Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in North Carolina
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Electric heat pumps in most homes; gas furnaces in some cities and mountain areas.
North Carolina is heat pump country. Winters are mild enough for a heat pump to handle most days, and summers are humid. Aux heat is the setting to get right: small setbacks, smart recovery, and a lockout around 30–35 °F keep the electric strips off most of the winter.
The mountains around Boone are much colder (zone 5A) and many homes there use gas or propane with a heat pump. On the coast, humidity control in summer is the bigger issue.
Climate zones in North Carolina
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | 3A |
| Charlotte | 3A |
| Greensboro | 4A |
| Asheville | 4A |
| Boone | 5A |
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.
- Humid summers: use fan Auto, not On, and turn on the thermostat’s dehumidify or overcool setting if the house feels damp. Keep indoor humidity under about 60%.
- 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 North Carolina
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.