Fuelling the country

Country living is becoming more and more popular – in 2005 105,000 people moved to the English countryside from towns and cities.¹ Many of these homes are out of the reaches of major networks, with around 1.7 million rural homes in Britain being off mains gas.

Over 20,000 people take on self-build projects each year², with a large proportion being in rural or isolated areas. Self builders are continually coming under pressure to build energy efficient homes – with the aim of reducing energy costs and the amount of carbon they are emitting, thus combating climate change.

For developers and self-builders, there are a number of options available for off mains gas projects. This guide aims to cut through the jargon and help you change the way you use energy for good – reducing emissions and making a real difference to your home’s efficiency. We would like to help you understand what legislation you need to be aware of, and what heating options are available to you when building in rural off mains gas areas.