Latest news with #Screwfix
Auto Car
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Why I love tools (and not just for fixing my cars)
I am going to talk cars in a moment, I promise, but it's front of mind: the other week I had to put up a gatepost. Or rather two of them, joined back to back, at a pretty normal height of 1.5m but overall a hefty 20cm by 40cm thick. I knew I'd need tools for this. In no definitive order, I needed a tape measure, T-square, spirit level, sledgehammer, ratchet strap, chainsaw, drill (with a very long bit), spanner (preferably ratchet), club hammer and crosshead screwdriver and coach bolts. If I'd been missing any single item, the job would have gone, by varying degrees, from slightly more difficult to nearly impossible. And had I been missing anything, I wouldn't have tried it, and the only tool I'd have used instead would have been a telephone. If there's something I find utterly exasperating (I'll admit that's quite a lot of things these days), it's not being able to do a job because I'm missing the right kit. And so as a result: I love tools. It's not so much that I adore the tools themselves, not in the way I love cars. I don't spend hours poring over the Screwfix or Machine Mart websites in the way I might the Caterham or Indian motorcycle configurators. I don't lovingly polish my trolley jack of an evening [I've tried various tools there to find one that doesn't sound too much like a euphemism]. I just love what tools allow me to do. Although, given that they're tools, perhaps by definition that amounts to the same thing. If the feeling is analogous to the one I get from cars, it's that tools provide a sense of freedom. I can make things, and I'll enjoy it. I can repair things, and while I might not enjoy it because it gets in the way of a cup of tea and an episode of Yellowstone, I have options on how, when and perhaps how affordably a fix will happen. And maybe I'll learn something on the way, too. And without tools, there are some things I simply wouldn't have: a greenhouse, a stocked woodshed, a sim rig for Gran Turismo, a dining room table that will outlive me, two modified cars and a motorcycle that lives in a shelter I made for it.
ITV News
13-06-2025
- Science
- ITV News
Constructing in the cold: Inside the bold build at the bottom of the world
If the producers of Grand Designs were looking for the most extreme building project ever, I think I've found it. 67 degrees south, deep in the Antarctic Circle. On Ryder Bay, 1,000 miles from the nearest city, is the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera Research Station. For 50 years, scientists, engineers, and adventurers have been based here, braving conditions as cold as -20°C and permanent darkness during the polar winter. For the past six years, builders have been here too, constructing the Discovery Building. It's a 90-meter-long, 4,500 m² facility that serves as an office, storeroom, power plant, hospital, control tower, and nerve centre of Britain's Antarctic operations. There isn't a Screwfix or B&Q nearby, so every single tool, tile, and tin of paint has had to be shipped in – 400 containers in total. Surprisingly, fire is a huge risk here. Antarctica is so dry that it's technically a desert. With no prospect of a quick rescue during the winter, they can't take any risks. A massive 40,000-litre tank of water can be emptied onto flames in just 30 minutes. All water is desalinated from the sea. 'Why don't you just melt the snow?', I asked plumber Tobias. 'Back in the day, about 30 or 40 years ago, they did, but they only had one shower per week. Today, with these systems, we can produce 10,000 litres of water a day.' The colour scheme has raised a few eyebrows. Stairwells and offices are painted in bold floor-to-ceiling blue, green, red, or yellow. It's the architect's attempt to counteract the dull, dark winter nights, but I get the sense that some of the scientists might prefer a more muted magnolia. The project has cost £100 million of taxpayers' money. It's a symbol of the UK's commitment to polar science—not to mention the geopolitical importance of maintaining a physical presence on the continent. There's plenty of snagging to do over winter. Then the not insignificant challenge of dismantling the old buildings it has replaced. Strict environmental rules in Antarctica mean every scrap of rubbish and rubble must be shipped back home. At least they have a use for those 400 empty shipping containers!
