SOCIAL housing in the area is set to benefit from a new energy-saving programme.

Greenwich Council is testing some new green measures on council homes across the borough as part of the Government's £3.5m Retrofit for the Future trial scheme.

Innovations will include sensors which control temperature in the home and therefore cut down on excess heating costs.

Meanwhile new insulation materials will be tested in the roofs, lofts and walls of homes to help contain heat, while other homes will try out the latest efficient ventilation equipment to reduce electricity costs on air conditioning during the summer.

Council cabinet member for Greener Greenwich, Councillor Rajwant Sidhu, said, “Greenwich is committed to working on all fronts to tackle energy waste and thus to reduce carbon emissions in the borough.

"In common with other councils, we have an ageing housing stock that was built before there was such a high level of awareness about climate change and the importance of saving energy."

He added: “The measures we are piloting offer a good opportunity to try out a range of solutions and assess them in a real environment, helping us to draw lessons that can then be applied widely across the borough’s social housing – and across the country.”

Since 1998 the council has installed energy efficient double glazed windows in more than 17,000 council homes, and new efficient central heating systems and boilers in more than 14,000.

Cavity wall and loft insulation has been added to more than 10,000 houses and flats, with 30,000 energy efficient light bulbs donated to Greenwich tenants.

The council has also submitted a bid for £535,614 of Government funding towards energy-saving schemes in schools aimed at cutting carbon emissions by 1800 tonnes a year.