Heating in a cooling town
Many valley homes heat with a heat pump, which is simply an air conditioner that can run in reverse. That means the same system that works hard all summer is also your heat source in winter, and a problem with one side often shows up on the other. Other homes have a gas furnace paired with a central AC, sharing the same blower and ductwork. We service both.
Because heating season is short, problems often go unnoticed until the first cold night of the year. A quick fall check catches them before you need the heat.
Heating system repair
The heating problems we see most:
Heat pump blowing cool air in heat mode
Could be a stuck reversing valve, a defrost control problem, low refrigerant, or simply a thermostat setup issue. On colder mornings a heat pump may briefly blow cooler air while it defrosts, which is normal; if it never warms up, it is not.
Furnace will not light or keeps shutting off
Often a dirty flame sensor, a failed igniter, a clogged filter causing overheating, or a pressure switch problem. We test the safety controls and make sure the furnace is venting properly.
System runs constantly or trips the breaker
Electrical faults, a failing blower motor or emergency heat strips engaging when they should not. Heat strips are expensive to run, so it is worth fixing quickly.
Uneven heat between rooms
Usually airflow: closed or blocked vents, leaking ducts or a weak blower. See duct repair.
Heating system installation
When a heat pump or furnace reaches the end of its life, we size the replacement to your home and match it to your cooling system and thermostat. In many valley homes a heat pump is the natural choice because it replaces the AC and the heat in one system. Where gas furnaces are already in place, a high-efficiency furnace paired with a new AC is another good option. We explain both, with prices, during a free estimate. See AC installation for how we size and install systems.
Heating system maintenance
A fall check tests the heat mode, the defrost cycle on heat pumps, the igniter, flame sensor and safety controls on furnaces, electrical connections, the blower and the filter. For gas furnaces, we also check that the unit vents properly. Pair it with a spring AC tune-up for year-round coverage.
We handle heating in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Paradise and Boulder City. For ductless heating, see mini-splits.
Heat pump or furnace: which do you have?
Heat pump
One outdoor unit handles both heating and cooling. The thermostat has a heat mode, and there may be an emergency or auxiliary heat setting.
Gas furnace with AC
A furnace indoors, usually in a closet, garage or attic, with a separate outdoor AC unit. You will see a gas line and a vent pipe at the furnace.
Emergency heat and your power bill
Many heat pumps have backup electric heat strips, labeled emergency or auxiliary heat on the thermostat. They warm the house quickly but cost much more to run than the heat pump itself. If your bill jumps in winter, the strips may be running more than they should, because of a thermostat setting, a heat pump problem or low refrigerant. We check why and fix the cause, so the heat pump does the work it is designed to do.
Questions we hear a lot
Is a heat pump enough for Las Vegas winters?
For most homes, yes. Our winters are mild, and modern heat pumps heat efficiently in the temperatures we typically see.
Why does my heat pump steam outside in winter?
That is the defrost cycle melting frost off the outdoor coil. It is normal as long as the system goes back to heating afterward.
Do you check carbon monoxide safety on furnaces?
We check the burners, venting and safety controls during furnace service. Every home with gas appliances should also have working carbon monoxide detectors.
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
Twice a year is ideal, because it runs in both seasons: once in spring before heavy cooling and once in fall before heating. At minimum, service it once a year and change the filter regularly, since the same filter protects both modes.