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
I'm an Irish electrician – here's my little-known tips to help reduce bills by hundreds & way to get FREE energy
WITH energy bills often being a top expense for Irish households, it may seem like there's not much you can do to save money. But one electrician has shared his top tips for lowering your energy bills by hundreds of euro each year that many might not be aware of. 3 Dan O'Shea is Screwfix's Trade Apprentice winner for 2025 Credit: Journalist Collect 3 And he shared all of his tips to reduce energy costs in the home Credit: Journalist Collect Dan O'Shea is a 20-year-old electrician from Raised in Newtowncashel, Dan gained his skills working alongside his father Enda in His journey into becoming an electrician began after leaving his studies in agricultural science at UCD to pursue an apprenticeship. Dan said: 'My parents always told me to do well in school so I did and I studied hard and got into UCD for agricultural science. READ MORE IN MONEY 'Within two weeks I dropped out. I was always surrounded by trades and working with my uncle and my dad so I decided to do an apprenticeship with FWhite electrical.' Now the youngest winner of 2025's Screwfix's trade apprentice, this promising electrician has shared all of his tips to lower energy costs in the One of Dan's first recommendations is to replace all fluorescent and conventional light bulbs with LED lighting due to their energy efficiency and longer lifespan. LED lights consume up to 80 per cent less electricity than traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and Dan says this can lead to major savings on household MOST READ IN MONEY Dan said: 'In many households there is old lighting, fluorescent tubes, fluorescent bulbs but nowadays we have LED lights. 'These are great - they have a longer shelf life, it's usually better lighting, it can be controlled from your phone and they are far handier on electricity costs.' From TV to energy... tips to save you money on 7 bills that are going up in April Another tip Dan has is to switch off electrical appliances completely when they are not in use, as many devices continue to draw power and inflate energy costs. Small habits, such as frequently turning lights on and off or repeatedly using appliances like toasters and kettles unnecessarily, can see a major increase in electricity consumption. Everyday habits And to help homeowners monitor their usage, Dan advises installing an Smart meters allow users to see which appliances are the most energy-intensive and adjust their habits accordingly, making energy savings more achievable. What's more, he said that there may be Dan said: 'There are ESB smart meters and that allows you to track your energy usage. 'I've talked to a lot of people about them and it helps them to see what they're spending their energy on - if you're able to keep track of your energy usage and amend it over the long run that is how you will save money.' Another tip Dan has is scheduling energy-heavy appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, to run during off-peak hours at night. Running these appliances at night not only reduces energy costs but also eases demand on the national grid during peak daytime hours. 'Save thousands on your electricity bills' And beyond everyday energy-saving habits, Dan believes that investing in solar panels is the single most effective way for Irish homeowners to reduce their energy costs. Solar panels work by converting sunlight into usable electricity, which can then power household appliances. They can significantly decrease electricity bills by generating free, renewable energy and in some cases, surplus energy can be sold back to the grid. And Dan said while it may take 3/4 years to start seeing your return on your He added: "The biggest one is solar panels - within four years they pay for themselves and it is pretty much free electricity from then on. 'It's gone crazy across Ireland and the majority of new homes are being built with them or installing them. 'You get your money back within a couple of years and then you save thousands on your electricity bills going forward.' 3 Dan believes solar panels are the best way to reduce your energy costs Credit: Journalist Collect
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Landlords say homes energy efficiency schedule is ‘detached from reality'
The Government's plan to improve the energy efficiency of all private rented homes is 'detached from reality', landlords have warned. The proposed timeframe for requiring all properties to meet a higher efficiency rating is 'simply unrealistic' largely due to a shortage of tradespeople to carry out the work, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said. The Government's consultation on the plan, which aims to cut bills and emissions to deliver a statutory fuel poverty target, closed last month. It proposes that all privately rented properties must meet a minimum efficiency standard C, rather than the current required rating of E, by 2030. The NRLA said that while landlords support the overall objective, the Government must rethink its implementation process. Under the Government's current timeline, the new minimum efficiency standard, which will be set against new metrics, will be confirmed in late 2026, with a view to it applying to all new tenancies by 2028 – and all tenancies by 2030. The NRLA said this could give landlords less than two years to upgrade more than 2.5 million rented homes that it estimates do not currently meet the new energy performance standard. It also said ministers have not explained how the 'extensive' works will be funded. In its response to the consultation, the NRLA cited research by the Kingfisher group, the owner of brands such as Screwfix, B&Q and Tradepoint, which estimated there will be a shortfall of 250,000 skilled tradespeople in the UK by 2030. The NRLA proposed an adjusted implementation plan which requires landlords to meet specified standards relating to the fabric of the building, such as improved insulation, by 2030. All landlords should then meet secondary standards relating to smart meters and efficient heating systems by 2036, it said. NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle said: 'We want all private rented properties to be as energy efficient as possible. However, tenants are being sold a pup with timelines that are hopelessly unrealistic. 'The idea that millions of homes can be retrofitted in less than two years is detached from all reality, not least given the chronic shortage of tradespeople the sector needs to get the work done. 'Noble ambitions mean little without practical and realistic policy to match.' In its annual report in 2024, the advisory Committee on Fuel Poverty said: ' Failure to make rapid progress in the private rented sector on energy efficiency will fundamentally undermine any Government strategy to end fuel poverty.' A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 'Everyone deserves to live in a warm home, which is why we have recently consulted on plans to require private landlords to meet higher energy performance standards. 'These plans could lift up to half a million households out of fuel poverty by 2030, while also making renters hundreds of pounds better off. 'We have also announced plans to train up to 18,000 skilled workers to install heat pumps, fit solar panels, install insulation and work on heat networks.'
