Before undertaking any home renovation, set a budget and plan the work. You don’t have to undertake a full renovation right away, you could work on a room by room basis to make it feel less overwhelming.

If the budget stretches to it, employing an architect or interior designer can really help. They will have ideas and suggestions that you may not have thought of and will usually have trade contacts that can ultimately save you on the overall cost of your renovation project.

Getting a layout that works for the way you live is the most important goal when you undertake a home renovation.

This does not always mean extending. Sometimes moving a door, wall or window can open up a space to be more useful for you.

Or you could consider repurposing a room. For instance if you have a playroom space and the kids are all grown up, how about turning it into a study, pantry or utility room? An underused bedroom could become a walk in wardrobe, freeing up space in your main bedroom to make it feel more restful. Or a garage could be converted to house a new shower room and downstairs bedroom. The possibilities really are endless.

From improving insulation to installing a more energy efficient boiler, retrofitting your home is one of the best ways to save money and increase the value.

When we renovated our home our builder wanted us to put in an oil fired central heating system. Having lived for many years in the UK we were more used to gas and insisted that this is what we wanted.

We are delighted with the results. We can not only heat our home efficiently but we also use gas for cooking too. Despite living in the city centre, we are not on a gas mains, so we had a Calor bulk gas tank installed. Best of all, they monitor our usage and re-fill automatically when it’s getting low. I really couldn’t imagine switching to anything else now.

We also installed solar panels and from May to October we get enough hot water for 2 adults and 2 kids.

Even if you currently have an oil fired central heating system, by simply changing your boiler and tank, you can easily move to gas. And Calor are currently offering new gas central heating customers a FREE boiler and Smart Energy Monitor when they move. (T&C’s apply)

Unless you have purchased your home from new, and even then if you have been living in it for awhile, undertaking a renovation gives you the opportunity to put your own stamp on it.

From a simple decoration job to updating kitchens and bathrooms, you can inject your personality into your home. The most cost efficient way is to change soft furnishings such as rugs, curtains, blinds or lighting. Also changing or getting a company in to deep clean carpets or sanding floors and revarnishing them will all make a huge difference to the look and feel of a space.

Changing the colour on walls, doors, skirting boards and ceilings will give your home a fresh new look. Wallpaper is also making a comeback and can be a great solution to add colour and texture to truly transform a space quickly.

Look for clever ways to increase natural light when doing a renovation. Updating windows and doors or making openings bigger or adding roof lights are all great ways to improve natural light coming into your home.

Adding mirrors and using reflective colours on walls can work too. Or removing curtains and adding blinds that are hung above the window or door opening can help get more light into a space.

Consider adding glass doors into your garden where you currently only have a window. This can help bring the outside in.

If you have space, adding a patio with the option to add an awning will increase the likelihood of you using the garden in autumn and spring when the weather may not always be great. Invest in a flame tower or a gas patio heater and your garden can be another room all year round.

When we renovated our home, the best part of the whole process, apart from getting a lovely home at the end of it, was that it made me declutter!

We all have items in our homes that we no longer need. Tackle decluttering room by room and have different plies for donations, sell, keep and bin! Be ruthless, if you haven’t used something for 12 months the chances are you don’t need to keep it! Also think if it will go in your new space, if not it may be time to donate or sell.

If you are going to sell items, take good photos and post them on reputable websites. If you have a lot of stuff to sell, set up an email account to use for this purpose. Price everything fairly and state whether items need to be collected or if you are willing to mail or deliver.

Everything from mattresses to toys and games, soft furnishings, kitchens, bathrooms and furniture are traded online and not only are you getting paid for your unwanted items, but you are giving them a new lease of life.

Set a budget at the outset and stick to it. As well as considering how much you can afford, look at the ceiling price of similar homes in the area and don’t exceed that value.

The cost of renovating your home can vary wildly. Make sure to get at least 3 quotes for every job you want done. Read the small print to ensure you are comparing like for like.

Once you are satisfied that you have the right person for the job, put a contract in place and keep a tight reign on the budget.

Even a simple renovation can add considerable value to your home. But ultimately the aim is to make your home to best it can be for you and your family to enjoy.

Why is it so important? Energy efficiency in a home context refers to the effective use of energy to perform various tasks, from heating and cooling to powering appliances. The benefits are substantial. According to the US Department of Energy, efficiency upgrades can result in savings of up to 30% on energy bills.

