You spend as much money on the ‘boring’ parts of your home as you do the nice bits, including the boiler, the radiators, the plumbing. All of these things are essential, and getting them right makes a bigger difference to your home (and your bills) than almost anything else you’ll spend money on.
This category is where I share what I’ve learned about the less glamorous, more practical side of running a home: heating systems, heat pumps, condensation, insulation and the everyday utilities that keep everything ticking over. You won’t find any jargon here! You’re entering a jargon-free zone where I try to help you make confident decisions around your home utilities without needing an engineering degree.
Condensation is one of those really annoying issues that maybe doesn’t seem like it could cause too much harm. But actually, it can stain paintwork, warp window frames and lead to black mould around the seals, which comes with real health risks according to recent GOV.UK guidance. But I promise there is good news! With…
If you’re weighing up a heat pump for your home, there’s a good chance you’ve already pictured your poor radiators being ripped off the wall and replaced with something enormous. ut don’t worry, that’s not quite how it works. The short answer is: no, you almost certainly don’t need to get rid of your radiators…
The poor heat pump has received a bit of a bad reputation, and in my opinion, it’s a little unfounded. Depending on which headline you read, it’s either the obvious future of home heating or an expensive mistake that leaves you shivering through January. For anyone weighing one up as part of a renovation, or…
When we want to make changes to our home, it’s usually for one of two reasons: practicality and aesthetics. We either want things to look nicer or work better. E.g. you might fix a roof to keep the rain out, or get a new boiler that has a smart thermostat you can control from anywhere….
Evenings should bring calm, not complaints about one room feeling like a sauna and another making you shiver. Especially the last few evenings, when it’s hit -9 here in the North West, I’ve found myself wearing my Oodie (warmest thing to ever be designed, by the way) AND a blanket just to stop my hands…
We’ve all heard the “innovative” ways you can reduce your heating bills: “Turn the thermostat down one degree.” “Stick some foil behind your radiator so it reflects more heat into the room.” While yes, these things work, they might not be enough, and there are other things you can do, including replacing your radiators. Old…
Managing the household expenses is no small challenge, and utility bills form a considerable portion of those ongoing costs. Finding places to save money can be near impossible when there are so many things you have to pay for (Netflix counts, right?). But saving on utilities doesn’t need to mean compromising your comfort or even your quality…
There’s little doubt we live in a challenging world. Over the last few years, we’ve all had to deal with the effects of COVID-19, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and now, dramatic tariffs from President Trump. That’s not even mentioning climate change and various natural disasters. According to Canstar Blue, the average annual electricity…
There’s lots you’re probably thinking about before embarking on a home renovation – what order you’ll do things in, what walls need to be put up and taken down, when the kitchen can be installed, where the windows will go. But while it’s exciting to consider all the new things going in, it’s also important…
Tired of high energy bills and looking for savings without sacrificing the planet? Don’t worry—there are incentives to encourage you to make energy efficient changes to your home or business. By using these programmes, you’ll save money and improve the value and feel of your space. It’s easy to create a comfortable living space and…
*This article contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking a link. Good insulation is imperative in any property. Not only can it make your home more efficient, it will keep it warmer in winter and cooler in summer while also reducing your energy bill. It’s…
I know what you’re thinking – not another guide to saving energy at home. There are tons of these on hundreds of websites, but it is an important topic, particularly with the current cost of living crisis and the pre-warning that energy bills will rise by around 10% in October. When you save energy, you’re…