A student accommodation firm is to spend £21 million to install energy-saving lighting in 120 properties across the UK.

Unite Students has teamed up with electronics company Philips, which will upgrade the lighting in 23 town and cities in the next two years.

The project would see 300,000 LEDs and 85,000 automated sensors installed in corridors, kitchens, lounges, common rooms, reception spaces and outdoor areas.

It is estimated to deliver energy savings of between 10%-15% a year as well as a reduction in maintenance costs, with a payback on the project expected within five years.

The improvements will also cut carbon emissions by around 2,000 tonnes every year and reduce Unite’s overall carbon footprint by 3.5%.

Richard Smith, Managing Director for Unite Students said: “The new lighting will create a more inviting space for students which they can personalise for socialising or study. At the same time it will reduce Unite’s carbon footprint and the longer lifecycle of LED lights will significantly reduce maintenance workloads for our city teams.”

Under the deal, Unite Students will contribute £9.6 million to the project with the remainder funded by its co-investment partners.