ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Qualifying for the ENERGY STAR is open to any and all manufacturers that wish to comply with ENERGY STARS' strict code of requirements.

Today we were looking at light fixtures, and a couple of the available selections were ENERGY STAR certified- even the rep from the builder wasn't exactly sure what that meant, or how they were different, except that they are more efficient. On lighting alone (and we're talking about fixtures, here, not bulbs) ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light but uses about 75% less energy than standard lighting, produces 75 percent less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer.

To save the most energy and money, replace your highest used fixtures or the light bulbs in them with energy-efficient models. The five highest use fixtures in a home are typically the kitchen ceiling lights, the living or family room table and floor lamps, and outdoor porch or post lamp.

Try changing out the light fixtures or bulbs at home that you use most with ENERGY STAR qualified models. If every American home replaced their 5 most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs, and together we would prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars.

Many of today’s household items are ENERGY STAR qualified: TVs, refrigerators, freezers, computer monitors and power supplies, VCRs, DVD players, CFLs, light fixtures, ceiling fans, AC units and many, many more. For more detailed information, go to www.energystar.gov.

The little things we do really can add up to a big difference, both to the environment, and to your own bottom line. The next time you have an appliance, a  light, or a bulb that needs changing, try switching it out with an ENERGY STAR certified appliance or fixture. I'm pretty sure you (and the earth) will be glad you did.