Latest articles by Joseph Mullane
I tried the 'hidden' uPVC window setting that could save you up to £85 a year on your energy bills – here's what I discovered
Discover how adjusting a hidden setting in your uPVC window locking mechanism can reduce draughts, keep your home warmer and lower your energy bills
Sheds turned into energy rooms as UK trial cuts monthly household energy bills from £375 to £40
A garden shed in Essex is using computer heat to cut bills – and the technology could soon help other UK homes save too
UK solar smashes all-time record as rooftop installations soar in 2025 – but which regions are leading the way?
UK rooftop solar hits all-time high in 2025 with surprise regions leading the way behind Britain's 'rooftop revolution'
You can now get £2,500 off the price of air-to-air heat pumps as Boiler Upgrade Scheme expands
Air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries become eligible for £2,500 grants as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is widened
Monty Don’s garden hit by major flooding as month’s worth of rain falls in 24 hours
Monty Don's garden at Longmeadow has been flooded after a storm dumps a month’s worth of rain in a single day, but the gardener finds 'transformative beauty' amid the deluge
Disturbing these hidden wildlife in your garden this winter could land you a big fine or 6 months in prison
Winter renovations and garden work can accidentally harm hibernating species. Experts reveal how to protect wildlife and stay on the right side of the law
Why a second Planning Bill might be on the way — and what it might include
The government is weighing a second major planning bill, and it could reshape how quickly new homes and renovation projects get the green light
Solar firms that took £3 million from pensioners shut down after refund scam
Homeowners urged to check credentials after rogue installers misled customers with fake “government refund” promises
High-value homes face new inheritance tax scrutiny from upcoming Budget
Rising house prices mean more families risk paying inheritance tax as the Chancellor considers changes to property reliefs and thresholds in the November Budget
James Corden’s self‑build home on Druid site awaiting S106 clearance
The Gavin & Stacey creator's self-build on Remenham’s Druids’ heritage site cannot be fully signed off until council confirms all protections are met
One fire every two days linked to solar panels prompting calls for stricter installation checks
Home solar panel fires are climbing across the UK, prompting safety warnings from insurers and fire chiefs as installations hit record levels
Electricity prices must fall or Britain risks stalling its green heating revolution
Experts warn that high electricity costs are deterring homeowners from installing heat pumps, threatening the UK’s path to net zero unless urgent reforms are made
Budget tax fears slowing homebuilding and threatening Government’s 1.5m homes target
Builders are delaying new projects as proposed taxes and rising costs create uncertainty for anyone planning to build a house in the UK
Is the government about to cut the Boiler Upgrade Scheme? Government in talks to reduce green house levies
The £7,500 heat pump grant could be in danger as the Treasury looks at cutting grants that help to bring down household bills
Government considers cutting VAT on domestic energy bills
The government is considering removing the 5% VAT on domestic energy bills, potentially saving high-energy households hundreds of pounds
Is Britain about to introduce an exit tax for emigrants? What could this mean for UK property owners and how much would you have to pay
A possible UK “exit tax” is potentially on the horizon, meaning if your home is your biggest asset, you need to know what’s being discussed now
We tested out five window condensation hacks to see if any of them work
Could these common household items stop window condensation? Here’s what happened when we tried them
Why it may soon be easier to change an approved planning permission under the Government’s new 'consent mechanism'
A proposed legal route known as Section 73B could make it easier to amend planning permissions without submitting a full new application - helping homeowners save time and cost
What can you burn in your garden? The laws on burning waste and why getting it wrong could cost you £50k
Burning the wrong materials in your garden could lead to heavy fines under UK law. Here’s what you can burn, when you can do it, and how to avoid penalties
House of Lords propose amendments to protect barn owls and otters from Planning & Infrastructure Bill
Peers push for wildlife safeguards as housing and planning reforms advance
Council tax could soon be doubled — but which homes and which areas are most at risk?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering proposals that could see council tax rise 100% in a move that will hit some areas far harder than others
Men more likely to consider heat‑pump technology than women, new poll shows
Survey reveals men are more aware of, more informed about, and more likely to consider installing heat pumps than women
Couple ordered to install screening after neighbours object to ‘luxury shed’
A garden office built without permission at the end of a Monmouth garden has been approved, but only if the owners erect a two-metre willow screen to protect their neighbours’ privacy
