Furnace Tune-Up in Las Vegas: What an Annual Heating Check-Up Covers

Short answer: A furnace tune-up is a once-a-year inspection and cleaning of your gas furnace or heat pump before you rely on it for heat. A technician checks the burners, ignitor, flame sensor, safety switches, blower, electrical connections, filter, thermostat and venting, and tells you about anything worn before it fails on a cold morning. In Las Vegas, the best time is fall, before January, when NOAA's average low is 40.5°F. If you ever smell gas, leave the house first, then call Southwest Gas or 911 from outside.

Why a yearly heating check-up matters in Las Vegas

Our heaters sit idle for most of the year and then get asked to work every morning for a few months. NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Las Vegas put the average January low at 40.5°F and the average high at 58.5°F. That pattern of cold mornings and mild afternoons means a lot of short start-up cycles, and start-up is when ignitors, flame sensors and pressure switches are most likely to give out.

Months of dust also settle on burners, the blower and the flame sensor while the system is cooling all summer. Much of what we see as a "no heat" call in winter is a part that a tune-up would have flagged in the fall. A check-up does not guarantee nothing will break, but it lets you fix small problems on your schedule instead of on the first cold morning.

What a furnace tune-up includes

Every system is different, but a thorough heating check-up usually covers:

• Filter: check the size and condition and replace it if it's dirty. See our air filter size guide.
• Thermostat: confirm it calls for heat correctly and the settings make sense. More in thermostat not working.
• Ignition: inspect the hot-surface ignitor or pilot assembly. Older furnaces are covered in our pilot light guide.
• Flame sensor: clean and test it. A dirty sensor is a common reason a furnace lights and then shuts off. See furnace flame sensor.
• Burners and flame: look for even, steady burner flames and clean off debris.
• Safety controls: test the limit switch and pressure switch so the furnace shuts down when it should.
• Blower and motor: clean the blower and check it for noise, wobble and airflow.
• Electrical: tighten connections and check the capacitor and control board for signs of heat damage.
• Venting and drain: make sure flue pipes are intact and connected, and that high-efficiency furnaces drain properly.
• Heat pumps: check defrost operation, the outdoor coil, and the backup heat strips if the system has them. If yours is already struggling, see heat pump not heating.

At the end you should get a plain explanation of what was checked, what looks good and what's worn, with no pressure to replace a system that still has life in it.

What you can check yourself first

Before the season, take these simple, safe steps:

1. Replace the air filter.
2. Switch the thermostat to Heat and set it a few degrees above room temperature. You should hear the furnace start within a few minutes.
3. Walk through the house and open the supply vents and return grilles. Move furniture or rugs off them.
4. Clear storage boxes away from the furnace in the closet, garage or attic.
5. A faint dusty smell on the first run of the season is common and should fade quickly. A smell that lingers or gets stronger is not normal. See furnace burning smell.
6. Test your carbon monoxide alarms and replace their batteries.

Don't open the burner compartment, bypass a safety switch or relight anything you're not comfortable with. If the heater doesn't start, our heater not working guide walks through the next steps.

Notes for Anthem, Southern Highlands and Inspirada homes

Colton Air Conditioning serves all three of these communities. Each one has its own details worth knowing before a heating check-up.

Anthem (Henderson)

Anthem sits in the Henderson foothills. USGS elevation points there run about 2,460 to 2,790 feet, while the official Las Vegas weather station at the airport sits at about 2,131 feet. Higher ground can mean colder mornings than the city averages suggest, so your heater may start earlier in the day and cycle more often. That makes a fall check of the ignitor, flame sensor and safety switches especially worthwhile. If your furnace turns on and off in quick bursts, read furnace short cycling. More on our Anthem service area page.

Southern Highlands (Enterprise, Clark County)

Southern Highlands is a master-planned community in unincorporated Enterprise, in Clark County, not inside Las Vegas city limits. Many homes in master-planned communities like this have more than one heating and cooling system, such as one for each floor or wing. If you do, have every system checked, because an upstairs unit that is used less often can fail without anyone noticing. Some neighborhoods are gated, so plan for gate access before your appointment. If you're thinking about changes to outdoor equipment, check with your HOA first. More on our Southern Highlands service area page.

Inspirada (Henderson)

Inspirada is a master-planned community in Henderson. If your system is still under a manufacturer's warranty, check your paperwork, because warranties often ask for proof of regular maintenance. Keep a dated record of every tune-up. Our Henderson AC warranty guide explains why those records matter. More on our Inspirada service area page.

When to call instead of waiting for a tune-up

Don't wait for a scheduled check-up if you notice any of these:

• Gas smell or a carbon monoxide alarm: leave the house right away, then call Southwest Gas or 911 from outside. Don't flip switches or try to find the source.
• The furnace lights and then shuts off, over and over.
• Loud bangs at start-up, or grinding and squealing from the blower.
• A yellow, flickering burner flame instead of a steady blue one.
• The furnace runs but blows cold air. See heater blowing cold air.
• A breaker that keeps tripping, or a burning or electrical smell.

Scheduling a heating check-up with Colton

Colton Air Conditioning handles furnace and heat pump tune-ups and heating repair across Las Vegas and Henderson, including Anthem, Southern Highlands and Inspirada. See our Comfort Club maintenance plans if you would like your yearly check-ups organized for you.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Call (702) 738-6976 or Book Online. Saturday and Sunday are closed.

Colton Air Conditioning, 6545 S. Fort Apache Rd Ste 135 #467, Las Vegas, NV 89148. Nevada license 0092120.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I get a furnace tune-up in Las Vegas?

Once a year is a good rule for most homes. Fall is the best time, before cold January mornings, when NOAA's average low for Las Vegas is 40.5°F.

Does a heat pump need a heating tune-up too?

Yes. A heat pump heats and cools, so it runs much of the year. A heating check should include defrost operation, the outdoor coil, and the backup heat strips if the system has them.

What's the difference between a furnace tune-up and a furnace repair?

A tune-up is preventive. It cleans, tests and inspects a system that is working. A repair fixes a specific failure, such as a bad ignitor or a tripped limit switch. A tune-up often finds parts that are wearing out before they cause a repair call.

Is the heater different in Anthem because of the elevation?

Your furnace works the same way, but Anthem sits higher than the airport weather station, at about 2,460 to 2,790 feet compared with about 2,131 feet, so mornings can be colder. Colder mornings can mean more heating cycles, which makes a yearly check worthwhile.

My Southern Highlands home has two systems. Do both need a check-up?

Yes. Each system has its own burners, controls and blower. A unit that is used less often, such as an upstairs system, should be checked too, so it doesn't fail without anyone noticing.

Can I do the tune-up myself?

You can replace the filter, test the thermostat, clear the vents and test your CO alarms. Leave burners, gas controls, electrical parts and safety switches to a licensed technician.

What should I do if I smell gas while the furnace is running?

Leave the house right away. From outside, call Southwest Gas or 911. Don't use switches, the thermostat or appliances on your way out.