Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in Nevada
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Gas furnaces and heat pumps with central AC in Las Vegas; gas furnaces in Reno and the north.
Las Vegas summers are long and extremely hot, and cooling dominates energy use. Dry air means a higher setpoint, around 78–80 °F, still feels comfortable. NV Energy has run demand response programs that adjust enrolled smart thermostats on the hottest afternoons; pre-cooling before those periods helps.
Northern Nevada is a different climate: Reno sits at over 4,000 feet with cold winter nights, dry air and real heating needs.
Climate zones in Nevada
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 3B |
| Henderson | 3B |
| Reno | 5B |
| Carson City | 5B |
| Elko | 5B |
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.
- Dry air: a higher cooling setpoint still feels comfortable, and winter air gets very dry. A whole-house humidifier wired to the thermostat should aim for about 30–40%, lower in very cold weather.
Heat pump lockouts for Nevada
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 35–40 °F | Around 25–35 °F, by gas vs electricity price |
| 5 | 25–35 °F for a standard heat pump; lower for a cold-climate model | Around 20–35 °F |
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.