Heat pumps in rural homes
Figures updated 15 November 2026
About 4.3 million homes in England and Wales aren't on the gas grid (15.6% in England, 19.5% in Wales), and 866 thousand heat with oil only. DESNZ, Census 2021
Cold weather
In the government's heat pump trial, the median air source heat pump still delivered 2.27 units of heat for each unit of electricity on each home's coldest day. At −5°C the figure was 2.3; at 10°C it was 3.37. Electrification of Heat final report
Heat pumps in the trial were far more efficient at low radiator flow temperatures: median COP 3.50 at 35°C, 2.38 at 55°C and 2.02 above 65°C. Source
Your electricity supply
If the home's new maximum demand is 60 amps or less, the installer can fit the heat pump and tell the network operator afterwards. Above that, they apply first. MCS
Since April 2023 households don't pay for wider upgrades to the local network when they add a heat pump, with limited exceptions. Ofgem Network operators don't charge for standard "unlooping" of a shared supply. DESNZ study
Planning and noise
In England an air source heat pump no longer needs to be a metre from the boundary to avoid planning permission, and a detached house can have two. England rules Wales removed its 3-metre rule in 2026 and allows two on a detached house too. Wales rules
In both, the heat pump must pass the MCS noise calculation: no more than 37 dB(A) a metre outside a neighbour's window or door. MCS 020(a) Listed buildings, pitched roofs and some road-facing walls still need permission. Source