Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in Minnesota
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Natural gas furnaces in most homes; propane and electric in rural areas, with some boilers in older houses.
Minnesota is one of the coldest states in the lower 48. Furnaces run hard for months, and most are high-efficiency condensing models. A smart thermostat’s early-start feature lets you set back overnight and still wake up warm.
Very cold, dry air means humidifier settings matter: the thermostat should lower the target humidity as it gets colder outside, or windows will frost and drip. Heat pumps installed here are usually cold-climate models or dual fuel with a furnace; set lockouts from the installer’s balance point, not the defaults.
Climate zones in Minnesota
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 6A |
| St. Paul | 6A |
| Rochester | 6A |
| Duluth | 7 |
| International Falls | 7 |
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 Minnesota
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.