A 17th century Derbyshire mansion owned by the National Trust (NT) has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 80 per cent, a year after a green energy system was installed.

In September 2008, bio-mass wood pellet boilers were installed at Sudbury Hall, near Ashbourne, as part of a wider renewable energy partnership with npower to reduce the property's carbon footprint.

Other measures to be introduced at the mansion include compact fluorescent lamps, water-saving devices in all flush systems, an experimental area of double glazing and draught exclusion in one domestic area of the hall.

Sudbury Hall's annual carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced from more than 52 tonnes to nearly 12 tonnes as a result of the scheme, which has enabled more than 20 other NT properties to benefit from the National Trust Green Energy Fund.

Funded by npower, properties that are set to benefit from the green initiative over the next 12 months, will include Nunnington Hall in Yorkshire; Uppark House in West Sussex and Tyntesfield in Bristol.

Lesley Law, Sudbury Hall property manager, said: "The installation of the bio-mass boiler couldn't have been more timely, especially with the particularly cold snap earlier this year with snow at the end of January and February."

Kevin Peake, npower marketing director, added: "Our partnership with the National Trust, and the work at Sudbury Hall, illustrates the savings that are possible."

Image: NT/A Butler