Latest Articles - mastsystems.co.uk

Person photographing busy bridge over water with large golden bird statue and cable-stayed bridge in background.

Shenzhen–Zhongshan: China’s 24-Kilometre Superstructure of Bridges, Tunnel and Islands

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Driving above the sea, abruptly disappearing into a tunnel and then arriving on an artificial island with a technology museum:...

Hand applying a white adhesive label to a glass jar on a kitchen countertop with a hairdryer nearby.

Remove Stubborn Stickers with Sticky Tape and a Hairdryer

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Many people resort to scraping irritably with a fingernail, rubbing with a tea towel or, in frustration, even reaching for...

Hand placing firewood on a wooden table near a lit fireplace with stacked logs in the background.

Wood Briquettes: The Efficient Alternative to Traditional Firewood

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

People who rely on wood in winter usually think of traditional firewood from a DIY retailer or forestry supplier. Yet...

Person adjusting a wall thermostat dial while holding a smartphone with a smart home app in a living room.

Use Your Thermostat Properly and Cut Heating Costs

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

The small control box on the wall can determine whether you need a thick jumper in January – or only...

Two men in high-visibility vests inspecting a large tree and small sapling in a residential garden.

Why Councils Ban Silver Maple Near Houses

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

The crown rises above the roof, while the roots have lifted the paved path as though someone had secretly inflated...

Man sitting on sofa reading a book with a cat, under a wall-mounted air conditioner in a bright living room

Xiaomi Mijia Air Conditioner Giant Power-Saving 2026 launches with 18 dB noise level

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Xiaomi is beginning sales of the new Mijia Air Conditioner Giant Power-Saving 2026 in China through JD.com. The model’s first...

Hand cleaning a wooden table with a yellow cloth and spray bottle in a sunlit living room.

How to Stop Dust Returning with Microfibre, White Vinegar and Glycerine

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Every shelf is gleaming, the hoover is back in the cupboard… then, within two days, a dull grey film has...

Woman warming hands by a wood stove in a cozy room with stacked firewood and a scenic window view at sunset.

How Much Firewood Does a House Need for Winter?

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Heating a house with firewood can often reduce costs – but only if the amount needed for the entire winter...

Young man and child sitting barefoot on a sunlit wooden floor by a large window in a modern living room.

Solar-Powered Sand Floor Could Transform Home Heating

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

In research laboratories thousands of miles from London and New York, an ambitious system with a decidedly low-tech premise is...

Older woman wearing a straw hat gardening in a backyard, kneeling beside a cardboard box and watering can.

Turn Lawn into a Productive Bed with Cardboard

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

What initially sounds like odd advice from a neighbour turns out to be a remarkably effective permaculture technique. No digging,...

Man selecting fuel type at a petrol station while holding a petrol pump nozzle near a white car.

Portugal fuel price shock: how the tax brake works

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Petrol station prices are rising, oil has climbed above the $100 mark, and many drivers are asking how long this...

Person cleaning glass door of a modern wood fireplace with a sponge in a cosy living room.

Clean Stove Glass Without Ash: Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Many owners of wood-burning and pellet stoves will know the sight all too well. Rather than an inviting display of...

Technician in overalls kneeling indoors checking a wall vent while holding a digital tablet.

Why Closing Vents Can Raise Your Heating Costs

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

The first time I watched somebody march along their hallway to shut a vent, it was my neighbour. Wrapped in...

Person applying wood glue with clamp on wooden panels on a workbench in a workshop with sunlight.

How Long Does Gorilla Glue Take to Dry and Cure?

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

Gorilla Glue is unquestionably extremely strong. However, it only delivers its full performance when it has been given the correct...

Person holding steaming insulation material near boiler and temperature gauge on wooden table with plans.

How Homemade Hot-Water Systems Can Beat Boilers by Cutting Heat Loss

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

On a dull Tuesday morning, Sam stood in his garage looking at a jumble of copper pipework, a used hot-water...

Peace lily plant in white pot on wooden table with candle and spray bottle in bright modern living room.

Houseplants for Cleaner Indoor Air: The Peace Lily

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

We spend almost our entire lives indoors, where carpets, paint, furnishings and electronic devices quietly release gases into the air....

White Vinagre-X electric sports car displayed indoors with sleek, aerodynamic design and LED headlights.

Clean Cloudy Headlights with Vinegar: The Simple Kitchen Trick

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

A simple kitchen staple can make them shine again surprisingly quickly. Most people faced with cloudy headlights either buy expensive...

Person stacking neatly cut firewood under a wooden shelter beside a cabin with a log, axe, notebook and device on a bench.

How Many Stacked Cubic Metres of Firewood for 80 to 120 m²?

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

If you underestimate the amount required, you could quickly be sitting in a cold living room by January. Anyone intending...

Man adjusting refrigerator thermostat while holding energy efficiency label in a bright kitchen.

The biggest electricity guzzler in the home: the fridge-freezer

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

When electricity prices rise, most people immediately think about heating. Yet one quietly running appliance in the home secretly uses...

Person hanging string lights on a wooden garden fence with a table and chairs in the background.

Home Bargains Firefly Bright Filament String Solar Lights: a low-cost garden update

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

As the days begin to lengthen again, attention naturally turns to the balcony, patio and garden. At that point, many...

Man in a sweater adding wood chips to a lit wood-burning stove in a cosy living room with snow outside.

Why French Families Are Choosing a Non-Electric Pellet Stove

Gareth Whitcombe • September 21, 2026

As electricity networks face increasing strain and energy costs remain unpredictable, many households in France are reassessing the way they...