Furthermore, additional studies reveal that energy-efficient homes have a smaller carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability. So let’s look at how to make your house more energy efficient, what it will cost you, and the expected results.

The first step towards energy efficiency is conducting a home energy audit. This involves a comprehensive assessment of energy consumption and potential improvements.

Homeowners can either hire a professional or conduct a simple audit themselves, checking for drafts, inspecting insulation, and identifying energy-guzzling appliances.

However, window replacement Winnipeg experts say that if homeowners plan to apply for government incentives when renovating their houses, the energy audit can only be made by a professional assessor who will check your home’s overall thermal performance and suggest the most efficient home improvements.

Proper insulation is crucial for maintaining a home’s temperature and reducing energy consumption. Energy Star, a program run by the US and Canadian governments, reports that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by properly sealing their homes and adding insulation.

There are several popular DIY methods for improving home insulation that experts recommend if you want to boost energy efficiency while on a tight budget:

• Sealing Cracks and Gaps: Small cracks and gaps can be a significant source of heat loss. Homeowners can use caulk to seal gaps in the stationary components of their homes and weatherstripping for the moving parts, like doors and operable windows.
• Installing Window Insulation Film: Window insulation film is a plastic film which can be applied to glass windows to reduce heat transfer. It’s a cost-effective way to improve the insulating properties of windows, especially for those who can’t afford double-glazing.
• Adding Insulation to the Attic: The attic is often the biggest source of heat loss in a home. Adding insulation to the attic can be a relatively straightforward DIY project that can significantly impact a home’s energy efficiency. Several types of insulation are suitable for attics, including blanket insulation (batts and rolls) and loose-fill insulation.
• Using Door Draft Stoppers: A draft stopper is a simple and cost-effective way to prevent drafts from entering under doors. They can be easily made at home with common household materials.
• Insulating Water Heater Tanks: Insulating your hot water tank is an easy and inexpensive way to improve energy efficiency and save on water heating costs. Insulation blankets are available for this purpose.

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Windows and doors significantly impact a home’s energy efficiency. Energy-efficient models can reduce heat loss in winter and keep homes cooler in summer. Many homes in North America are still equipped with single-pane windows, resulting in energy loss of around 30% and high energy bills.

New triple pane windows offer a lot better insulation and thermal performance, being up to 55% more energy efficient than regular units. Even though window and door replacements can be considered a major home renovation project, it is one of the best renovations to boost your house’s energy efficiency while retaining an ROI of ~70%.

When choosing new windows and doors, make sure to consider factors like energy ratings (minimum 34), local climate, and the window’s orientation. Moreover, install only Energy-Star-rated models after consultation with your local replacement experts to decide on the best fitting units.

Appliances and lighting are significant contributors to a home’s energy use. According to statistics, they can account for up to 25% of a home’s energy consumption. Therefore, focusing on these areas can lead to substantial energy savings.

When it comes to appliances, it’s essential to consider their energy efficiency when purchasing new ones. Energy Star-certified products, for instance, use less energy than their non-certified counterparts. They might cost more upfront, but the energy savings over their lifetime often make up for the initial cost. These appliances range from refrigerators and dishwashers to air conditioners and water heaters.

Furthermore, regular maintenance of appliances can also improve their efficiency. For example, cleaning the coils of a refrigerator can help it operate more efficiently. Similarly, emptying the lint filter in a dryer after every use can improve its efficiency and safety.

Lighting is another area where energy efficiency can be improved. Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume a lot of energy and need to be replaced more often than their energy-efficient alternatives. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, and halogen incandescent bulbs use 25-80% less electricity and last three to 25 times longer.

Moreover, considering natural light can also contribute to energy savings. By strategically using window coverings to allow or block out sunlight, homeowners can reduce the need for artificial lighting and heating or cooling.

Adopting energy-saving habits is vital in improving a home’s energy efficiency. These habits don’t require a significant investment but can lead to substantial energy savings.

One of the simplest habits is turning off lights when leaving a room. According to the International Energy Agency, if everyone in the world diligently turned off lights when not in use, the world could see a 1.4% reduction in total energy consumption.

Using energy-saving modes on appliances is another easy habit. Many appliances have energy-saving features that reduce energy consumption when the appliance is not in use or when it’s operating at less than full capacity.

Washing clothes in cold water can also save energy. As per statistics, almost 90% of the energy consumed by a washing machine goes to heating water. Switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads per week could save up to $37 per year.

