A GREEN new future could be coming to hundreds of homes if an environmentally-friendly pilot scheme proves a success.

South Essex Homes has installed solar panels to one of its properties in Colemans Avenue, Westcliff, to help provide hot water alongside a new energy-efficient boiler.

The company, which manages properties on behalf of Southend Council, came up with the scheme as part of its pledge to reduce carbon emissions from its households and help prevent fuel poverty among its tenants.

Team leader for capital investment, Bradley Staff, said: “The new solar-powered system is expected to produce 60 per cent of the hot water throughout the year that the residents use.

“This, along with the new energy-efficient boiler, should see significant fuel cost savings for the residents.”

Working with heating contractor TSG, and renewable energy specialist Vaillant, South Essex Homes identified the home of Stephen and Alison Warrington, as being most suitable for the solar-powered hot water trial.

Mr Warrington, 51, said: “South Essex Homes offered us the chance to be the trial for this, and we just had to give them our gas bills so they can keep a record of what we save.

“At the end of the day, if you can save some money and help the planet then it’s a good idea.”

As part of the pilot, two solar panels have been fitted to the roof of their home, with the new boiler installed in the roof space to provide back-up on those days when the sun doesn’t shine.

Mr Warrington said: “The solar panels should do everything, but if it’s a cloudy day the boiler steps in. If the sun is out, or it’s not too overcast, the UV rays can still get through and it works.”

Over the next year, the new system will be monitored to see how well it performs and how much of a gas bill saving it provides for the Warringtons.

As part of the pilot, their home has also been fitted with an electrical consumption monitor to allow the family to reduce their electric consumption as well as gas.

Dad-of-two Mr Warrington said: “It’s nice to be part of the trial, and hopefully it might save us some cash.”

If the pilot proves successful, the scheme will eventually be applied to other homes managed by South Essex Homes.

Phil Lyons, chairman of the board for South Essex Homes, said the association valued the environment and its residents, and pledged to issue updates on how the pilot progresses.

He added: “This is an exciting project and I’d like to thank Mr and Mrs Warrington, and both of our contractors, TSG and Vaillant, for assisting us with this pilot.

“All we have to do now is wait for the results, but this could be a fantastic breakthrough for our residents, and for the environment.”

Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for adult social care, health and housing, added: “This is a very significant step, which will save money for residents as well as saving energy.

“We hope this will herald the way to finding many more opportunities to use renewable energy sources in our properties.”

The association is also exploring other ways of using renewable energy, and has already installed photo voltaic panels, which turn sunlight into electricity, to three sheltered housing schemes in Southend.