A GREEN experiment has been launched in a bid to improve the energy efficiency of older council houses.

To show that even old buildings can be given the green treatment, Greenwich Council will be refurbishing an 80-year-old property in Charlton.

The council has been awarded over £170,000 from the Government’s Retrofit for the Future program to test green building techniques.

Insulation and solar panels will be installed in the semi-detached house to cut heating bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Council cabinet member for Greener Greenwich Councillor Rajwant Sidhu, said: “The Retrofit project is a great opportunity to put into practice some of the latest technologies for refurbishing an older property.”

By using new ventilation techniques with lower maintenance costs, the council hopes to encourage landlords to invest in refurbishments which will save money in the future.