(ARA) - From energy efficient lighting to energy-saving appliances, today's homeowners are living in a new era when it comes to maintaining their homes. Now more than ever, diminishing energy supplies are taking a toll on the nation's power grid, pushing gas and electric bills to all-time highs and forcing new energy regulations.

Understanding these changes and updating your home to comply may seem overwhelming and confusing at times, but starting small can result in time and energy savings that not only benefit you but have a positive impact on the environment too. To keep you out of the dark, the experts at Kichler Lighting suggest starting with your lighting.

"Research has found that if every U.S. household replaced their five most frequently used light fixtures or light bulbs with an Energy Star, energy efficient bulb, we'd collectively prevent enough pollution to equal removing eight million cars from the road," said Jeff Dross, Kichler's product manager for energy efficient lighting. "Because fluorescent bulbs use less energy and last longer than their incandescent counterparts, you save yourself time and money too, and with the advances in fluorescent lighting, your home's aesthetics won't suffer."

Whether you live in an area where energy efficient lighting is mandated, or are just concerned with growing bills, Kichler offers more than 100 energy efficient, fluorescent products to meet your needs, and no longer does fluorescent lighting mean big, flickering fixtures that create an unflattering environment. Today's energy efficient products use bulbs in the same color range as their incandescent counterparts, so you can't tell the difference between the two. Plus, Kichler's decorative energy efficient fixtures come in a wide variety of finishes and designs for every area of the home, so complementing existing home décor is easier than ever.

In a comprehensive energy efficient catalog, Kichler offers solutions for every room inside and outside the home and helps you understand the ins and outs of fluorescent lighting with helpful charts and consumer-friendly descriptions.

The company suggests keeping the following in mind when considering energy efficient lighting:

* Potential Cost Savings: Over time, energy efficient lighting will result in extra money in your wallet. You can calculate your potential savings based on how much electricity (watts) a bulb uses.

For example, if you compare the costs to light one 60W incandescent bulb for four hours a day all year against the costs for using a fluorescent bulb of the same quality for the same length of time, your costs savings would be $5.70 per year for every bulb used in your home. Just think of how many light bulbs you use each day and the total amount of money you'll save!

* Longer Shelf Life: High-efficiency fluorescent bulbs last longer -- 10,000 hours compared with 750 hours for a typical incandescent bulb. That means you would have to buy 13 incandescent bulbs to equal the service life of a single florescent bulb.

* Changing Regulations: In some parts of the country, the government is regulating lighting in all new or renovated homes. To comply with revised codes, builders and homeowners must use florescent, energy efficient lighting. This is a trend that could sweep across other areas of the country over time.

* Energy Efficient/Energy Star Logos: Ask your local lighting showroom for help when looking for energy efficient lighting, or look for the Energy Star logo. Energy Star is a government/industry partnership designed to protect the environment. In 2004, Energy Star products saved consumers more than $10 billion. Most Kichler energy efficient products contain this distinction.

Making your home energy-friendly doesn't have to be stressful. Starting with a simple change in lighting can save you time and money and put a fresh spin on your home décor. If you still have questions, Kichler's energy efficient catalog is available free of charge at showrooms across the country, and a knowledgeable sales force is ready to answer any questions you may have.

For more bright ideas on lighting or to find a Kichler showroom near you, visit www.kichler.com or call (888) 659-8809.