Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in South Dakota
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Natural gas furnaces in cities; propane and electric in rural areas.
South Dakota has cold, windy winters and hot summers, with drier air in the west around Rapid City. Gas furnaces are common in towns and propane in the country, where a dual-fuel heat pump can cut costs.
Blizzards can cut power and road access. Make sure the thermostat keeps working on its own without Wi-Fi, and keep the away temperature high enough to protect pipes.
Climate zones in South Dakota
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 6A |
| Aberdeen | 6A |
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.
- 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 South 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 25–35 °F for a standard heat pump; lower for a cold-climate model | Around 20–35 °F |
| 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.