Best Long-Term Solution

For off-gas Cornwall homes, an air source heat pump is increasingly the most financially attractive heating option:

• Running costs: Typically £500–£900 per year for a medium-sized home — cheaper than oil or LPG at current prices
• Price stability: Electricity prices, while higher than gas, are more stable and increasingly influenced by low-cost renewable generation
• Solar synergy: Combine with solar panels and run the heat pump during daylight hours on free solar electricity, reducing annual heating costs further
• Grant support: The £7,500 BUS grant is specifically designed for off-grid oil and LPG to heat pump switches
• No fuel deliveries: No oil tankers on narrow Cornish lanes, no empty tank emergencies

An air source heat pump is the most practical and cost-effective renewable heating option for the vast majority of Cornwall homes, with excellent performance in the county's mild Atlantic climate.

Grants and Funding for Off-Gas Homes

Off-gas Cornwall homeowners have access to multiple funding sources:

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): £7,500 towards a heat pump when replacing oil or LPG. We apply on your behalf. Full guide here.
• 0% VAT on solar panels and battery storage: No VAT on residential solar PV and battery storage systems.
• HEAT Cornwall: Free renewable energy measures for households earning under £30,000 per year. Covers heat pumps, solar, and insulation.
• ECO4: Government-funded scheme delivering heating upgrades to low-income households. Eligibility based on income and EPC rating.
• 0% Finance: We offer 0% interest finance over 24–60 months for qualifying customers, making the upfront cost manageable.

See our full grants and funding guide for current eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Getting Started

We serve off-gas Cornwall homeowners across our entire service area. Key off-gas towns and villages include Fowey, Lostwithiel, Mevagissey, Padstow, Charlestown, Wadebridge, and all the clay country villages.

Every project starts with a free home survey where we assess your property, calculate heat loss, advise on the best heating solution, and handle all grant applications. Book your free survey to get started.