Thermostat settings by state

Thermostat settings in Rhode Island

By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30

How most homes heat: Natural gas and heating oil, often through boilers; heat pumps are growing.

Rhode Island has cold, damp winters and humid summers, moderated a little by the ocean. Many homes, especially Providence triple-deckers, use gas or oil boilers with radiators, and two-wire thermostats are common.

Rhode Island Energy’s efficiency programs have offered smart thermostat rebates and heat pump incentives. If you add a heat pump to a boiler home, set the boiler thermostat lower so the heat pump runs first.

Climate zones in Rhode Island

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.
• 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 Rhode Island

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.

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.