ENERGY STAR

If you've been resisting cranking up the thermostat during the nippy days this season, try these clever ways to keep your house warm.

HOUSE OF THE WEEK | Renovation of a 1917 house makes it energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

If you are currently looking to make a major appliance purchase, hold off until Memorial Day Weekend. You will see even bigger discounts because it is also the Texas' Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday.

The annual sales tax holiday for Energy Star and WaterSense products is set for May 29-31, and state officials estimate the tax-free weekend will save buyers an estimated $13.4 million they otherwise would have paid in state and local sales tax. These qualifying items can be purchased tax-free for both private and business use. The sales tax holiday also applies to lawn and garden products that help conserve water outdoors. Items qualifying for the exemption include soaker or drip-irrigation hoses; moisture controls for sprinkler or irrigation systems; mulch; and plants, trees and grasses. These items can be purchased tax-free for residential use only.

Families and businesses can save on the purchase of certain water and energy-efficient products from May 29 through May 31.

(CNN) - A federal program recommends people keep their homes between 78 and 85 degrees, and the internet is freaking out. The guidelines come from Energy Star, a government-backed program to promote energy efficiency, and they've sparked a fiery debate on social media. The program suggests different settings to automate at various times: 78 degrees when you wake up, 85 degrees during the day and 82 degrees when you're sleeping. The US Department of Energy also encourages homeowners to keep their thermostats at 78 degrees when they're home. If it's too hot, it may interfere with your body's natural temperature cycles and leave you with a restless night's sleep.

It's the result of trying to stay cool inside as outside temperatures routinely stay in the triple digits. According to a new report by Energy Star, you may be setting your central air conditioning too low and costing yourself money each month. The Department of Energy says that for each degree you raise your thermostat, you will save about 3% on your utility bill. So what do you set the temperature inside your home? According to the Energy Star report, if your thermostat is ever set lower than 78 degrees, you're doing it wrong.