ENERGY costs! You may have noticed that paying for gas and electricity makes a big dent in your monthly budget.
You can reduce your energy costs by using energy more efficiently in your home.
Most of us are not used to thinking about how we use the energy that powers our homes. But simple changes to your daily habits can have a huge effect on the gas and electricity bills that are dropped promptly in your mailbox each month.
Follow these tips to save on energy costs without affecting your lifestyle:
Your home is an energy system
The key to making big savings on energy costs is to view your home as a living energy system. Each individual part of your home affects each other energy-wise. For example, if you open your windows and draw the curtains, you may not need to use a fan or air-conditioner to stay cool, or to turn on the lights during the day.
Making energy-saving improvements in your home can make it more comfortable, and also deliver long-term financial rewards.
Small changes equal big savings

It is easy to start saving energy right now without spending any money. The biggest long-term savings come from changing your energy habits, and being more energy-efficient around the home.
In addition to changing your daily energy habits, you can also install energy-efficient products and appliances around your home. These efficient products do not always cost more than inefficient ones, but use less energy, so are cheaper to maintain and run.
As you start to see savings, it is a good idea to re-invest this money in energy-saving products and appliances to reduce your energy consumption even further. The long-term savings will more than pay for the cost of purchasing and installing these measures.

Electrical Appliances
•    Any appliance with blinking coloured lights is costing you money. Stand-by appliances use energy, and cost money just by sitting there, and they cost more than you think.
•    Use energy-efficient light bulbs which use less energy, and last up to ten times longer than standard bulbs.
•    Turn off household appliances such as microwaves, TVs, videos, music systems, and computers when not in use, as they continue to use energy when they are left on standby.
Refrigeration
•    Do not leave the fridge door open, and try to avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge, as this increases the energy required to keep the contents cold.
•    Defrost your fridge frequently, and check the door seals.
•    Avoid putting your fridge next to heat-generating appliances such as an oven.
•    If possible, keep the freezer in a cool room or garage.
Washing Machines
•    Use a low temperature setting, and only wash full loads or use a half-load or economy programme.
•    Dry your clothes outside rather than using the tumble dryer.
Cooking
•    Use a pan which is the same size as the cooker ring to prevent heat loss.
•    Use a lid on pots and pans where possible, so the contents heat up faster and require less energy.
•    Consider using pressure cookers, steamers, and microwave ovens which use less energy.
Hot Water
•    When using a kettle, only boil as much water as you need.
Saving on energy use will save you money. It will also reduce your carbon footprint. This is because less fossil fuel will be used, and so less carbon dioxide will be released into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas, so using less energy helps to reduce climate change.

You can share ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email eit.epaguyana@gmail.com