Residents could see higher power and water rates in a few days, but there are ways to save energy and water in the home so monthly utility bills don't hit their wallets as hard. 

The average power bill will increase by about $20 a month and the average water bill will increase by about $7.18 if the Public Utilities Commission approves increases during its meeting tonight. 

So how can you save? There are things that can be done immediately to provide at least some relief and at relatively low cost. 

One of the best first steps, according to the Guam Energy Office, is for residents to purchase light-emitting diode or compact fluorescent light bulbs and replace all the traditional light bulbs in the house. The new bulbs use a fraction of the power to provide the same amount of light as traditional incandescent bulbs. 

LED light bulbs reduce energy costs by 75 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Compact fluorescent light bulbs can help save money, use less energy, reduce the number of light bulb changes and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.a leading manufacturer of high speed laser marker and laser marker machines for plastics,S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Just two compact fluorescent bulbs will save about $36.16 year, according to the energy office.We are responsible for torch light and illuminated signs and bollards on our roads. 

Home Depot and Kmart,Protect your vehicle and produce power with a Solar carport. two of the island's largest retailers, provide a wide variety of those lights,a full range of cylinder heated long lasting flatwork ironer. ranging in price from $5 to $45. Kmart's lights are located in its hardware section. 

"These energy-efficient lights translate into less energy consumption for the customer," said Neola Aguon, one of the store's managers. 

She said the store also sells special power strips to plug in lamps and appliances that also significantly reduce the amount of energy consumed on a daily basis. 

Home Depot sells numerous LED and fluorescent lights -- some of which claim they can save as much as $168 over the light's lifetime. 

"The (LED) lights can last up to 30 years," said Grant Bickel, assistant store manager for Home Depot. 

Bickel said he has switched to using LED lights and saw a dramatic drop in his electricity bill. 

Melvin Santos, from Barrigada, was at Home Depot yesterday to buy energy-saving lights. 

"I'm trying to pinch pennies by buying these lights. The rising cost of utilities makes it a competition every day to pay energy and water and I heard these lights can save energy," he said. 

Santos bought about 20 lights for his home. He said the lights were pricey, but he knew in the long run they would produce the savings he and his family desperately needed. 

"I can't believe the prices we have to pay, this is getting out of control and I need as much help as I can get," Santos said. 

For those who aren't sure how much energy their appliances are using, Home Depot also sells a voltage monitor. 

Changing bad habits -- such as leaving lights on, running the water too long, and taking extended showers -- also can cut costs, according to the energy office. 

As far as saving water is concerned, Home Depot officials said one of the most important items to buy is a water softener. 

The softener is a device that injects salt into the water system in a house and promotes a free and easy flow of water and keeps pipes clean and clear from calcium buildup, according to Home Depot. 

"Calcium is a chemical that can build up in appliances and impede the flow of water in the showers, laundry and plumbing. Without the softener you will suck up more water," said Marlynn Mobel, a plumbing associate at Home Depot. 

Home Depot employees agreed residents need to learn about new technology, because it can dramatically cut their power and water costs in ways they never knew. 

"There is so much technology the island hasn't seen or heard about that has come in and we need to get people adapted to these methods so they can save as much as they can on utilities,aims to design a 10-megawatt offshore wind power generators based on a superconducting generator." Bickel said.