Q. How many incandescent light bulbs would each American household need to change to save $600 million in energy costs?

A. Just one.

But to the Environmental Protection Agency, energy savings is no joke.

The EPA hopes to get Americans to replace their old bulbs with ones that carry an Energy Star rating.

The Energy Star program helps consumers identify energy-efficient appliances and products, available in more than 40 categories. The level of savings may come as a surprise to some.

For example, if every U.S. household replaced one bulb with one that’s a compact fluorescent, the country would save $600 million on power bills, enough energy to light 7 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 million cars, according to the EPA.

Local consumers seem to be buying the strategy.

Dolores and Richard Deuster now use the compact spiral bulbs in lamps in their Bonduel home.

The different fluorescent light “takes some getting used to, but the energy savings is a no-brainer,” said Richard Deuster.

Green Bay-based Wisconsin Public Service, which provides power to much of Northeastern Wisconsin, predicts natural gas prices will climb about 20 percent this winter. The utility also asked for a 17 percent increase in its electric rate next year, due in part to higher natural gas prices.

--more on efficient appliances and light bulbs--

Throw in some incentives for buying compact flourescent bulbs, and watch the light bulbs go on over the heads of consumers.