Lastly, regular maintenance of heating and cooling systems can improve their efficiency. This includes replacing filters regularly and having the systems serviced by a professional annually.

Improving your home’s energy efficiency can seem like a daunting task. Still, by taking it one step at a time, homeowners can make significant improvements that benefit both their wallets and the planet.

No matter how small, every effort contributes to a more energy-efficient home and healthier environment.

With an estimated 2 million gardens in Ireland alone, making small changes will not only help benefit biodiversity but also time spent in nature is good for our well-being and mental health.

Author of the new guide, Juanita Browne wanted to inspire people to make small changes by creating simple guides to gardening with biodiversity in mind.

Juanita says, “Gardening for biodiversity doesn’t equate to letting your garden go wild, but doing things a little differently. For instance, when choosing plants to buy in a garden centre, perhaps you could choose plants that have insects on their flowers.”

“Or you could create a wildflower strip around your lawn where dandelions, daisies, clover and other wildflowers are allowed to grow. These small changes can bring huge benefits for biodiversity”.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say! We’re looking for parents to get involved and give their feedback on all aspects of family life.

The guide gives ideas for things that can be done easily to improve your garden for butterflies, bees, birds, bats and other wildlife. Many are very easy, for example,

• allowing some of the “gold star plants for biodiversity”, such as bramble, clover, ivy, willow, dandelion, to grow in a space in your garden
• leaving an “untidy” corner of your garden for nature
• letting roadside verges grow naturally rather than mowing them

These can all reap huge dividends for wildlife.

For the more adventurous, the book also has bigger projects to try, such as creating a hedgehog log pile, installing a pond or bog garden, and building a bird bath.

The booklet was produced by Laois County Council with the assistance of Local Authority Heritage Officers across Ireland, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Heritage Council. It was funded by the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage as part of an initiative to encourage projects under the National Biodiversity Plan,

The guide offers gardeners lots of options to help our biodiversity, with tasks suitable for a range of expertise from beginner to DIY enthusiast. Each project has instructions and step-by-step drawings by illustrator Barry Reynolds.

The free “Gardening for Biodiversity” guide is available to download here.

There’s also a free Biodiversity in your Garden Colouring Book available as a companion to the guide, which has child-friendly information on garden wildlife and colouring pages using Barry Reynolds’ fun illustrations.

Free hard copies may also be ordered from your Local Authority Heritage Office.

If you use gas for heating and/or cooking, and the energy bills you are receiving are making you wince at the costs, then you’ll be looking for ways to save on your gas bill.

Here are some top tips and simple suggestions for how to reduce gas bills.

Having your gas boiler serviced every year is a simple win because an annual service will make sure that your boiler is operating as efficiently as it can be.

Having a regular service can prevent soot from building up, enabling the boiler to run smoothly, reducing your gas consumption, as well as improving your carbon footprint.

If you are considering switching gas suppliers check and see if their switching package includes an annual gas boiler service for free. Or some suppliers even offer a new boiler as part of moving to them, so it’s worth shopping around.

Before you get started with this, look up what your current gas supplier plan costs you per kWh. This will be on your last bill. You will need to this to compare and look at other suppliers/discounts you could avail of.

Don’t automatically stay with the same provider, make sure to check every available supplier’s rates at least at the time when your contract is up (but sometimes worth checking well before end of contract too).

Never assume you are on the best rate with your own supplier. Remember it costs them money to acquire a new customer so don’t be afraid to ask them to match their new customer rates to keep you.

And even though it may cost a fee to break a contract before its end date, you should also calculate if it would be worth paying the fee if you would save more on a new supplier’s cheaper rates.

To check in on latest offers and rates, use a switcher website. Most switcher websites offer calculators so you can put in details of your home and usage and they will recommend the best rate.

Some also offer to talk to you to work out the best rate, and be aware too that you may well be on the best rate at the moment. But at least having done your research you know you can’t save any more in that case.

Top tip: keep a spreadsheet of your last 12 months bills – how much gas (and electricity) your household used each month in kwh – as this will help you work out more easily what your usage is likely to be across a year for switching.

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Make sure you only have the heating on when and where you really need it at that time of day.

While nobody wants to get up in a cold house (I’m remembering my childhood!) do you really need to heat upstairs when everybody is getting up getting dressed and heading downstairs anyway?

If you have heating zones on a timer, then only run upstairs heating before bedtime to avoid using extra gas if nobody is upstairs. If you don’t have a separated heating zone system in your house it could be worth putting that in, we did this a few years ago and got a grant towards it as well.

