COMPUTER experts are to arm a council house with cutting-edge devices to find out if hi-tech innovations can help ordinary families go green.

A Colchester family who have volunteered as guinea pigs for the Essex University experiment could win a rent cut, if they succeed in reducing their carbon footprint.

Academics have joined forces with Colchester Borough Homes to apply for funding for the scheme from the Economic and Social Research Council.

If granted, the cash will pay for the selected council property to be fitted with gadgets including: l Lights that turn themselves off if no-one is in the room l Solar panels to heat water l A small turbine on the roof to help provide electricity.

Researchers already know the devices can help cut fuel emissions – but want to see how much impact they can have on the overall carbon output of a typical family.

Although the equipment will give them an advantage, the household will also have to change its habits in order to win the rent cut, by always remembering to turn off electrical appliances, for example.

They will also be challenged to make full use of specially-provided recycling bins for different materials.

Dr John Woods, a senior lecturer in the uni’s school of computer science and electronic engineering, said: “We will give them all the equipment and see how they get on. If they live up to expectations we will reduce their rent. If not, we won’t.

“The council have already allocated the house and found people interested in doing it.”

The experiment was cited as an example of Colchester Council’s involvement in environmental schemes at a recent meeting of its strategic overview and scrutiny panel.