Devon stretches from Dartmoor and Exmoor to two coastlines, with farms, villages and older cottages spread along narrow lanes.
How homes in Devon are heated
| Central heating | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|
| Mains gas only | 60.5% | 74% |
| Oil only | 10.1% | 3.2% |
| Tank or bottled gas (LPG) only | 2.3% | 1% |
| Electric only | 10% | 8.7% |
| Wood only | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| Solid fuel only | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Renewable energy only | 1.1% | 0.4% |
| Two or more types (not renewable) | 10.3% | 8.5% |
| Two or more types (including renewable) | 1.2% | 0.5% |
| No central heating | 2.3% | 1.5% |
Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS046, combining East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, West Devon (weighted by households).
- Only 60.5% 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: 10.1% of homes used oil alone, 3.2 times the England figure. Tank checks and boiler servicing matter here.
- LPG: 2.3% used tank or bottled gas alone, against 1% nationally. See LPG.
- Electric heating: 10% used electric heating alone, more than the 8.7% average.
- Renewables: 1.1% already used renewable heating alone, above the 0.4% average.
- Within the area, Torridge had the highest share of oil-only heating, at 19.7%.
39.5% of households in Devon used something other than mains gas alone (ONS Census 2021).
Local rules and things to know in Devon
Dartmoor National Park Authority is the planning authority for Dartmoor. It points out that permitted development rights are different in national parks. For example, solar panels on a flat roof need a prior approval application to the Authority before installation, and oil or LPG tanks for home heating are only allowed without permission up to 3,500 litres and behind the house (Dartmoor NPA).
The Tamar Valley in West Devon is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site (UNESCO). 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).
Common services in Devon
Roofing, gutters and repairs
Slate, tile and thatch repairs, gutters, flashings and chimneys.
Damp and old stone buildings
Lime pointing and render, drainage fixes and damp surveys for old homes.
Heating oil boilers and tanks
Boiler servicing and replacement, oil tank installation and bunding.
Septic tanks and treatment plants
Emptying, repairs, replacement and new treatment plants for off-mains drainage.
Heat pumps
Air and ground source heat pumps, with grant-eligible MCS installers.
Tree surgery and hedge cutting
Felling, pruning, storm damage, stump grinding and hedge cutting.
Rules and grants that apply in Devon
- 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: East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, West Devon (with Devon County Council).
We'll look for suppliers who cover Devon, including:
- Okehampton
- Tavistock
- Crediton
- Tiverton
- Honiton
- Holsworthy
- South Molton
- Great Torrington
- Totnes
- Kingsbridge
- Moretonhampstead
- Hatherleigh
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 · Cornwall · Shropshire · Herefordshire · All of England
Frequently asked questions
How are most homes in Devon heated?
In the 2021 census, 60.5% of households in Devon used mains gas alone, 10.1% used oil alone and 10% used electricity alone.
Can I get a heat pump grant in Devon?
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 Devon?
Yes. Enter your postcode and we'll look for up to 3 local suppliers who cover your property, including outlying villages and farms.