Check your timer settings and see when you think you really need it on, to reduce the time the heat is on unnecessarily.

And turn off any heating in unoccupied rooms as well – no point heating them if you are not using them!

Most home gas consumption (80% or so) is heating, and in particularly during colder months. So a really simple way to reduce your gas bills is to look at your thermostat.

Try turning it down by one degree to start with. Turning your heating down by just one degree has been estimated to cut your gas consumption by 7%. So if you can go lower and still be comfortable, then go further if you can. Your home should still be comfortable even at 19C.

It may be tempting to go for prepay gas supply as it can help control your usage and eliminate bills, however you should be aware that you may be paying a premium. You will need to check the tariffs to see what you are paying vs bill pay.

Opting for Bill Pay, Online Billing and Direct Debit can all save you money on your gas bills.

Again knowing what kWh rate you are on currently, what your usage is and what discounts you would get by switching to these options is going to make it easier to decide.

If you don’t submit regular meter readings, then your gas company will estimate your usage and you could end up with higher bills.

Always submit when requested and interim reads are good to submit too. Sign up for their alerts by SMS and email to remind you to do your meter reads.

(If you have a smart meter then you don’t need to do this).

If you use gas for cooking, then think about ways to reduce gas use there:

• Instead of your gas oven, consider using your microwave or air fryer. Veggies will steam more quickly and efficiently and your air fryer will cook more efficiently than hob or oven frying.
• Slow cookers can be really efficient compared to using ovens, so if you have one press it into action.
• Always match your pan size to your burner size on the hob
• Cover your food when it’s cooking to keep heat in
• Try to do one pan cooking where possible, e.g. this one pot pasta recipe or making a dinner casserole in one dish or a tray bake chicken type recipe where you throw all the ingredients in and only use one source of cooking heat.

About 20% of your gas bill will go towards heating water. Be mindful of when and how you use hot water. For example, showers rather than baths help to use less hot water.

If you have a hot water timer, be canny with how long you have your hot water set to switch on for, and turn the boiler off unless hot water is needed.

While a new boiler can be expensive, they are also a good investment if your boiler is over 12-15 years old, you could end up cutting your bills by a lot.

New A-rated boilers (any boiler with over 90% efficiency) can give you significantly more heat for your money compared to older boilers. And replacing your boiler is also more eco-friendly as a more efficient boiler will use less fuel to heat your house and reduce your carbon footprint.

It’s worth seeing if there are any government grants available to help at least part-fund this cost. Or if a new energy supplier is offering a free new boiler as part of switching to them.

Last but certainly not least, draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy and your gas bills. If you have unwanted gaps that are letting cold air in and warm air out, then it’s time to stop up the gaps. By doing this you may then be able to turn down your thermostat, as well as further saving money on your gas bill.

• Get the kids involved and go round the whole house and check for drafts.
• Seal any gaps in windows, doors, walls and floors. Many inexpensive solutions are available at your local DIY store.
• Hang thermal curtains & blinds if your windows or doorways currently are draughty.
• Close your curtains in the evening to keep the heat in.
• Draught excluders can sit along the gap at the bottom of doors, you can use old tights stuffed with old clothing if you don’t have the money to invest in buying new ones.
• Cover letterbox with draught proof flaps and your keyhole, you can get metal covers that screw to the outside of your keyhole and stop the wind coming in.
• Don’t forget about your loft entrance, if it’s letting cold air in, then insulating it may save a lot of heat escaping there.

When you’re short of time and you’re not mad-keen on cleaning then anything that helps save time is a life saver. Here are some clever tips and suggestions to really get the house looking magically clean!

To me, the oven is one of the worst cleaning jobs in my house. It’s always so gunky and hard to clean! And last time I used a commercial oven cleaner bought at the grocery store it took me two attempts and it still didn’t clean it completely.

So this oven cleaning hack from One Good Thing by Jillee blog is definitely one I’ll be trying next time! She uses ammonia, water and some baking soda to get the job done easily.

I love these bathroom cleaning tips from Marti at Sewlicioushomedecor.com which you can download and print from her website, just simply using white vinegar to clean different things in the bathroom.

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The toaster is one of those weird ones – it’s not something that gets obviously dirty, but actually needs a quick clean on a regular basis. This video gives you quick instructions on how to do it.

