A home energy-saving scheme is to be piloted this week in selected areas of the UK to coincide with the launch of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
The Pay As You Save (PAYS) programme has been launched as ministers from the world's major nations meet in the Danish capital to discuss climate change and ways to reduce its effect.
PAYS is designed to make powering a home easy and more affordable using green methods.
It includes the installation of energy-saving devices such as insulation,
solar panels and ground source heat pumps which are funded upfront by the government, then repaid gradually over a long period of time by homeowners.
With no immediate payment required, ministers are hoping the scheme could eventually tempt around 22 million British homeowners to invest in green technology.
At first, it is being offered to about 500 households in Birmingham, Sunderland, Sutton and Stroud - meaning they will be among the first to experience increased energy efficiency and, possibly,
lower bills.
Climate change secretary Ed Miliband said: "Many British householders want to reduce their emissions, but are put off by the upfront cost of installing
insulation, solar panels or ground source heat pumps. PAYS will trial different ways of paying for this work so it's affordable."
The cabinet member added that the Copenhagen summit is a "crunch time" for the world and that major players, including Britain, must lead by example when it comes to energy saving.
He said that households have a "moral obligation" to do their bit for the environment but that the government must provide them with adequate resources.
PAYS could be seen as a major step towards achieving eco-friendly properties, where a percentage of home energy is produced on site by renewable methods.
Price comparison site moneysupermarket.com last week stated that homeowners could save "hundreds of pounds overnight" by introducing a range of energy-saving techniques.
It named turning the thermostat down, drawing the curtains, charging devices for only as long as is necessary and making sure you have a full load in your washing machine before use as the best ways to cut down on energy use.
