From the Shropshire Hills to the north Shropshire plain, the county is largely rural, with many farms and villages beyond the reach of mains gas.
How homes in Shropshire are heated
| Central heating | Shropshire | England |
|---|---|---|
| Mains gas only | 57.7% | 74% |
| Oil only | 15% | 3.2% |
| Tank or bottled gas (LPG) only | 3.3% | 1% |
| Electric only | 7.1% | 8.7% |
| Wood only | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| Solid fuel only | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Renewable energy only | 1.2% | 0.4% |
| Two or more types (not renewable) | 11.6% | 8.5% |
| Two or more types (including renewable) | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| No central heating | 1.4% | 1.5% |
Source: ONS Census 2021, table TS046.
- Only 57.7% 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: 15% of homes used oil alone, 4.7 times the England figure. Tank checks and boiler servicing matter here.
- LPG: 3.3% 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.
- Renewables: 1.2% already used renewable heating alone, above the 0.4% average.
42.3% of households in Shropshire used something other than mains gas alone (ONS Census 2021).
Local rules and things to know in Shropshire
The Shropshire Hills were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, now a National Landscape, in 1958. The area covers almost a quarter of Shropshire, about 802 km², from the Wrekin to the Clun Forest and from the Stiperstones to the Clee Hills (Shropshire Hills National Landscape).
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 Shropshire
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.
Biomass boilers and wood burners
Stove fitting, flue lining, biomass boilers and HETAS-registered installers.
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.
Rules and grants that apply in Shropshire
- 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: Shropshire Council.
We'll look for suppliers who cover Shropshire, including:
- Shrewsbury
- Ludlow
- Oswestry
- Bridgnorth
- Church Stretton
- Bishop's Castle
- Market Drayton
- Whitchurch
- Craven Arms
- Much Wenlock
- Clun
- Wem
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 · Cornwall · Herefordshire · All of England
Frequently asked questions
How are most homes in Shropshire heated?
In the 2021 census, 57.7% of households in Shropshire used mains gas alone, 15% used oil alone and 7.1% used electricity alone.
Can I get a heat pump grant in Shropshire?
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 Shropshire?
Yes. Enter your postcode and we'll look for up to 3 local suppliers who cover your property, including outlying villages and farms.