Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in Alaska
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Natural gas furnaces and boilers around Anchorage; heating oil boilers and furnaces, wood and direct-vent heaters elsewhere.
Alaska is the only state with zone 8, and heating runs most of the year. Hot water (hydronic) boilers with baseboard or in-floor loops are common, especially away from Anchorage’s gas network, and many have two-wire thermostats with no C wire. See smart thermostats on a boiler before buying one that needs constant power.
The biggest risk with a smart thermostat here is freezing. Set the minimum or away temperature to at least about 55 °F, and don’t rely on Wi-Fi alone in a cabin or second home: a separate freeze alarm is worth having. Cold-climate heat pumps are spreading in Southeast Alaska, where winters are milder and wetter.
Climate zones in Alaska
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Juneau | 7 |
| Anchorage | 7 |
| Fairbanks | 8 |
Zones follow county lines on the 2021 IECC map, and some counties changed zone between code editions. DOE’s Building America climate zone map lists every county.
Starting settings
- Everyday setpoints: about 68 °F in winter and 78 °F in summer while you’re home, set back while you sleep or are out (DOE’s guidance).
- Gas, oil or propane furnace or boiler: setbacks of 7 to 10 °F are fine; use the thermostat’s early-start feature so the house is warm on time.
- Heat pump: keep winter setbacks small (2 to 4 °F) so a cold morning doesn’t bring on aux heat.
- Freeze protection: keep the away or minimum temperature at about 55 °F or higher in winter, and make sure the thermostat keeps working without Wi-Fi.
Heat pump lockouts for Alaska
If you have a heat pump, these are starting points for the outdoor temperatures that control backup heat. Your installer’s balance point is better if you have it.
| Zone | Aux heat lockout (electric strips) | Compressor lockout (dual fuel) |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 | From the heat pump’s rated output at low temperatures; cold-climate models often run well below 10 °F | Often 0–25 °F, from the installer’s balance point |
Rebates
Many utilities give rebates or bill credits for smart thermostats, sometimes in return for joining a peak-day program. Programs change often, so check your electric and gas utility’s website, or search by ZIP code in the ENERGY STAR rebate finder.