News
Why Aluminium Foil Behind Radiators Is Not the Fastest Way to Warm a Room
Gareth Whitcombe
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The first truly cold evening of the year always seems to arrive at exactly the wrong time. You get home...
News
Turn Empty Tin Cans into Herb Planters for Your Balcony
Gareth Whitcombe
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Many people clear out their kitchens and balconies in spring without giving it much thought. One everyday item nearly always...
News
How Cleaning Your AC or HVAC Filter Every 30 Days Changes Your Home
Gareth Whitcombe
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You tend to notice only when something seems… wrong. The living-room air feels slightly more stale, dust appears to settle...
News
Shenzhen–Zhongshan: China’s 24-Kilometre Superstructure of Bridges, Tunnel and Islands
Gareth Whitcombe
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Driving above the sea, abruptly disappearing into a tunnel and then arriving on an artificial island with a technology museum:...
News
Remove Stubborn Stickers with Sticky Tape and a Hairdryer
Gareth Whitcombe
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Many people resort to scraping irritably with a fingernail, rubbing with a tea towel or, in frustration, even reaching for...
News
Wood Briquettes: The Efficient Alternative to Traditional Firewood
Gareth Whitcombe
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People who rely on wood in winter usually think of traditional firewood from a DIY retailer or forestry supplier. Yet...
News
Use Your Thermostat Properly and Cut Heating Costs
Gareth Whitcombe
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The small control box on the wall can determine whether you need a thick jumper in January – or only...
News
Why Councils Ban Silver Maple Near Houses
Gareth Whitcombe
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The crown rises above the roof, while the roots have lifted the paved path as though someone had secretly inflated...
News
Xiaomi Mijia Air Conditioner Giant Power-Saving 2026 launches with 18 dB noise level
Gareth Whitcombe
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Xiaomi is beginning sales of the new Mijia Air Conditioner Giant Power-Saving 2026 in China through JD.com. The model’s first...
News
How to Stop Dust Returning with Microfibre, White Vinegar and Glycerine
Gareth Whitcombe
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Every shelf is gleaming, the hoover is back in the cupboard… then, within two days, a dull grey film has...
News
How Much Firewood Does a House Need for Winter?
Gareth Whitcombe
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Heating a house with firewood can often reduce costs – but only if the amount needed for the entire winter...
News
Solar-Powered Sand Floor Could Transform Home Heating
Gareth Whitcombe
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In research laboratories thousands of miles from London and New York, an ambitious system with a decidedly low-tech premise is...
News
Turn Lawn into a Productive Bed with Cardboard
Gareth Whitcombe
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What initially sounds like odd advice from a neighbour turns out to be a remarkably effective permaculture technique. No digging,...
News
Portugal fuel price shock: how the tax brake works
Gareth Whitcombe
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Petrol station prices are rising, oil has climbed above the $100 mark, and many drivers are asking how long this...
News
Clean Stove Glass Without Ash: Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda
Gareth Whitcombe
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Many owners of wood-burning and pellet stoves will know the sight all too well. Rather than an inviting display of...
News
Why Closing Vents Can Raise Your Heating Costs
Gareth Whitcombe
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The first time I watched somebody march along their hallway to shut a vent, it was my neighbour. Wrapped in...
News
How Long Does Gorilla Glue Take to Dry and Cure?
Gareth Whitcombe
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Gorilla Glue is unquestionably extremely strong. However, it only delivers its full performance when it has been given the correct...
News
How Homemade Hot-Water Systems Can Beat Boilers by Cutting Heat Loss
Gareth Whitcombe
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On a dull Tuesday morning, Sam stood in his garage looking at a jumble of copper pipework, a used hot-water...
News
Houseplants for Cleaner Indoor Air: The Peace Lily
Gareth Whitcombe
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We spend almost our entire lives indoors, where carpets, paint, furnishings and electronic devices quietly release gases into the air....
News
Clean Cloudy Headlights with Vinegar: The Simple Kitchen Trick
Gareth Whitcombe
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A simple kitchen staple can make them shine again surprisingly quickly. Most people faced with cloudy headlights either buy expensive...
News
How Many Stacked Cubic Metres of Firewood for 80 to 120 m²?
Gareth Whitcombe
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If you underestimate the amount required, you could quickly be sitting in a cold living room by January. Anyone intending...
