Consumer watch
Smart heating, DIY tips and budget buys are on Hayley Gilbert’s radar
Sound bite
Osborne & Little is a heavyweight in the world of fabrics and wallcoverings, and although its lavish patterns can chomp through an entire decorating budget in two short metres, the collaboration with Ruark Audio can give you a taste of the high life for £200. Only 1,000 of the R1 design have been made, and it comes with DAB, DAB+ and FM tuner with RDS, a built-in A2DP Bluetooth audio receiver and a USB charge port.
DOWN THE DRAIN?
• According to research by appliancesdirect.co.uk, one in three UK households with a water meter don’t feel the financial benefit • 83% admit to never using the eco or water efficient setting on their washing machine or dishwasher •To save water, turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, as a running tap wastes six litres of water per minute •Cut down the time spent in the shower by one minute every day and a family of four can save up to 180,000 litres per year