The BBC's TV detector vans are simply a form of psychological warfare

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The UK’s Information Commissioner, who’s been a very busy man/department recently, declined a freedom of information request to reveal how many TV license detector vans the BBC operates – because it might stop people believing they exist.

The shadowy fleet of TV-detecting vans is supposed to be able to pick up tell-tale signs that a TV’s being used inside a house, but the ICO ruled that revealing how many vans the BBC actually operates – and the technology they use – might undermine the level of threat they pose. And lead to us not bothering to pay our licence fees any more…

Ecobee – a Wi-Fi thermostat

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We’ve all been there. Sat, just after midnight at your PC, shivering because the heating’s not on. You wrap a blanket around you, but you know that at some point you’ll need to turn the heating on, because you’re nowhere near done with your work for the evening.

What you need is something that will save you getting up, because getting up is cold. You need the Ecobee – a Wi-Fi thermostat. It syncs with a web server, so you can control your heating from afar – turn it on before you leave work, for example. It could even adjust the heating depending on what the weather conditions are like outside – if it knows there’s a cold snap coming, for example…

VIDEO: Energy & Efficiency, episode 6

Today I will reveal how you can save POUNDS by recharging all your gadgets for FREE! Yes, that’s right. For free. How can this be done? Have I invented something? Have I learned how to harness the awesome power of the sea? Have I mastered cold fusion in my fridge?

Or am I just lying to get attention? You’ll have to watch the below video to find out, as there’s no point me saying what the secret to a lifetime of free electricity is here if I’ve spent ages doing a video about it. That’s not how it works.

So there you go. I’m typing this using electricity I didn’t have to pay for…

VIDEO: Energy & Efficiency, episode 5

It’s bad enough having to wash your clothes, but when the washing process sucks up vast piles of water and electricity and costs you money it’s downright INFURIATING!

Which is why today’s tip addresses how to get your washing machine working for you. Make it more efficient, get it running better while saving money AND the environment in the process. It’s a complete no-brainer!

Can anyone recommend a good plumber…

Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy launching MEGAHOUSES to flog the UK electronics this year

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The UK phone-shifter and the American technology super-chain will soon publish their plans for selling us lot in the UK cheap electronics.

Over 100 electronics warehouses will launch in the UK under the Best Buy brand, as the tech-seller pushes out of its homeland to crush the likes of Currys and Comet over here. The plan is thanks to Best Buy’s deal to buy half of Carphone Warehouse earlier this year to push its expansion in Europe…

VIDEO: Energy & Efficiency, Episode 2

Today, I’m looking at renewable energy sources, with this video review of a wind-up torch. Is it a good idea? Does it work? Is manual electricity generation a viable alternative to traditional plugs, bulbs and power leads? Let’s find out!

I apologise for the poor sound quality.

In summary, wind-up torches work, but require constant winding. There is an additional energy saving to be found…

There are different kinds of power cable! Including the Furutech Powerflux Power Cord which costs $1,800

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There is, we can exclusively reveal today, more than one kind of power cable in existence. Some power cables are better than other kinds of power cable. And the Furutech Powerflux Power Cord, which costs $1800, is presumably being pitched toward the high end of the power cable scale.

Here is why this cable is worth more money that a perfectly usable second-hand car…