The outdoor lighting market has undergone a huge shift in the last several years. With home heating costs up, energy efficiency is once again a buzz word and a big selling point in both new and existing home designs. Home builders have been left scrambling trying to source outdoor lighting fixtures that are not only energy efficient but that also look great and satisfy home buyers.

There’s no doubt that lighting, especially outdoor lighting, can have a major impact on a home’s energy efficiency. A properly installed outdoor fixture outfitted with a low wattage bulb or energy efficient fluorescent bulb can help save a consumer big money over the life of their home.

To help you meet this new consumer demand, lighting manufacturers have been coming out with an increasing number of energy efficient outdoor designs. One popular style type to look at is ENERGY STAR® rated outdoor lighting. ENERGY STAR® is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. An ENERGY STAR® rated lighting fixture meets strict guidelines set by the EPA and the Department of Energy, assuring a high energy efficiency level.

However, an outdoor fixture need not be rated ENERGY STAR® in order to be highly efficient. Many new energy efficient traditional and contemporary outdoor lighting designs feature flicker free fluorescent bulbs that have a clean look and help save energy. It’s also a great idea to suggest to consumers that they add some sort of timer or automatic feature to their outdoor landscape lighting. Putting outdoor lights on a timer saves home owners the hassle of remembering to turn on and off their outdoor lighting, saves energy, and adds a great resale item to a home. You can learn more about energy efficient lighting and outdoor light fixtures at LampsPlus.com, America’s lighting superstore.

Content sponsored by LAMPS PLUS Professionals.