Boroughs

Stockport and Trafford

The two southern boroughs have the most owner-occupiers in Greater Manchester and the highest heat pump grant rates. Their homes are mostly semis on mains gas, with more detached houses than anywhere else in the city region.

The ten boroughs of Greater Manchester · checked 3 November 2026

MeasureStockportTraffordEngland and Wales
Households126,64996,26724,783,199
Mains gas only82.1%81.9%73.8%
Electric only6.8%7.9%8.5%
No gas meter (2024)7.88%10.02%-
Semi-detached41.2%43.8%31.5%
Terraced20.9%20.8%23.2%
All flats16.2%20.2%21.7%
Owner-occupied71.1%69.0%61.6%
Heat pumps paid (BUS)30026596,185
Per 1,000 households2.42.83.9
Listed-building records404266-
ONS Census 2021; DESNZ off-gas estimates (2024) and BUS statistics (to September 2026); planning.data.gov.uk.

The highest grant rates in the city region

Trafford has had 265 heat pumps paid for by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, about 2.8 per 1,000 households, and Stockport 300, about 2.4. The next highest, Bury, is at about 1.9, and both are still below the England and Wales rate of about 3.9. The statistics give no reasons, but the pattern fits the housing: these are the boroughs with the most owner-occupiers, 71.1% in Stockport and 69.0% in Trafford, and the scheme is built for owners.

Heat pumps paid for per 1,000 households
  • Trafford 2.8
  • Stockport 2.4
  • Bury 1.9
  • Manchester 1.7
  • Rochdale 1.6
  • Bolton 1.5
  • Salford 1.4
  • Wigan 1.4
  • Oldham 1.3
  • Tameside 1.2

England and Wales: 3.9

DESNZ Boiler Upgrade Scheme statistics to September 2026; ONS Census 2021.

Semis and detached houses

Semi-detached houses are the largest group in both boroughs, 41.2% of Stockport's households and 43.8% of Trafford's. Stockport also has the most detached houses of the ten, 21.6%. A semi can have one outdoor unit under Class G, usually at the side or rear; a detached house can have two, which helps a larger house that needs more heat than one unit can give. Either way, the MCS 020 a) sound calculation to the nearest neighbouring window sets the final position.

Trafford's off-gas homes

Trafford's off-gas share, 10.02%, is the third highest of the ten, after Salford and Manchester. Its electric-only share was 7.9% in 2021, and it has more flats than Stockport (20.2% of households). Electric-heated homes have the most to gain on running costs from a heat pump, though a home with storage heaters may need radiators fitting.

Running costs on gas

Most homes in both boroughs are on gas, so a heat pump competes with a modern gas boiler. The running cost then depends on design: radiators sized for a low flow temperature, a hot water cylinder and controls set for steady heating. Ask the installer for a heat-loss survey and a running-cost estimate based on your own gas bills.

The Warm Homes: Local Grant here

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority delivers the area-based scheme in both boroughs, in selected areas only. For owners outside those areas, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's £7,500 is the route.

Listed buildings

Stockport has 404 listed-building records and Trafford 266. A heat pump at a listed house always needs planning permission; see listed buildings.

What Greater Manchester households ask

Why have more heat pumps been funded here?

The statistics give no reasons, but these are the two boroughs with the most owner-occupiers, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is for owners.

Can a detached house in Stockport have two units?

Yes, under Class G, each up to 1.5 cubic metres, if both pass the sound calculation and the position rules.

Who delivers the Warm Homes: Local Grant here?

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, in both boroughs, in selected areas.

Sources

  1. ONS Census 2021, TS044, TS046, TS054
  2. DESNZ, off-gas estimates
  3. DESNZ, Boiler Upgrade Scheme statistics
  4. Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Warm Homes: Local Grant
  5. planning.data.gov.uk, listed buildings

Read on 3 November 2026. If a source now says something different, the source is right.

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