SSE has completed the first phase of a £1.5m project to revamp Essex homes, making them more energy efficient.
Around 300 council houses in Harlow have had external wall insulation installed to help keep the heat in and reduce energy use.
SSE worked in partnership with Harlow Council and contractor Rateavon to upgrade the homes which were built between 1950 and 1970 and had little insulation.
The project is being delivered under ECO, the energy efficiency scheme which sees energy suppliers installing efficiency measures for vulnerable customers and those in draughty homes.
Andy Calder, Project Manager for SSE, said residents have already started seeing the benefits.
He said: “The improvements are not just giving these homes a new look but also providing much improved wall insulation that will keep them warmer for longer and reduce residents' energy bills.
“SSE is working with householders to monitor their fuel bills and gauge the impact of the improvements. Even at this early stage tenants have reported they’ve been using less heating to keep warm, which is proof of the immediate benefit insulation can make to homes and bills.”
Councillor Rod Truan, Deputy Leader of Harlow Council and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “The warm and modern homes programme has been successfully completed and we have been receiving very positive feedback from tenants as the cold weather has come in.
“This is all part of our wider programme to modernise council homes and change people’s lives. The council homes selected for this programme were some of the coldest in the town. The work will help keep energy bills down which will make a big difference to tenants living in these homes.”
Another 75 homes will be refurbished by the end of March, improving the efficiency and look of the area too.
SSE will install around 100,000 energy efficiency measures through ECO across Great Britain by the end of March 2014.