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With the inclement weather still sweeping across the UK, bringing with it severe flooding to many parts of the British Isles, it is vital that householders in flood-affected areas prepare their property for the worst. Steve Bratt, chief executive of the Electrical Contractors' Association, has given his advice on prepping homes for an influx Read more...

When choosing LED light bulbs, householders need to be aware that some models can only work if a dimmer switch is installed to operate them, Legrand has pointed out. Alastair Ramsay, sustainable development manager at the electrical installations company, commented: "Unlike incandescent lamps, specific types of LEDs (light emitting diodes) Read more...

Choosing a new gas or electricity tariff can be tricky as there are so many to pick from, and some options can be perceived as being needlessly complex, energy supplier E.ON has stated. Anthony Ainsworth, sales and marketing director at the Big Six provider, noted that there are around 120 different tariffs available, and seven out of ten Read more...

A change of scenery is often prescribed for people who feel stuck in a rut, but recent research reveals many of us take this advice a little too seriously and frequently makeover our homes. A survey carried out by Graham & Brown found one in five householders redecorate their rooms ahead of a big event, such as Christmas or a birthday party, Read more...

With householders worrying about how they are going to pay their energy bills this winter, the government has unveiled plans to make sure gas and electricity prices represent a better deal. Energy secretary Edward Davey announced a proposal to limit energy providers to just four core tariffs per fuel type and move customers off 'dead' Read more...

Tradespeople who have been working for more than ten years in their industry are the most likely to complete projects without getting paid for them, according to new research. A Direct Line for Business survey has revealed that almost three quarters of tradespeople work unpaid overtime every week, totalling 5.29 hours in seven days and 275 hours a Read more...

After many years in the making, LED light bulbs are finally beginning to have the kind of impact early fans of the technology said they would. This is the view of Alastair Ramsay, sustainable development manager for Legrand, who said that the diodes are rapidly becoming economically viable for homes and businesses. Indeed, "they are Read more...

Householders who are looking to build their own homes usually need deep pockets if they want to see their dream realised, the Home Building Federation has claimed. Steve Turner, spokesman for the organisation, commented: "If you look at the statistics, the majority of self-build homes that have been built over the last few years tend to be Read more...

Many householders dream of being able to build their own home, either because their current abode is too small or outdated, or because they believe it will be cheaper than moving to a new property. When it comes to designing a new home, it is essential to consider what the members of the household will be using each room for. According to Jaimie Read more...

Although there are several big investments homeowners can make to ensure their property retains as much heat and uses as little energy as possible, it is cheaper and more efficient to change your behaviour. This is the advice from Issi Lammas of Greenchoices.org, who noted that while double glazing can save money over time, it might be better to Read more...