Another deadly household cleaning task is the toilet, and if you’re in a hard water area it can be especially difficult to keep your toilet pristine.

You’ll like this hack from Kristyn at Lil’ luna who gives straightforward instructions on deep cleaning your toilet with an easy method that will also be one you can use over and over.

For a straightforward way to clean your pillows this tip from Jessica at Hunker.com is a great one, and I also didn’t know you could make your own washing soda. I like the way she uses some lavender essential oil too.

This clever microwave cleaning hack from Becky at Cleanmama is so simple! All you need is lemons and water. Her blog is stuffed full of lots of tips and free printables so well worth a visit.

I have to admit I usually leave this one to the other half! But maybe I’ll give it a go next time with this deep cleaning guide that shows how to deal with each part of your gas BBQ.

To clean window blinds just use a sock! Dip the sock into a vinegar and water mixture and run your hands along the blinds. Easy!

When you see your shower head has built up limescale on it, this quick tip from A Real Life Housewife using vinegar again is so easy. Just hang a bag with vinegar around the shower head, and watch it transform itself to completely clean.

This is a great tip from Kim at Exquisitely Unremarkable to remove water stains from wood furniture. It’s unbelievably simple – she used a hot iron and a cloth!

When your iron is starting to look a bit gruesome and needs a clean, this quick hack using toothpaste, baking soda and vinegar to clean your iron’s metal plate is a winner.

As our bills continue to spike and household costs soar, understanding how we use our household appliances – and how much this costs us – is essential. Changing how, when and how often we use them could make a significant difference to the bills at the end of the month.

Of course, there are appliances we can’t simply unplug and use less, such as the fridge and freezer, but we can be more savvy with our usage and perhaps more economical with use of things like the dryer, hot water heating, and household electronics.

Forget plugging your phone in to charge overnight and instead just have leave it for the hour or two it actually needs and then unplug. Similarly, don’t leave the fridge or freezer door open for too long – grab what you need and close the door immediately. Teach your family not to ‘browse’. According to the SEAI, for every 10-20 seconds the door is open it takes 45 minutes for the fridge to cool down to its original temperature.

Download our cheat sheet to the cost of household appliances and electronics so you can keep track of where your biggest costs are, and hopefully make some cost-saving changes.

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With a little planning and awareness around which of your appliances cost the most to run, there are quite effective ways to reduce the use of household appliances and electronics. All it takes is a few simple changes to make sure your gadgets stay useful and not costly.

1. Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
2. Only boil as much water as you need, not a full kettle.
3. If the oven is on, use it to bake or cook multiple things at the same time. Meal planning will help with this – cook today and tomorrow’s dinner at the same time, then reheat portions in the microwave when needed.
4. Use your slow cooker more, it uses considerably less energy than the oven.
5. Use the microwave – it uses less energy than the oven as it heats only the food and not the whole internal space.
6. Use a tiered steamer to cook several items in one pot at the same time.
7. Turn down the washing machine – lower temperatures use less energy. Clothes that are not very soiled can be washed at 30c. According to Energy Saving Trust, washing machines, dishwashers and anything else that uses water are known as ‘wet appliances’. These appliances take the top spot in terms of how much energy they use, accounting for 16% of total energy bill costs. The power needed to heat the water that they use pushes up consumption, making them energy-hungry household appliances.
8. Skip the dryer. Use an indoor clothes airer or outdoor clothes line to dry clothes.
9. Don’t leave your water on all the time. Set your water timer to come on 30-60 minutes before it will be needed (e.g. morning showers, kids bath time, etc)
10. Have tiles or wooden floors? Consider sweeping up rather than vacuuming every time.
11. Turn the shower off and don’t waste hot water while you shampoo your hair, wash your body, etc.
12. Don’t leave the water running – obviously not an environmentally friendly choice at any time, but in particular with the hot water that you’re paying to heat.
13. Skip the hairdryer and towel dry your hair instead.
14. Turn devices off standby or unplug when not in use. Don’t forget about lamps, chargers, etc.
15. Don’t leave computers and laptops on standby or in ‘sleep’ mode; turn it off if not using it for more than an hour.

Whether your outdoor space extends to lush lawns, a patio, deck or balcony it can be quickly and easily transformed to create the perfect outdoor area for inviting friends and family round to enjoy a day or evening of entertainment.

With these tips and ideas on entertaining outdoors, we hope to inspire you to make the most of your outdoor space this summer and beyond.

