Heating guide · Las Vegas
Heater not working in Las Vegas? A homeowner’s heating repair guide
Las Vegas winters are short, but desert nights get cold, and most homes only find out their heater has a problem on the first chilly evening. This guide covers the quick checks for gas furnaces and heat pumps, the safety rules that matter most with heating, and how to hire a licensed contractor.
1. Safety first: gas and carbon monoxide
- If you smell gas (a rotten-egg odor): leave the area immediately and, from a safe location, call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020. Do not turn switches, thermostats or appliances on or off (Southwest Gas).
- If your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm sounds: do not look for the source. Get everyone outside to fresh air immediately, call 911, and do not go back in until emergency responders say it is safe (CPSC).
- Know the symptoms. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, often described as “flu-like”. Gas furnaces are one of the household sources of CO (CDC).
- Have CO alarms: battery-operated or with battery backup, on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas, meeting the UL 2034 standard (CPSC).
2. Gas furnace: quick checks
- Thermostat: set to Heat and a few degrees above room temperature; replace the batteries if it uses them.
- Power: check the breaker and the furnace power switch, which often looks like a regular light switch near the unit.
- Door panel: most furnaces will not run if the access panel is not fully closed.
- Air filter: a clogged filter restricts airflow and can make the furnace shut itself off.
A faint dusty smell the first time you turn the heat on for the season is common and usually fades quickly. A burning or electrical smell that does not go away is not: turn the system off and call a licensed contractor.
3. Heat pump: what’s normal in winter
- Defrost cycles are normal. Near freezing, frost forms on the outdoor coil and the heat pump runs a defrost cycle to melt it. The outdoor fan may stop, you may see steam, and water will drip at the unit. Defrost typically takes 5 to 15 minutes (U.S. Department of Energy).
- Auxiliary heat may turn on to keep the house warm during defrost or on the coldest nights. It uses electric resistance heat, which costs more to run.
- Call a professional if the heat pump stays stuck in defrost or the outdoor unit is covered in ice.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear so air can flow freely, and make sure defrost water does not pool on a walkway where it can freeze.
4. Schedule the yearly service
The CDC recommends having your heating system, water heater and other gas-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year (CDC). In Las Vegas, fall is the natural time: before the first cold nights and before technicians get busy. A heating service also means the system is checked before you depend on it.
5. How to hire a licensed heating contractor
- Verify the license in the free Nevada State Contractors Board license search. Heating work is contractor work in Nevada even for jobs under $1,000 (NRS 624.031).
- Look for the license number in the ad (NRS 624.720).
- Ask about permits if the furnace or heat pump is being replaced; see the permit section of our HVAC guide.
- Get the diagnosis, the price and the warranty in writing before authorizing a major repair.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my furnace turn on?
Check that the thermostat is set to Heat and above room temperature, that it has fresh batteries if it uses them, that the furnace power switch and breaker are on, that the furnace door panel is fully closed, and that the air filter is not clogged. If it still does not start, call a licensed contractor.
Is it normal for my heat pump to blow steam or drip water in winter?
Usually, yes. When it is near freezing outside, a heat pump runs a defrost cycle that melts frost on the outdoor coil; the U.S. Department of Energy says defrost typically takes 5 to 15 minutes and the melted water drips at the outdoor unit. If the unit stays stuck in defrost or covered in ice, call a professional.
How often should my heating system be serviced?
The CDC recommends having your heating system, water heater and other gas-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. In Las Vegas, fall is a good time, before the first cold nights.
What should I do if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?
Do not look for the source. Move everyone outside to fresh air immediately and call 911, then make sure everyone is accounted for. Do not go back inside until emergency responders say it is safe.
Also see: HVAC guide for Las Vegas · AC repair in Las Vegas · Emergency AC guide · AC repair in Henderson · Blog