Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in Iowa
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Natural gas furnaces in most homes; propane is common on farms and in small towns.
Iowa has very cold winters and hot, humid summers, with wide swings in between. Furnaces work hard in January, and a furnace that short-cycles in very cold weather may have its thermostat set to the wrong heat stage; two-stage furnaces need both W1 and W2 connected.
Propane homes benefit most from a smart thermostat’s scheduling and from a dual-fuel heat pump. In northern Iowa (zone 6A), set a freeze-safe away temperature if you leave the house for winter trips.
Climate zones in Iowa
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5A |
| Cedar Rapids | 5A |
| Davenport | 5A |
| Mason City | 6A |
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.
- Cold, damp winters: if you have a humidifier, let the thermostat lower its target as it gets colder outside so windows don’t drip.
Heat pump lockouts for Iowa
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 25–35 °F for a standard heat pump; lower for a cold-climate model | Around 20–35 °F |
| 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.