Biomass

Woodlands have been keeping us warm for millennia, and it's no different today. Over the years we've learned to use wood more efficiently, replenishing trees and protecting beauty of the natural world. Biomass boilers and our rangers' careful approach to managing woodlands help us do this.

Listen to our podcast on how biomass is transforming energy use at the places we care for, and discover how you can make your own energy use more sustainable.

We aim to produce 50 per cent of the energy we use from renewable sources by 2021, and biomass is helping us to achieve this. We run 99 biomass systems, which together generate 16,574,825 kilowatt hours (kWh) every year. And we'll be installing more biomass projects at the places we care for during the next five years. This means we'll be able to put more money towards vital conservation work to protect the countryside you love.

Listen to our podcast on biomass

The podcast was made possible thanks to the support of BMW i, the brand behind the all-electric BMW i3. As our partner, BMW i is not only allowing us to expand our network of electric vehicle charging points it is also helping us achieve our renewable energy ambitions by investing in groundbreaking projects at National Trust places.

Woods that keep us warm

Learn how we use biomass boilers and wood chip from sustainable woodland to keep warm. In this episode, we visit Sheringham Park to find out how the team harvest 200 tonnes of timber to heat the site's workshops, offices, visitor centre, toilets, and even a holiday cottage. We investigate whether this could be the answer for Dyrham Park, which needs to produce enough energy to preserve some of our oldest and most valued collections.

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Episode 4: Biomass

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Biomass at the places we care for

Late afternoon autumn light through the trees at Croft Ambrey, Herefordshire

Keeping warm at Croft Castle

Once at the forefront of politics and power, Croft Castle in Herefordshire is now flying the flag for green energy. Rangers carefully manage the surrounding woodland to create a sustainable supply of wood chip to feed the on-site biomass boiler. This, in turn, heats most of the buildings on the estate, including the farm and the mansion.

Removing the old boiler at Barrington Court

Biomass at Barrington

Barrington Court has cut its oil usage by 34,000 litres a year after replacing its two traditional boilers with a biomass boiler. The project, which took eight weeks to complete, will also result in annual savings of almost £10,000.

Dunham Massey works towards a green future

This historic deer park is embracing a future fuelled by green energy. The team at Dunham Massey has set up a biomass boiler to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Replacing electric and oil-powered heaters, a biomass boiler now heats the house, visitor centre, restaurant and all of the cottages on site, saving over £33,000 in heating costs every year.

Biomass at Killerton

The Killerton Estate has celebrated change throughout its history, and it has also taken a bold and new approach to its energy use. It has replaced its three oil-fired boilers with biomass boilers, which it now uses to heat the house and its water. This move has certainly paid off with the estate reducing its oil consumption by 24,000 litres a year.

Doing your bit

The Biomass boiler at Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire

Compost bin made from wooden slats and full of vegetables

A wooden slatted compost bin with compost sign

Heating your own home

You can use a small biomass boiler or stove to heat your home. Most boilers burn wood chip and food compost. Even if you can't burn your own compost it’s worth contacting your local garden centre in case they want to use it.

Plant-based diet

Adopting a plant-based diet will not only reduce your carbon footprint it will also create a bigger compost heap for you to use in your boiler.

Reduce your waste

Remember that around 20% to 30% of what we throw away can be composted. Try to rely on your biomass bin more than your general waste bin.

Change the way you think about waste

Don’t throw away perfectly good food, even it is close to its sell-by date. If it looks and smells fine, the chances are it is. Can you use or freeze food you would normally throw away?

Our work with BMW i

BMW i is committed to creating a more sustainable future and makes use of many of the renewable energy technologies that we do.

In the production of the all-electric BMW i3, traditional plastics have been replaced with kenaf, which is a natural fibre extracted from the Malva plant. Sustainably-sourced eucalyptus wood is used to make the dashboard, and the seats are covered in natural wool. Small changes like these add up to make a positive difference on the environment.

Our partnership with BMW i also means we can invest even more in renewable energy projects, and make travel to the places we care for more sustainable by expanding our network of electric vehicle charging points.