Scottish Sun
30-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
How to use a 10p cable tie to totally clear out your plug holes WITHOUT any chemicals or touching the gross hair gunk
Plus, seven grossest household items you aren't cleaning enough HAIR ME OUT How to use a 10p cable tie to totally clear out your plug holes WITHOUT any chemicals or touching the gross hair gunk Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BLOCKED drains are a homeowner's worst nightmare, but for the most part they're unavoidable. A kitchen sink, for example, has to deal with large amounts of grease and food on a daily basis. 2 One savvy mum shared a game-changer of a cleaning hack on TikTok where it's since gone viral Credit: TIKTOK/@tsagana24 2 All you need for cleaning the gunk-filled drains is a piece of cable tie Credit: TIKTOK/@tsagana24 Meanwhile, when it comes to a bathroom drain, it has to handle soap suds, grime and hair whenever you shower or take a relaxing bath. But while there are heaps of different products on the market to tackle this problem, sometimes they tend to be pricey - or not work at all. Luckily, one TikToker has shared a nifty 10p solution, which she was allegedly taught by a plumber. The secret remedy? Nothing but a basic cable tie that you can snap up from Screwfix for just 99p for a 100-pack. According to the TikTok user and mum Tsagana, all you need to do is simply grab a pair of scissors and make a few diagonal cuts - these will act like tiny hooks. Once ready, she demonstrated in the now-viral video, hop into the shower or your bathtub and slide the flat tie down the drain. Go in as deep as possible and give the plastic tie a good wiggle to pick up as much gunk as possible. Tsagana, who posts under the username @tsagana24, then proceeded to pull the tie out - leaving viewers horrified by the chunks of hair and gunk that came out with it. If needed, repeat the process for an extra clean drain. ''Why didn't I know about this genius hack earlier?'' the mother wrote in the caption. I was gutted when scrubbing didn't get my 'stained' blender clean, then remembered a £3.25 spray I had in the cupboard 'Your plumber did not gate keep!' Since being uploaded online, the clip has taken the internet by storm, winning the mum a staggering 8.7million vires. It also has an astronomical 280k likes, 84k shares, with close to 2,000 viewers flooding to comments. The household items you're not cleaning often enough IF you want to ensure your home is squeaky clean, you'll need to listen up. Below are the household items you're forgetting to clean, and how to get them sparkling... Remote Controls: Wipe with a disinfectant cloth. Use a cotton bud for crevices. Light Switches: Wipe with a disinfectant wipe. Use a mild soap solution for tough stains. Door Handles: Clean with an antibacterial spray. Wipe down regularly. Underneath and Behind Appliances: Vacuum or sweep regularly. Mop with a suitable cleaner. Shower Curtains and Liners: Wash in the washing machine. Use a bleach solution for stubborn mildew. Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths: Microwave damp sponges for one minute. Wash dishcloths in the washing machine. Computer Keyboards and Mice: Use compressed air to remove debris. Wipe with a disinfectant wipe. One said: ''Unscrew the little top hat looking thing! It makes doing this so much easier.'' ''Your plumber did not gate keep!'' another chimed in. However, whilst many were keen to test this hack for themselves. not everyone has the best experience. ''tried it, it broke, now there's plastic stuck deep inside my drain and it's more blocked than before,'' one cleaning fan cried. A fourth chimed in with another nifty solution, writing: ''But, there is this thing called, drain snake. Readily available. ''It is has very reliable handle to hold. And it is cheap. You can reuse it. You don't need a plier to hold that. Highly recommended.''
