Two 19th century houses owned by the National Trust on the Isle of Wight, have moved in to the 21st century after receiving new heating systems under the National Trust’s Green Energy Fund in partnership with 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.

The thermal value of the property has been increased by putting in insulation and secondary glazing, and other improvements to the layout of the house have been made, ready for new tenants to move in.

At Mottistone Farm Cottage, a former farm worker’s cottage, the money has been used to replace the existing oil fired Rayburn with a wood burning stove which provides hot water and heating and is more efficient whilst reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Energy efficiency measures have also been carried out with installation of draught excluders on windows.

Tony Tutton, The National Trust’s Property Manager for the Isle of Wight, said:

“It’s great to be able to use this money from npower to help make energy saving changes to our properties here on the island, not only increasing their efficiency in terms of carbon use, but also saving money for the people living in the houses”.

National Trust sites at both ends of England 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.

These projects are just two of many renewable energy installations taking place at National Trust properties across England and Wales who have successfully applied to the Green Energy Fund. Projects vary in size and situation, but all are installing new, carbon saving technology.