Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in North Dakota
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Natural gas furnaces in cities; electric, propane and fuel oil in rural areas.
North Dakota has some of the coldest winters in the lower 48, with long stretches below 0 °F. Furnaces need to run reliably, and freeze protection matters more than savings. Deep setbacks still work with a gas furnace, but don’t let the house fall so far that it takes hours to recover.
Some rural electric cooperatives offer cheaper off-peak rates for electric heat on a separate meter, often with the utility controlling when it runs. Those systems have their own controls; check with your co-op before changing the thermostat.
Climate zones in North Dakota
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Fargo | 7 |
| Bismarck | 6A |
| Grand Forks | 7 |
| Minot | 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 North Dakota
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.