HOW-TO · Painting
How to Paint a Room Properly
A step-by-step method, plus the calculator for how much paint to buy.
The Home Upgrades That Actually Cut Energy Bills
Ranked by payback period, not popularity.
By James Fielding, DIY & Improvement Editor · Published August 5, 2026 · 2 min read
Photograph: Matt Bango / StockSnap
We ranked common upgrades by measured saving against installed cost. The order surprises people.
Draughtproofing first
Cheapest intervention with the shortest payback in almost every property type. Letterboxes, floorboards, loft hatches.
Then loft insulation
Topping up to 300 mm remains the best value fabric upgrade in most older houses.
Heating controls
Zoning and scheduling deliver real savings. Replacing a working boiler rarely pays back inside its own lifetime.
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