The partners will offer microgeneration installation and maintenance services across the 500,000 homes currently on Mears’ books.

The partnership will also bid for new repair and maintenance contracts coming up for grabs.

Under the deal British Gas will offer landlords energy services and funding to subsidise energy efficiency, renewable and low carbon technology.

This may include  air and ground source heat pumps, bio-mass boilers and solar panels.

The duo will target funding opportunities under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and Community Energy Saving Programme jointly with social housing landlords.

Bob Holt, Chairman of Mears, said: “This is the first partnership of its kind in the UK, demonstrating Mears’ targeted and innovative approach to leadership within the social housing space.

“Our close working relationship with British Gas will strengthen our existing relationships with our key customers, as they seek to find cost effective methods of ensuring environmental compliance.”

He said that social housing tenants should benefit from lower energy bills, warmer homes and better service as a result of better co-ordination which combines existing maintenance services with energy management.

Tenants will also receive direct advice and help from Mears staff to ensure the value of these investments is maximised within the home.