A MASSIVE £40million is being spent providing ­affordable warmth to 5000 Glasgow homes.

Homeowners and tenants of social rented housing will benefit from the investment which is designed to cut energy bills, carbon emissions and help struggling families.

Residents will benefit from funding to install energy-­efficient measures including exterior wall and cavity insulation, special boilers which cost less to run and district heating systems which also result in lower bills.

Recently, Glasgow City Council was awarded £6.6m from the Scottish Government, which will be used to improve the efficiency of home energy systems.

And residents will be helped to obtain ECO funding worth an additional £21m. It is a statutory scheme which imposes a legal obligation on larger ­energy suppliers to deliver ­energy-efficiency measures to domestic energy users.

People who can claim cash include those living in hard to heat homes, people in low ­income areas and those in ­receipt of benefits.

Sustainable Glasgow, which is a partnership between the public sector, higher education and industry, is working with social landlord to provide warmer homes.

They include Shettleston, New Gorbals, Queens Cross and Govan housing associations and Glasgow Housing Association. They will contribute an extra £12m towards the projects.

Queens Cross Housing ­Association was awarded £725,000 towards its innovative green energy project which will benefit 542 flats and maisonettes in the Woodside area of the city.

The system harnesses solar power and uses energy-­efficient boilers.

Home owners in Shettleston will benefit from external wall insulation which will cut their heating bills.

Private householders will receive grants but will also have to contribute to the cost of the work.

And the city council is planning to carry out insulation work for home owners in ­Milton and Pollok.

Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "Fuel poverty is a big problem in Glasgow and it is something which the council is determined to tackle in partnership with housing providers.

"This new investment of £40m is fantastic news for city residents, many of whom are living in hard to heat properties.

"In recent years, we have ­endured some of the coldest winters in living memory and energy costs have been spiralling.

"This funding will enable almost 5000 homes to be upgraded creating more energy-efficient properties which ­retain heat and allow people to live more comfortably without worrying about energy bills.

"It will also help tackle environmental issues by reducing emissions."

Home owners who want ­advice on energy efficiency should contact Home Energy Scotland on freephone number 0808 808 2282.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk