No driveway? England’s new cross-pavement charging rule could help

A planning change makes qualifying pavement cable channels easier to install. Your highway authority still has to authorise the work, and the position of the parked car remains crucial.

Keep draughts out without sealing the house shut

A cold window edge can be a manageable job. Start by finding the unwanted leak, keep the ventilation working and choose a seal that still lets everything close properly.

Before the first autumn fire, check more than the log basket

A cold stove, a service record and a working carbon-monoxide alarm are better starting points than a match.

Drying laundry indoors without making the whole house damp

The washing has to go somewhere. Give the moisture a route out, too, and the routine becomes much easier to manage.

Had wall insulation fitted under ECO4 or GBIS? How to get it checked and what to do if something’s wrong

Seven heating-control checks to make before winter

Before buying a smart thermostat, spend a little time with the controls already in your home. These seven checks help you spot a timetable or setting that no longer suits your routine.

Before you top up loft insulation: storage, damp and ventilation

More insulation may be a useful autumn project, but first establish what is already in the loft and how the space is used. Storage boards, moisture and access can all change the work required.

October’s energy-price change: what to check on your bill

Ofgem’s next energy-price-cap period starts on 1 October. Use the change as a prompt to check your tariff and rates: the widely reported annual figure is an illustration, not the maximum your household can be billed.