Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in New Mexico
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Natural gas furnaces in most homes; evaporative (swamp) coolers are common for summer.
New Mexico is high, dry and sunny, with cold nights even in summer. Many homes cool with evaporative coolers, which most smart thermostats can’t control directly; they need a cooler-specific thermostat or controller.
Where there is refrigerated AC, the dry air means a higher setpoint feels comfortable. Winter heating with gas furnaces handles deep setbacks well, and sunny afternoons can warm south-facing rooms enough to turn the heat off.
Climate zones in New Mexico
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Las Cruces | 3B |
| Albuquerque | 4B |
| Roswell | 3B |
| Santa Fe | 5B |
| Taos | 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 New Mexico
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 |
| 4 | 30–35 °F | Around 25–35 °F |
| 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.