New energy technology provides solution

Two National Trust sites from either ends of the country have been able to cut back their carbon use by installing new energy saving technology with help from the National Trust’s Green Energy Fund in partnership with npower.

Bowe Barn is the main office and workshops for Borrowdale valley, which forms the site of the National Trust’s first ever acquisition in the Lake District, in 1902. Covering some
11,000 ha, Borrowdale has up to 25 staff using the buildings as offices, workshops and a rest area for the foresters.

As part of NT’s Green Energy Fund, a 75kw Heizomatt woodchip boiler has been installed and for the first time since its construction in 2003, Bowe Barn is now receiving adequate heating with minimal CO2 output or staff effort. It is also now possible to calculate actual energy output figures via the system and thus actual energy cost saved, as well as the financial savings for the property.

There are also plans for the NT to install wood pellet systems in various tenanted properties within this region of the Lake District.

About 350 miles south on the Isle of Wight, two 19th century houses owned by NT have moved in to the 21st century after also being installed with modern energy - saving technology through the Trust’s Green Energy Fund, supported by npower.

‘Marconi’ – which was converted from a barn in the 1970s - has had solar thermal panels installed on an east facing roof to provide hot water for the household, as well as energy efficiency measures carried out to improve the property as a whole.

And at Mottistone Farm Cottage, a former farm worker’s cottage, an existing oil fired Rayburn has been replaced with a wood burning stove providing hot water and heating and is more efficient whilst reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Photo shows Mottistone Manor a National Trust property

More information: www.nationaltrust.org.uk