New low-carbon solution to heating a 17th century house

Low-carbon heating solution arrives at Uppark

A new low-carbon solution to heating a 17th century house, in West Sussex, was fired up this week.

The biomass boiler was installed at National Trust property Uppark House and Garden earlier this month thanks to funding from npower through the National Trust Green Energy Fund and with support from the Big Lottery Fund’s Bio-Energy Capital Grants Scheme.

The boiler will be used to heat the house, restaurant, shop and offices, and is one of many steps the charity is taking to reduce its contribution towards climate change.

Figures announced earlier this year by the government and the UK Climate Impacts Programme revealed that the UK is currently on an emissions course that could result in a 2.5˚C - 4.2˚C rise in mean summer temperatures, with a staggering 40% decrease in levels of summer rainfall predicted for southern areas by 2080.

These anticipated changes represent a massive challenge to all sectors of society, business and industry and have a huge impact on the work of the National Trust.

The biomass boiler at Uppark has replaced an oil-fired one, which will significantly reduce the property’s carbon emissions.

Property Manager Julia Barker explained: “It runs by burning wood chip from early forestry thinnings and coppiced woodland, a process which is 95% carbon neutral. This means that most of the carbon dioxide released when the wood is burned is absorbed by the growing woodland and coppice.”

The woodchip being used comes from the nearby West Dean estate, which itself has had a biomass boiler for 27 years. Using locally sourced wood helps reduce Uppark’s carbon footprint even further, and there are many conservation benefits for the estate.

West Dean’s Estate Manager Simon Ward said: “As a large forestry estate it is essential to find viable solutions for thinnings and coppice. This in turn improves the quality of woodland management, habitat diversity and helps sustain the rural economy and employment. Only around 70% of the annual incremental growth of the woodlands is harvested each year, so the operation is entirely sustainable”

Julia concluded: “I’m delighted that we have benefited from the National Trust Green Energy Fund and Bio-Energy Scheme. Thanks to npower and the Big Lottery Fund, the project is helping us show that historic properties and new, renewable energy really do work together. So, if we can manage it, everyone should be able to do something, how ever small, to help minimise the extent of climate change.”

Over 20 National Trust properties, ranging from historic mansions to outdoor visitor centres, have benefited from the National Trust Green Energy Fund in partnership with npower. The partnership has helped put in place a range of renewable energy technologies across Trust locations, including solar water heating systems, biomass wood chip boilers and air and group source heat pumps.

Allan Robinson, Head of Energy Services Products at npower commented: “A biomass boiler is an ideal way for Uppark House to reduce its carbon emissions. The diversity of energy saving initiatives and renewable devices that are being deployed across National Trust properties is testament to the fact that any property and any business can take steps to reduce their carbon emissions. We’re proud to be providing expert advice and funding to support this important initiative”

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