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Home improvement facts and resources

Winter facts worth quoting, each with its source, and trusted places to find help.

Before the cold arrives

Winter bills, and what helps

Small jobs save real money. These savings are Energy Saving Trust estimates for a typical home in Great Britain.

  • £1,723a year for a typical household on the energy price cap from 1 October 2026, up 4% from £1,663. Your own bill depends on how much you use.Source: Ofgem, August 2026
  • £120a year saved by turning the thermostat down from 22°C to 21°C in a typical home.Source: Energy Saving Trust
  • £55a year saved by draught-proofing windows, doors and floors. Professional fitting costs about £250, and less if you do it yourself.Source: Energy Saving Trust
  • £45a year saved by swapping the remaining halogen spotlights for LEDs.Source: Energy Saving Trust

Warmth

How well our homes keep the heat in

Damp, air and alarms

Keeping the air and the people safe

  • 1.4mhomes in England have a damp problem, about 5% of all homes.Source: English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025
  • 3 in 10households say they have condensation, damp or mould. The figure is 46% for private renters.Source: English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025
  • 24 hoursis how long social landlords in England have to fix emergency hazards under Awaab’s Law, which came into force on 27 October 2025.Source: UK Government
  • 62%of homes in England have a carbon monoxide alarm.Source: English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025
  • About 30people in the UK die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by badly fitted or poorly kept gas appliances. Have appliances checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.Source: NI Direct, October 2025
  • Almost 1 in 4households have never tested their smoke alarm, even though 93% have at least one that works.Source: English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025

Weather and security

Storms, dark evenings and locks

  • Austenis the first storm name on the 2026 to 2027 list. Check gutters, fences, loose tiles and garden furniture before the first one arrives.Source: Met Office, September 2026
  • 223,456burglaries recorded by police in England and Wales in the year to March 2026, down 9%. The figure covers homes and businesses together.Source: ONS, July 2026
  • Mid-Septemberis when Gas Safety Week is held, the same time of year as National Home Improvement Week. A good moment to book the boiler service.Source: Bury Council, 2026

Checked on 21 October 2026. Figures cover England, Great Britain, the UK or England and Wales, as each source states. If you spot one that has been updated, tell us. Journalists are welcome to use these figures with the source credited. See the media page.

Resources

Where to get help and check someone out

Independent places to find a registered professional, check your rights or cut your bills. We have no commercial link with any of them, and listing them is not an endorsement.

  • Gas Safe Register

    Find a registered gas engineer and check their ID card. Gas work is always for a registered engineer.

    gassaferegister.co.uk

  • Energy Saving Trust

    Independent advice on insulation, heating controls and cutting your bills.

    energysavingtrust.org.uk

  • Ofgem

    The energy regulator. See the price cap and what to do if you struggle to pay.

    ofgem.gov.uk

  • Met Office

    Weather warnings and forecasts, so you can plan outdoor jobs and protect your home.

    metoffice.gov.uk

  • TrustMark

    The government-endorsed scheme for quality work in and around the home.

    trustmark.org.uk

  • NICEIC

    Find a registered electrician and read advice on electrical safety.

    niceic.com

  • Electrical Safety First

    Practical advice on safe electrics in the home, from sockets to heaters.

    electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

  • Citizens Advice

    Free advice on your rights if a trader or a job goes wrong.

    citizensadvice.org.uk

Next step

Ready for winter?

Work through the checklist, then find out what kind of home improver you are.

See the checklist Take the DIY census