Emergency AC guide · Las Vegas
AC stopped working in the Las Vegas heat? What to do right now
When your air conditioner quits in a Las Vegas summer, the house heats up fast. This guide covers what to check in the first 10 minutes, how to keep your family safe while you wait, and how to find a licensed AC contractor quickly, so you don't lose time or money.
1. Check these first (10 minutes)
Many "emergencies" have a simple cause. Before you call anyone:
- Thermostat: make sure it is set to Cool, the set temperature is below the room temperature, and the fan is on Auto. If it runs on batteries and the screen is blank or dim, replace them.
- Breakers: central systems usually have one breaker for the indoor unit and one for the outdoor unit. If one is tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a licensed contractor: repeated tripping points to an electrical problem.
- Air filter: a clogged filter chokes airflow and can freeze the coil. If it is gray and packed with dust, replace it.
- Ice on the lines or the indoor coil: turn the system off (or set it to Fan only) and let the ice melt before running it again. Running a frozen system can damage the compressor.
- Outdoor unit: clear anything blocking the airflow around it, like weeds, boxes or covers.
Do not open electrical panels or touch refrigerant lines. That work belongs to a licensed professional.
2. Stay safe while you wait
Extreme heat is a real health risk, especially for older adults, infants and people with health conditions. The Southern Nevada Health District recommends:
- Drink water regularly, even if you are not thirsty, and limit alcohol.
- Avoid the hottest hours of the day and wear light, loose clothing.
- Check on neighbors, especially older adults.
- Never leave children or pets in a vehicle: the inside of a car can reach 120°F even when it is in the 90s outside.
Know the warning signs. Heavy sweating, pale skin, muscle cramps and dizziness can be signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms get worse or you suspect heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately and call 911.
Need somewhere cool? During extreme heat, Clark County opens daytime cooling stations at recreation centers, libraries and community centers. Some locations allow pets in carriers or on leashes.
3. Is it really an emergency?
Treat it as urgent and call a licensed contractor right away if:
- The house keeps heating up during extreme heat and someone at home is at higher risk.
- You smell burning, see sparks or hear electrical buzzing: turn the system off at the breaker first.
- Water is leaking into a ceiling or wall.
- The outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin, or the system keeps turning on and off every few minutes.
4. How to find a licensed AC contractor fast
In Nevada, repairing or installing the air conditioning system in your home is contractor work. The small-job exemption for work under $1,000 does not apply to air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing or electrical work (NRS 624.031). Before anyone works on your system:
- Verify the license. Search the company or license number in the free Nevada State Contractors Board license search. Air conditioning work falls under the refrigeration and air conditioning classification.
- Look for the license number in the ad. Nevada law requires licensed contractors to show their license number in their advertising (NRS 624.720).
- Ask before they come: is there a diagnostic or trip fee, is it credited toward the repair, and how soon can they arrive?
- Get the price in writing before authorizing a major repair, and ask what the warranty covers.
5. Common mistakes that cost money
- Resetting a breaker over and over.
- Running the system while it is iced up.
- Hiring someone without checking the license: if something goes wrong, you have fewer options.
- Paying for a refrigerant "top-off" without asking where the leak is. Refrigerant does not get used up; if it is low, there is a leak.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first when my AC stops working?
Check that the thermostat is set to cool and below room temperature, replace its batteries if it has them, check the air filter, and check the breakers for the indoor and outdoor units. If a breaker trips again after one reset, leave it off and call a licensed contractor.
Does an AC repair in Nevada require a licensed contractor?
Yes. In Nevada, repairing or installing an air conditioning system in your home is contractor work, and the small-job exemption of less than $1,000 does not apply to air conditioning work (NRS 624.031). You can verify any contractor's license for free in the Nevada State Contractors Board license search.
Where can I cool off while I wait for a repair?
During extreme heat, Clark County opens daytime cooling stations at recreation centers, libraries and community centers, and some locations allow pets. Check the county's current list of cooling stations.
When is a broken AC a medical emergency?
If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion that get worse, or you suspect heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately and call 911. Older adults, infants and people with health conditions are at higher risk.
More tips in Spanish on our blog, including why your AC isn't cooling and HVAC emergencies. Live in Henderson? Read our Henderson AC repair guide. For heating, efficiency and permits, see our HVAC guide. For common repairs and how to choose a technician, see AC repair in Las Vegas.