Is there anything better than cooking outdoors on a warm summer afternoon or evening and enjoying relaxed time with family and friends? Get your BBQ fired up and enjoy some tasty treats from tangy citrus delights to potato boats and a delicious S’mores dip, the perfect way to round off your feast!

Be sure to grill safely with these top BBQ tips and some extra recipes.

For a break with tradition, a pizza party is not only great fun, but everyone can customise their toppings to get exactly what they want so there is no waste!

Best of all you can get perfect pizzas in 3 minutes with the portable Sahara tabletop pizza oven from Calor, or by adding a pizza stone to your BBQ, so you can even cook your creations outdoors too.

Prepare your dough in advance and set out a selection of pizza toppings for everyone to customise their own pizza, before baking to perfection and settling down to enjoy your Italian feast.

Evening get togethers are always enjoyable but often we don’t consider using our outdoor space for evening gatherings. You can easily extend your time outdoors by adding heat and light to your outdoor space.

Whether you are having drinks and nibbles or plan on serving a meal or takeaway, set the scene with solar powered, battery or plug in lights or lanterns to make your outdoor space look beautiful.

Be creative and think about where else you can include lights to showcase your plants, or create a canopy of lights by hanging them overhead.

To stay cosy, have throws and cushions available and check out the range of outdoor heaters from Calor. They really do have an option for all outdoor spaces with everything from tabletop and free standing patio heaters to flame towers, ensuring you and your guests stay cosy no matter what the weather.

And with their renewable 6kg and 11kg gas tanks, Calor have the perfect fit for your outdoors and are kinder to the planet too.

Once you have your heating and lighting set up, you can be creative with your evening entertainment.

We love hosting cinema nights in the garden with kids, grandparents and neighbours all invited round to watch a family movie under the stars. We have a small projector, which are easy to source from local electrical retailers or online, and we use the side of the house as our screen!

Add in cushions, bean bags or deck chairs, popcorn and treats and you are ready to go! It is a real treat on warm summer nights for kids and adults alike.

No good outdoor gathering would be complete without a round of s’mores! Fire up the BBQ or heater, hand out the skewers, biscuits, chocolates and marshmallows and you are ready to go. Or you could try this tasty s’mores dip.

For the pot luck element of your party, ask guests to bring along a ready prepared dish that everyone can tuck into before cooking your s’mores.

Add a theme to your outdoor get together to get everyone in the party mood!

Ask guests to arrive in outfits/costumes associated with the theme and prepare food, music, decorations and games to tie in with the theme. You’ll find loads of themed party ideas in our party section to get you started.

If you would prefer to keep it simple, have a dance party, all you need is some music and enthusiastic guests!

If you have the space, a homemade obstacle course is a great way to keep kids, teens and adults entertained.

For fun outdoor games that require no equipment or set up, check out how to play everything from Land, Sea, Air to Choose Your Corner!

For smaller spaces, or to simply keep the kids entertained, you could organise a scavenger hunt.

Finally how about an outdoor family board games night? Just make sure you invite the neighbours so the inevitable family arguments don’t keep them awake!

We hope these entertaining ideas inspire you to make the most of your outdoor area and to safely enjoy time with family and friends outdoors at home.

You will need a shallow bowl or jar, then add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. The flies are attracted to the vinegar and land on its surface, but the dishwashing liquid breaks the surface tension of the vinegar, and the fruit flies fall in and drown. Place your trap in the area where you’ve seen the fruit flies.

As with vinegar, fruit flies love the smell of wine (or beer). Leave out an open bottle with a little left over alcohol in the bottom. You can also add a few drops of washing up liquid to the wine. The thin neck will keep the flies trapped in the bottle.

Mash up some of your rotten fruit in a jar and cover the top with plastic wrap – poke some holes in the wrap which the flies will go into but find hard to come back out of.

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Place a small amount of vinegar and a chunk of very ripe fruit in a jar. Roll some paper into a cone and stick it into the jar, placing the narrow opening down. The smell of rotting fruit will help lure the fruit flies in, and the cone makes it difficult for them to get out. You can compost or recycle your homemade funnel afterwards.

Some people recommend Aunt Fannies FlyPunch, a non-toxic fruit fly killer that is safe near food, kids and pets. It is easy to set up, you just flip the top and it will start attracting flies. It lasts up to 30 days once opened. Available on Amazon.com.

