Heat pumps in Scottish Borders for off-gas properties
Local housing types, off-gas context, insulation and radiator considerations, and network operator information for Scottish Borders.
Key facts
- •Hill farms and rural stone properties around Peebles, Hawick and Kelso are commonly off-gas.
- •SP Energy Networks covers the area — some isolated spurs may have constraints.
- •Solid stone construction means thorough heat loss calculations are essential.
- •Oil delivery access in winter on hill roads is a common problem heat pumps solve.
- •Interest-free credit up to £30,000, subject to status, is available.
Last updated: 28 October 2026.
What kind of properties in Scottish Borders need a heat pump?
The Scottish Borders has many hill farms and rural properties around Peebles, Hawick, Selkirk, Kelso, Jedburgh and Duns. Properties are predominantly solid stone construction — farmhouses, cottages and steadings — heated by oil or LPG. Town properties in the main centres may be on the gas grid, but rural areas are largely off-gas.
Why are so many Scottish Borders properties off the gas grid?
Rural Borders is heavily off-gas. Hill farms and isolated properties rely on oil or LPG deliveries, which can be difficult in winter. The rolling hills and exposed terrain mean many properties are some distance from gas network infrastructure.
Do Scottish Borders properties need insulation upgrades before a heat pump?
Borders properties are typically solid stone construction, which means cavity wall insulation is not an option. The heat loss calculation determines whether solid wall insulation, loft top-ups or other measures are needed before a heat pump is specified. This is particularly important in exposed hill locations.
Will my radiators need replacing in a Scottish Borders property?
Stone farmhouses with oil-fired heating usually have radiators sized for high flow temperatures. Heat pumps run at lower temperatures, so radiator upgrades are common. The survey identifies which radiators need replacing and this is included in the written quotation.
How do heat pumps perform in a Scottish Borders winter?
The Borders experience cold, exposed winter conditions, particularly in the hill areas. The Cheviot and Lammermuir Hills create exposed terrain where wind chill increases effective heat loss. The heat loss calculation uses local design temperatures to ensure the system is adequately sized.
Which network operator covers Scottish Borders?
SP Energy Networks covers much of the Borders. Most rural properties have adequate supply, but some isolated properties on long spurs may have constraints. We check with SP Energy Networks as part of the enquiry process.
Nearby areas we also cover
The Borders border England to the south, Dumfries and Galloway to the west, and the Lothians to the north. Properties in the western Borders share characteristics with Galloway, while eastern areas are similar to rural Angus.
Large parts of rural Aberdeenshire are off the gas grid. Oil-fired boilers and LPG tanks are the norm on farms and rural properties.
Highlands (edge towns)Beyond the gas grid in Inverness and the main towns, much of the Highlands is off-gas. Oil, LPG and electric storage heating are common in rural properties.
MorayRural Moray has significant numbers of off-gas properties, particularly farms and cottages away from the main towns. The Moray Firth coast has some gas network coverage in towns, but inland and rural properties are predominantly off-gas.
Perthshire glensThe Perthshire glens are largely off the gas grid. Properties in the straths and glens rely on oil, LPG or solid fuel.
Last updated: 28 October 2026. Reviewed by the Scottish Energy Efficiency team.
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