Cornwall's mild, wet and windy climate is hard on roofs and walls, and its scattered settlements mean many homes rely on oil, electric heating or LPG.
How homes in Cornwall are heated
| Central heating | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|
| Mains gas only | 46.7% | 74% |
| Oil only | 13.8% | 3.2% |
| Tank or bottled gas (LPG) only | 4.3% | 1% |
| Electric only | 15.2% | 8.7% |
| Wood only | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| Solid fuel only | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Renewable energy only | 2% | 0.4% |
| Two or more types (not renewable) | 11.4% | 8.5% |
| Two or more types (including renewable) | 1.3% | 0.5% |
| No central heating | 3.5% | 1.5% |
Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS046.
- Only 46.7% of households used mains gas alone, against 74% across England. Many of the rest rely on oil, LPG, electricity or solid fuel, which is where heat pumps and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme come in.
- Oil: 13.8% of homes used oil alone, 4.3 times the England figure. Tank checks and boiler servicing matter here.
- LPG: 4.3% used tank or bottled gas alone, against 1% nationally. See LPG.
- Wood and solid fuel: 1.2% relied on wood or solid fuel alone for central heating, so chimney sweeping is a regular job for many homes.
- Electric heating: 15.2% used electric heating alone, more than the 8.7% average.
- Renewables: 2% already used renewable heating alone, above the 0.4% average.
53.3% of households in Cornwall used something other than mains gas alone (ONS Census 2021).
Local rules and things to know in Cornwall
The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 (UNESCO). In a World Heritage Site, solar panels can't go on a wall, balcony or roof enclosure that fronts a highway under permitted development. Stand-alone solar also can't go nearer a road than the house, or within 5 m of the boundary (GPDO Part 14).
In England, national parks, the Broads, National Landscapes (AONBs), conservation areas and World Heritage Sites count as "article 2(3) land". There, solar panels on a flat roof need a prior approval application to the planning authority before work starts, and so does stand-alone solar within 5 m of the garden boundary (GPDO Part 14). Check with Cornwall Council before you commit to solar panels.
Common services in Cornwall
Heat pumps
Air and ground source heat pumps, with grant-eligible MCS installers.
Heating oil boilers and tanks
Boiler servicing and replacement, oil tank installation and bunding.
LPG tanks and boilers
LPG boilers, bulk tanks, bottled gas and appliance servicing.
Solar panels and batteries
Roof and ground-mounted solar PV, home batteries and export tariffs.
Roofing, gutters and repairs
Slate, tile and thatch repairs, gutters, flashings and chimneys.
Septic tanks and treatment plants
Emptying, repairs, replacement and new treatment plants for off-mains drainage.
Rules and grants that apply in Cornwall
- Septic tanks and treatment plants: small discharges that meet the Environment Agency's general binding rules don't need a permit (GOV.UK: discharges to ground; discharges to surface water). See our septic tank page.
- Oil tanks: the oil storage rules on GOV.UK cover home tanks, including when a bund is needed and the label a tank must carry (GOV.UK).
- Private water supplies: regulated by your local authority, with the Drinking Water Inspectorate overseeing them (DWI). In 2024 there were 34,859 private supplies in England, serving around 849,800 people (DWI).
- Heat pump and biomass grants: the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open in England and Wales (GOV.UK).
- Planning: many small jobs, from fences to solar panels, are permitted development under the General Permitted Development Order, within limits (GPDO Part 2; Part 14).
Councils and towns covered
Local authorities: Cornwall Council.
We'll look for suppliers who cover Cornwall, including:
- Truro
- Bodmin
- Launceston
- Liskeard
- Wadebridge
- Helston
- Penzance
- St Austell
- Camborne
- Bude
- Callington
- St Ives
The list isn't complete. Enter your postcode in the form and we'll look for suppliers who cover your property.
Other areas in England
Cumbria · Northumberland · North Yorkshire · Lincolnshire · Norfolk · Devon · Shropshire · Herefordshire · All of England
Frequently asked questions
How are most homes in Cornwall heated?
In the 2021 census, 46.7% of households in Cornwall used mains gas alone, 13.8% used oil alone and 15.2% used electricity alone.
Can I get a heat pump grant in Cornwall?
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump in England and Wales, and until March 2027 homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection may get an additional £1,500.
Do you cover all of Cornwall?
Yes. Enter your postcode and we'll look for up to 3 local suppliers who cover your property, including outlying villages and farms.