Vermont climate zones and HVAC design temperatures
All of Vermont is in IECC climate zone 6A (cold, humid). In Burlington, heating and cooling equipment is sized for 87°F in summer and 0°F in winter.
Design temperatures for major cities
| City | Zone | Summer 1% | Winter 99% | Water in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 6A | 87°F | 0°F | 51°F |
| Rutland | 6A | 84°F | 0°F | 49°F |
| Montpelier | 6A | 83°F | -3°F | 47°F |
| Brattleboro | 6A | 87°F | 2°F | 50°F |
| St. Johnsbury | 6A | 84°F | -4°F | 48°F |
Summer: exceeded in 1% of hours. Winter: colder in only 1% of hours. Water in: estimated groundwater temperature for tankless water heater sizing. Computed for each county from NOAA hourly weather data, 2015-2024; see where our numbers come from. Hottest summer design in the state: 88°F (Windsor County); coldest winter design: -6°F (Lamoille County).
Typical equipment sizes in Burlington
One-story house with average insulation (R-13 walls, R-30 attic, double-pane windows), at Burlington's design temperatures. Your house can need more or less; use the calculators for yours.
| House | Central AC | Gas furnace (95% AFUE) | Heat pump |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | 2 tons | 40,000 BTU | 2 tons + 8 kW backup |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2.5 tons | 60,000 BTU | 2.5 tons + 10 kW backup |
| 2,500 sq ft | 3 tons | 60,000 BTU | 3.5 tons + 15 kW backup |
AC size calculator Furnace size calculator Heat pump size calculator
Climate zone by county
From the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), as published by the U.S. Department of Energy. The zone sets the insulation and window requirements in the energy code; the number runs from 1 (hottest) to 8 (coldest), and the letter is A for moist, B for dry and C for marine.
Zone 6A: cold, humid (14 counties, 100% of people)
| County | Summer 1% | Winter 99% |
|---|---|---|
| Addison County | 87°F | 0°F |
| Bennington County | 85°F | 3°F |
| Caledonia County | 84°F | -4°F |
| Chittenden County | 87°F | 0°F |
| Essex County | 82°F | -4°F |
| Franklin County | 86°F | -5°F |
| Grand Isle County | 84°F | -1°F |
| Lamoille County | 84°F | -6°F |
| Orange County | 83°F | -3°F |
| Orleans County | 82°F | -6°F |
| Rutland County | 84°F | 0°F |
| Washington County | 83°F | -3°F |
| Windham County | 87°F | 2°F |
| Windsor County | 88°F | -1°F |
Climate data as of 2026-10. Design temperatures may differ by a few degrees from the ACCA Manual J tables your contractor uses; winter values run a little warmer because recent winters have been milder.