Member Article

Modern heating developments take centre stage at National Trust property

The public is invited to find out more about the National Trust’s progress in substantially reducing carbon emissions at its properties.

The historic mansion house and gardens of Wallington Hall estate in Northumberland have seen some dramatic changes behind the scenes over the past few months. The Wallington biomass district heating scheme involves introducing the very latest in green technology to the 17th century premises, a development which supports the National Trust’s environmental commitments.

The Trust aims to substantially reduce carbon emissions at its properties by switching to more renewable energy sources and to deliver 50 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020.

On Thursday 6 July, the Wallington estate will hold an open day to allow the public to see more of this complex and ambitious project. The cutting-edge scheme has seen the installation of two 130kw wood pellet fired biomass boilers, which now provide heat and hot water to the main hall, estate cottages, offices, gift shop and café.

The open day coincides with other events to mark Community Energy Fortnight (24 June – 9 July) and the Climate Coalition’s Week of Action (1 - 9 July), under what is being called the ‘Powering Together’ initiative. The aim is to highlight and explore how the community energy sector is working together to ensure energy is efficiently used, generated renewably and any benefits produced shared locally.

The work at Wallington has been carried out by North East-based biomass specialist, re:heat which was appointed by the National Trust in December 2016 to remove the estate’s inefficient oil fired boilers and install the renewable fueled heating and hot water system. It is not the first time that re:heat has worked with the National Trust, having installed two wood pellet fired biomass boilers at Nunnington Hall, near York, in summer 2016.

Ben Tansey, re:heat director, said:

“We were delighted to be working with the National Trust again and this has been an exciting project to be involved with. Wallington is a sensitive site, steeped in history, so there were some unique challenges to overcome to provide the best possible heating solution without adversely impacting on the existing building and grounds.

“We’re pleased with what we have been able to accomplish here and the benefits that the new system will provide the National Trust long term.”

National Trust project manager, Adrian Fox, said:

“In addition to reducing impact on the environment by removing the oil powered heating systems, switching to biomass affords us a level of security in no longer responding to fluctuating oil prices and the money saved can be used in the continued conservation of the property.”

If you are interested in the open day and would like to find out more, please call re:heat on 01665 665 040 or email hello@reheat.uk.com.

re:heat was founded in 2011 by Neil Harrison and Ben Tansey to assist businesses of all sizes convert from fossil fuels to sustainable, low carbon wood fuel heating systems. The firm’s team of experts can help clients with buying a boiler, designing systems, fuel supply logistics and material handling, fault-finding and problem resolution, and specialist training. Find out more at www.reheat.uk.com.

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Photo caption: Ben Tansey.

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