The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors are home to thousands of farmhouses, barn conversions and stone cottages, many in national parks where planning rules are tighter.
How homes in North Yorkshire are heated
| Central heating | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|
| Mains gas only | 63.7% | 74% |
| Oil only | 11.9% | 3.2% |
| Tank or bottled gas (LPG) only | 2.4% | 1% |
| Electric only | 6.4% | 8.7% |
| Wood only | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Solid fuel only | 0.8% | 0.2% |
| Renewable energy only | 1.1% | 0.4% |
| Two or more types (not renewable) | 10.5% | 8.5% |
| Two or more types (including renewable) | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| No central heating | 1.3% | 1.5% |
Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS046.
- Only 63.7% 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: 11.9% of homes used oil alone, 3.7 times the England figure. Tank checks and boiler servicing matter here.
- LPG: 2.4% used tank or bottled gas alone, against 1% nationally. See LPG.
- Wood and solid fuel: 1.4% relied on wood or solid fuel alone for central heating, so chimney sweeping is a regular job for many homes.
- Renewables: 1.1% already used renewable heating alone, above the 0.4% average.
36.3% of households in North Yorkshire used something other than mains gas alone (ONS Census 2021).
Local rules and things to know in North Yorkshire
In the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the National Park Authority is the local planning authority, not the council (Yorkshire Dales NPA). Check who decides applications for your address before you plan an extension, a new outbuilding or solar panels.
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 North Yorkshire
Heating oil boilers and tanks
Boiler servicing and replacement, oil tank installation and bunding.
Heat pumps
Air and ground source heat pumps, with grant-eligible MCS installers.
Damp and old stone buildings
Lime pointing and render, drainage fixes and damp surveys for old homes.
Septic tanks and treatment plants
Emptying, repairs, replacement and new treatment plants for off-mains drainage.
Fencing and gates
Stock, post-and-rail and deer fencing, field gates and entrance gates.
Chimney sweeping
Sweeping, CCTV flue inspections, bird guards and cowls.
Rules and grants that apply in North Yorkshire
- 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: North Yorkshire Council.
We'll look for suppliers who cover North Yorkshire, including:
- Northallerton
- Thirsk
- Ripon
- Richmond
- Skipton
- Settle
- Malton
- Pickering
- Helmsley
- Hawes
- Whitby
- Leyburn
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 · Lincolnshire · Norfolk · Devon · Cornwall · Shropshire · Herefordshire · All of England
Frequently asked questions
How are most homes in North Yorkshire heated?
In the 2021 census, 63.7% of households in North Yorkshire used mains gas alone, 11.9% used oil alone and 6.4% used electricity alone.
Can I get a heat pump grant in North Yorkshire?
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 North Yorkshire?
Yes. Enter your postcode and we'll look for up to 3 local suppliers who cover your property, including outlying villages and farms.