How cool do you keep your thermostat? Federal recommendations say no lower than 78 degrees

AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) - Here in Texas, we depend on air conditioning to keep from melting during the sweltering summer months, but do you know that the "optimum" temperature is?

According to Consumer Reports, the Energy Star program has an answer...and it's probably way too hot for you.

The program, run by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, says the coolest you should keep your home is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

That's when you're home and awake, by the way.

Yeah. Oh, it gets worse.

When you're out of the house? 85 degrees.

While sleeping? 82 degrees.

Consumer Reports says you’ll save about 3 percent on your utility bill for every degree you raise the set temperature for your central air, but what being comfortable is worth to you is between you and your thermostat.