25 Melville homes with older solid fuel and electric heating systems (those fitted before 2010) will benefit from the new greener solution as part of a £600,000 investment in the South Lanarkshire community which will also deliver new kitchens in 40 properties.

The work to install the new systems, which will be carried out by Glasgow-based Ecoliving (part of the Turner Group), is expected to begin shortly and last through the spring and summer with all homes to be completed by the autumn.

“For some time now we’ve been exploring options for improving the energy efficiency of our homes in Forth,” said Melville chief executive Andrew Noble. “Not being on the gas grid has made this a challenge, however these air source heat pumps are a very good solution and should make a big difference to these 25 households.

“We will now be working closely with our tenants to make sure the installation process runs smoothly and that they get the best from the new systems as they operate differently from traditional forms of heating. We look forward to the work beginning, and with it taking place over the spring and summer, the new systems should be ready in time to make a real difference next winter.”

Half of the cost of the new heating systems, which work the same way as fridges only in reverse, is expected to come from the UK government’s Renewable Heat Incentive, made available to communities that are not on the gas network.

The work follows on from a major insulation project, completed in 2016, that saw all Melville properties in Forth fitted with external insulation and cladding, reducing damp, improving weatherproofing and vastly improving comfort levels, making them much cheaper to heat and keep warm.