Beijing is helping rural families to replace their coal furnaces with electric heating systems to cut carbon emissions and improve air quality.

This year, homes in about 700 villages will be installed with electric heating systems, according to the city government.

"In the past, we had to carry coal home several times in the winter, and the courtyard was usually spotted with clusters of cinder," said Liu Yuming, a villager whose home was recently upgraded with an electric heating system. "Now, the house looks much cleaner."

The Beijing Municipal Agricultural Commission said the electric systems come in various designs to suit different decorations. For families with coal furnaces, the city is also providing processed "clean coal", which produces less carbon.