A MULTI-million pound scheme to offer Hampshire residents free cavity wall and loft insulation is creating 40 local jobs at an installation firm.

Dyson Insulations Limited, one of the country’s largest independent installers of insulation, heating and renewable energy, has opened a new branch in Chandler’s Ford as it carries out work on the Insulate Hampshire scheme.

The scheme was a key driver for the company, predominantly based in the Midlands and North of England, to choose to expand its operations southwards.

It plans to hire 30 local staff by the end of this year, increasing to 40 by March next year.

Dyson Insulations operations director Ian Morrall said his firm, one of three contractors doing the work, was carrying out around 250 installations a month under the scheme and expected it to rise to 400 after it became free to residents this week.

“It’s been a very good boost for business,” he said.

Dyson, which has moved into commercial premises in Eagle Close, also installs domestic insulation and solar panels to homes throughout the region under other contracts.

Efficiency experts estimate that households could save up to £135 annually by having their cavity walls insulated and up to £175 by insulating their lofts.

The Insulate Hampshire scheme, which runs until December next year, has been made free after increased funding by Scottish Power.

As reported yesterday, it has put up enough cash to cover all eligible households that apply for the scheme – likely to be in the region of £5m for Hampshire to pay for work on more than 13,000 homes.

Dyson has grown over 27 years from installing loft insulation from a depot in West Yorkshire to become an energy service provider employing over 400 people.

The free insulation offer is part of a drive to save Hampshire households an additional £3m each year from their energy bills.

Councillor Ken Thornber, chairman of the Hampshire Senate, which is backing it, said: “When we launched Insulate Hampshire, we were offering a compelling and cost effective scheme to help residents tackle the rising cost of keeping homes warm. Now we can offer a free scheme to all residents, regardless of their personal circumstances, to fully insulate their homes, save money on their fuel bills and reduce their carbon emissions.”

Homes in Southampton and Portsmouth are not eligible for the scheme.