Northumberland runs from the Cheviot Hills and Kielder Forest to the coast. Homes in the uplands and the Tyne valleys are often a long way from the gas network.
How homes in Northumberland are heated
| Central heating | Northumberland | England |
|---|---|---|
| Mains gas only | 70.8% | 74% |
| Oil only | 7.5% | 3.2% |
| Tank or bottled gas (LPG) only | 1.8% | 1% |
| Electric only | 4.5% | 8.7% |
| Wood only | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Solid fuel only | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| Renewable energy only | 0.7% | 0.4% |
| Two or more types (not renewable) | 10.7% | 8.5% |
| Two or more types (including renewable) | 0.7% | 0.5% |
| No central heating | 0.8% | 1.5% |
Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS046.
- Only 70.8% 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: 7.5% of homes used oil alone, 2.3 times the England figure. Tank checks and boiler servicing matter here.
- Wood and solid fuel: 1.6% relied on wood or solid fuel alone for central heating, so chimney sweeping is a regular job for many homes.
29.2% of households in Northumberland used something other than mains gas alone (ONS Census 2021).
Local rules and things to know in Northumberland
Northumberland National Park Authority is the local planning authority for the park. If you live there, planning applications and pre-application enquiries go to the Park Authority, not Northumberland County Council. The council still handles building control, highways and environmental health (Northumberland NPA).
Hadrian's Wall, part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site, runs for 118 km across the north of England (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 Northumberland
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.
Heat pumps
Air and ground source heat pumps, with grant-eligible MCS installers.
Rural and satellite broadband
Fixed wireless, 4G/5G, satellite, community fibre and installation.
Gritting and snow clearing
Contract gritting, snow ploughing and salt bin supplies.
Tree surgery and hedge cutting
Felling, pruning, storm damage, stump grinding and hedge cutting.
Rules and grants that apply in Northumberland
- 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: Northumberland County Council.
We'll look for suppliers who cover Northumberland, including:
- Hexham
- Alnwick
- Morpeth
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Rothbury
- Haltwhistle
- Wooler
- Bellingham
- Corbridge
- Amble
- Ponteland
- Allendale
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 · North Yorkshire · Lincolnshire · Norfolk · Devon · Cornwall · Shropshire · Herefordshire · All of England
Frequently asked questions
How are most homes in Northumberland heated?
In the 2021 census, 70.8% of households in Northumberland used mains gas alone, 7.5% used oil alone and 4.5% used electricity alone.
Can I get a heat pump grant in Northumberland?
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 Northumberland?
Yes. Enter your postcode and we'll look for up to 3 local suppliers who cover your property, including outlying villages and farms.