There are a number of ways by which homeowners can make their properties more energy efficient, an expert has said.Tim Doherty, managing director of the National Self Build Renovation Centre in Swindon, noted that people who attempt kitchen renovations and other DIY tasks around the home can save money by implementing energy-saving measures themselves.Not only can you save money on labour by laying your own insulation, but you can also save money on your fuel bills in the long term, he said.Loft insulation can be an effective place to start, and can probably save you 300 if you lay it yourself. Its not the nicest of jobs, but it is worth it.His comments come as a new study from the University of Oxford calls into question how effective smart meters are in the battle for energy efficiency.In interior design news, meanwhile, decorator Candice Olson recently suggested in a column for the Evansville Courier Press that a stainless steel kitchen sink can add a touch of sparkle to the room.