M&S launched it’s home energy division a year ago, offering a variety of environmentally friendly home energy products. This latest move into the insulation market is not unexpected, given the huge numbers of households yet to insulate their homes.

Recent estimates suggest that 2 million homes could still benefit from grants available towards the cost of insulation, making the average price around £150 for either loft of cavity wall insulation.

In a bold move, M&S has also announced that it will insulate the homes of all 30,000 of its employees for free, creating what it calls “energy ambassadors”. A clever way to help spread it’s message and encourage word of mouth.

“It will produce a significant cut in their carbon emissions, cut their energy bills and, we believe, inspire them to become advocates for energy efficiency.” says Richard Gillies, director of Plan A at M&S.

There will no doubt be significant profits to be made from this venture, and it isn’t wholly altruistic. M&S has close ties with EDF (also helping Sainsburys to offer a similar service), who provide the necessary insulation grants as part of government plans to reduce carbon emissions amongst UK households.

With so many companies now offering insulation, how do you know who to turn to? It is, afterall, a fairly standard procedure (but one that should always be done by a professional), and the workmanship shouldn’t vary too much between installers.

There are many, many smaller insulation companies who operate within their own area of the country. Using these companies guarantees a personal service, without the corporate jargon and flashy graphics that all add to the final price.

If you’re interested in finding out how much you could qualify for, as well as talking to a local insulation company near you, simply fill in the form at the top of this page.

Camberley, Kidderminster and Leicester will act as showrooms for the supermarket’s new line of energy saving heating appliances. As well as cavity wall and loft insulaton, these showrooms will also  provide solar panels and allow customers to compare energy prices.

Upon selecting a heating appliance or energy saving device, an engineer from EDF Energy will then visit the home and install it.

Sainsburys says that this is the first time that energy-saving products have been made available in UK supermarkets. It follows a growing trend from supermarkets to extend their range of products away from food and groceries.

Whether this initative has a future, or whether it is a PR stunt designed to benefit both Sainsburys and EDF, only time will tell.

In partnership with EDF Energy, Sainsburys are offering cavity wall insulation or loft insulation for £249 each, or free to those who qualify.

Michael Dyke, MD, Customer Services at EDF Energy, says:
“We are delighted to be working with one of the nation’s favourite retailers on helping to bring cavity wall and loft insulation to Sainsbury’s customers. This package perfectly complements ‘Our Climate Commitments’, launched in June 2007, which represent the biggest package of environmental initiatives launched by any major British energy company.”

The quickiest way to calculate whether you’re eligable for an insulation grant is to use our form on the right of this page.