Set a candle in a deep dish full of water with a few drops of washing up liquid. Light the candle and switch off the lights. The flies will either go into the flame or the liquid.

• Don’t keep ripe fruit out on the counter. Either freeze overripe fruit for breakfast smoothies or throw away.
• You can also keep your fruit and veg in the fridge.
• Wash your fruit and veg as soon as you get home from shopping to remove any potential eggs or larvae.
• Empty your rubbish and recycling bins, and scrub them out regularly. Take out your compostable items regularly.
• If you spill, especially fruit juice or alcohol, clean the spill straight away.
• Don’t keep damp kitchen towels or dishrags lying around after they’ve been used. Try to wash them every day, as they can be a breeding ground for fruit flies.
• Cleaning out the drain in your kitchen sink with some apple cider vinegar can help too, since fruit flies like to breed in the drain where bits of rotting fruit and vegetables often linger.
• Running a kitchen fan (if you have one) may also help keep fruit flies away.
• Basil plants may repel fruit flies. Place your basil plant near your fruit bowl or sprinkle some basil leaves directly on fruit. Fruit flies don’t like strong smells, so try soaking a sponge in lavender oil or placing cedar balls on your counter where you keep fruit.
• Mix several drops of citronella, cedarwood and cinnamon in an oil diffuser, this will not only repel fruit flies, but house flies as well.

Try making this all-natural homemade multi purpose cleaning spray, that also helps keep flies away.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 5-10 drops lemon essential oil

Method:

1. In a non-metal bowl, stir the baking soda into the water until it’s completely dissolved.
2. Add the vinegar, then stir constantly for 1 minute until the foaming subsides. Add the remaining ingredients in order.
3. Wait a few minutes, then stir again. Once the fizzing stops, transfer to a spray bottle.
4. Swirl gently before each use.

Remember, this is a conversation to have with the whole household – even little ones can learn to switch off the lights and close the door when they leave a room, or to be aware of switching off devices and unplugging as needed.

1. Only boil as much water as you need, not a full kettle.
2. Don’t leave the fridge or freezer door open for too long – grab what you need and close the door immediately. Teach kids not to ‘browse’. According to the SEAI, for every 10-20 seconds the door is open it takes 45 minutes for the fridge to cool down to its original temperature.
3. Keep space in your fridge to allow air to circulate.
4. Don’t put warm food into the fridge; leave it to cool fully before chilling.
5. Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
6. Use the microwave – it uses less energy than the oven as it heats only the food and not the whole internal space.
7. Defrost your freezer every six months to keep it working as efficiently as possible.
8. Thaw frozen food in the fridge overnight. Not only is it best practice for food safety, it will also help to keep the fridge cool.
9. Use the right size hob ring for your pan. The closer the fit, the less wasted energy and the easier it will be to maintain temperature.
10. Use lids on your saucepan to speed up heating and maintain temperature.
11. Keep your freezer full as it means less energy is needed to keep it cold. If your freezer is looking a little empty, fill water bottles about two-thirds full and freeze.
12. Batch cook as much as possible and freeze leftovers for another day.
13. If the oven is on, use it to bake or cook multiple things at the same time. Meal planning will help with this – cook today and tomorrow’s dinner at the same time, then reheat portions in the microwave when needed.
14. Leave the oven door once finished cooking and let the residual heat warm the kitchen.
15. Use a tiered steamer to cook several items in one pot at the same time.
16. Use your slow cooker more, it uses considerably less energy than the oven.

1. Turn down the washing machine – lower temperatures use less energy. Clothes that are not very soiled can be washed at 30c. According to Energy Saving Trust, washing machines, dishwashers and anything else that uses water are known as ‘wet appliances’. These appliances take the top spot in terms of how much energy they use, accounting for 16% of total energy bill costs. The power needed to heat the water that they use pushes up consumption, making them energy-hungry household appliances.
2. Avoid washing half loads. Only wash your clothes when you have a full load.
3. Skip the dryer. Use an indoor clothes airer or outdoor clothes line to dry clothes.
4. If using the dryer, use dryer balls to speed up drying time.
5. If using the dryer, keep light (e.g. t-shirts) and heavy items (e.g. towels, jeans) separate. Trying to dry them together will result in the dryer being on for longer.
6. Don’t dry clothes directly on the radiator as it will block the heat to the rest of the room. Instead, use a clothes airer.

