LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Natural resources like the wind and the sun have been incorporated into the state’s energy policy, but beyond that, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission or PUC is holding utility companies responsible for helping residents to save energy.

Ed Arellano teaches his kids what they can do to cut down on electricity use in the home, like using energy-efficient light bulbs.

He hopes homeowners are aware they save money.

“If you purchase this light bulb it's going to save you x amount of dollars,” said Arellano.

Member of The PUC said it saves money and energy and you could get rebates for buying them.

“They produce the same amount of life using only 25 percent electricity so you save 75 percent of your electricity by using those,” said Jason Marks, the chairman of the PUC.

Lawmakers are using new energy laws to get 10 percent more efficiency by 2020.

Marks said this helps in an area where air conditioners put a lot of stress on power grids.

“We live in the desert southwest. It's going to be hot and we have to grow to accept that as much as we can,” said Arellano.

Utility companies will be given incentives to provide energy-saving programs, which will be passed down. For example: switching old swamp coolers and air conditioners for ones that run more efficiently.

“They'll pay for most of the cost difference between a less efficient and more efficient air conditioning unit and that includes both the evaporative swamp coolers and refrigerated air,” said Marks.

The utilities are also working out programs to give contractors to provide better home insulation, and sealing of air conditioning ducts.

Marks said even without the incentives or rebates, homeowners can save a lot by making a few changes in their home. Arellano said there is another incentive, “When you become a parent you think about how you're going to leave the world to your kids, so that’s a drive to do that.”

Homeowner could see a surcharge of about 40 cents on their monthly bills to help the utility companies recover the costs of offering incentives and rebates.