The local picture
Home energy in South Hams
A large share of homes in South Hams are off the gas grid, typically heated by oil, LPG or electric heaters. These are some of the most expensive ways to heat a home — and exactly what heat pump and off-gas grants are designed to replace.
That’s about 17,934 of the 47,150 homes in South Hams — higher than the average for the South West.
An estimated 4,404 households in South Hams (10.6%) are in fuel poverty — living on a lower income in a home that’s expensive to heat. That’s in line with the South West average of 9.9%.
Sources: DESNZ, Sub-national estimates of properties not connected to the gas network, 2024 data (published December 2025); DESNZ, Sub-regional fuel poverty data 2026 (2024 data), Low Income Low Energy Efficiency measure.
What’s available
Grants you could get in South Hams
With so many homes in South Hams off mains gas, heat pump funding is often the biggest opportunity — but we’ll check every scheme you could qualify for.
Eligibility
Who can apply in South Hams?
- You own your home or rent it privately (with your landlord’s permission)
- Your heating is old, inefficient or not on mains gas — or you have no central heating
- Someone in your household receives a qualifying benefit, or your income or postcode qualifies through local criteria
- For heat pumps: you’re replacing oil, gas, LPG or electric heating (not means-tested)
Not sure? Just ask.
Rules differ between schemes, and some depend on where you live in South Hams. Apply online or call 0800 246 1797 and we’ll check your postcode.
FAQs
Grant questions in South Hams
Can I get a free boiler in South Hams?
Yes — homeowners and private tenants in South Hams can apply for government-backed funding. Eligibility usually depends on your heating system and household circumstances, such as receiving certain benefits, and in some areas your income or postcode. A quick application tells us what you could be entitled to.
How many homes in South Hams are off the gas grid?
Around 38% of homes in South Hams — roughly 17,934 properties — aren’t connected to the gas network, higher than the South West average of 24.2%. These homes can often get extra support, including up to £9,000 towards a heat pump where the Boiler Upgrade Scheme applies.
Can I get a heat pump grant in South Hams?
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump, plus an extra £1,500 until March 2027 for homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection. It isn’t means-tested.