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1. Check the temperature on your water boiler – the flow temperature controls the heat of the water to the taps and shower. This is often set too high; it should be set to 60c which will ensure water is at a high enough temperature to keep safe from bacteria multiplying.
2. Keep an eye on your thermostat – between 18 and 21c is ideal.
3. If you can, turn it down by one degree. According to SEAI, you can reduce your heating bill by 10% by lowering your room temperature by just one degree.
4. Don’t leave your water on all the time. Set your water timer to come on 30-60 minutes before it will be needed (e.g. morning showers, kids bath time, etc)
5. Don’t use your thermostat as an on/off switch. Set it to your desired temperature and then leave it.
6. Get your boiler serviced regularly to ensure it’s as efficient as possible.

1. Close doors when you leave a room to ensure residual heat stays inside.
2. Make sure curtains don’t cover your radiators so heat makes it into the room not out the window.
3. Bleed radiators to ensure they are at optimum output, so you don’t risk turning up the thermostat to compensate.
4. Make sure furniture (e.g. couch) isn’t right on top of the radiator or it will absorb the heat.
5. Turn down radiators in rooms that aren’t being used regularly.
6. If you have an unused chimney, consider blocking it up to prevent heat loss. There are both temporary and permanent options available.
7. Have tiles or wooden floors? Consider sweeping up rather than vacuuming every time.
8. Use draught excluders (or even rolled up towels) around doors and windows.
9. Use silicone sealant to fill gaps around doors and windows, as needed
10. Install a letter box draught excluder if you don’t already have one.
11. Open curtains in the morning and allow passive heat to warm the room during the day.
12. Close curtains just before it gets dark outside to keep the residual heat inside.
13. Many external doors can be a source of heat escaping. Consider a curtain over the front/back door to keep the heat in.
14. Put exterior lights on a timer or motion sensors to reduce the need for lights to be on all night.
15. Use thermal silver foil behind radiators, particularly those on external walls, as this will reflect the heat back into the room.

1. Choose showers over baths.
2. Shorten your showers. According to Energy Saving Trust, keeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £65 a year on their energy bills.
3. Turn the shower off and don’t waste hot water while you shampoo your hair, wash your body, etc.
4. Turn the pressure down on your shower; more pressure means more water, and that requires more heating.
5. Don’t leave the water running – obviously not an environmentally friendly choice at any time, but in particular with the hot water that you’re paying to heat.
6. Make sure your hot water cylinder is wrapped and insulated.

1. Turn lights off when you leave a room.
2. Turn devices off standby or unplug when not in use. Don’t forget about lamps, chargers, etc.
3. Wear layers to regular your body temperature.
4. Feeling cold? Make adding another layer or warmer socks your first choice, rather than turning on the heating.
5. Put a hot water bottle into your bed 30 minutes before bedtime.
6. Add blankets on top of bed covers; woollen or cellular blankets and layers of thin blankets hold heat well.
7. Leave a blanket over the arm of the couch for snuggling up in the evenings.
8. Unplug chargers once phones are fully charged – don’t leave them overnight as they often only need an hour or two to be fully charged.
9. Don’t leave computers and laptops on standby or in ‘sleep’ mode; turn it off if not using it for more than an hour.
10. Skip the hairdryer (one of the most energy-consuming appliances) and towel dry your hair instead.
11. If you receive an estimated bill, call your energy supplier with an accurate meter reading.
12. If you have a tariff that provides cheaper electricity at certain hours, consider waiting to put on a wash.
13. Opt for the eco setting on appliances (e.g. washing machine, dishwasher) – it’ll be cooler and/or take longer, but will use less energy.
14. Look after your appliances to keep them working their best – clean the filters, don’t overload the washing machine drum, descale as needed, etc.
15. Get the whole household involved – you can’t optimise savings and reduce energy consumption if everyone isn’t on board.

1. When replacing appliances and white goods, choose the most energy efficient models.
2. Install a smart meter.
3. Insulate your home – around doors, windows, walls and in particular the attic. If you have a loft hatch/door, it could be a source of heat loss that needs rectifying.
4. Replace halogen bulbs with energy-saving LED alternatives.
5. Opt for thermal lined curtains and blinds.
6. Investigate the possibility of solar panels and alternative energy sources.
7. Replace windows with double- or triple-glazed versions.
8. Install water timers that will limit water usage.
9. Install a more energy efficient boiler.
10. Investigate the smart devices that are available to help you have more control over your energy usage.
11. See if you are eligible for an home improvement/eco grants to help reduce your energy consumption.