Thermostat settings by state
Thermostat settings in Texas
By Ismail Farooq · Updated 2026-10-30
How most homes heat: Central AC everywhere, with heat pumps or gas furnaces for heat.
Texas is cooling first, but its climates differ: Houston is hot and humid, El Paso hot and dry, and the Panhandle around Amarillo has real winters. Most homes have central AC, and summer electricity use peaks in the late afternoon.
Many Texas electricity plans and utilities pay for enrolling a smart thermostat in demand response, which raises the setpoint a few degrees during grid peaks. Pre-cooling the house in the early afternoon makes those periods more comfortable. Winter storms, like the one in 2021, are a reminder to keep the away temperature high enough to protect pipes.
Climate zones in Texas
| Place | IECC zone |
|---|---|
| Houston | 2A |
| San Antonio | 2A |
| Austin | 2A |
| Dallas | 3A |
| El Paso | 3B |
| Amarillo | 4B |
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%.
- 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 Texas
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | About 40 °F. Aux heat should almost never be needed. | Rarely needed |
| 3 | 35–40 °F | Around 25–35 °F, by gas vs electricity price |
| 4 | 30–35 °F | Around 25–35 °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.