Nevada homeowner guide

Main water shutoff

At the meter near the street or at the wall entry. Las Vegas and Reno homes have the shutoff in different locations depending on the construction era. Know yours before an emergency.

Water softener and filtration system

Nevada has some of the hardest water in the US. Scale buildup destroys water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and faucets. Know where your water softener is, what salt it uses, and when it needs refilling. If your home lacks a water softener, consider installing one.

AC system location and type

Nevada's extreme heat makes AC a life-safety system. Know where your air handler, condenser, and thermostat are. Know your HVAC company's emergency number; an AC failure in Las Vegas at 115°F is a medical emergency, particularly for the elderly.

HVAC filter replacement

Nevada's desert dust clogs filters rapidly. Replace monthly during spring dust storm season and during summer peak cooling. A dirty filter in Nevada summer causes the evaporator to ice over, shutting down cooling, the opposite of what you need.

Hard water appliance maintenance

Monthly: check water softener salt level and refill as needed. Quarterly: descale faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliance water inlets. Annually: flush the water heater to remove mineral sediment.

AC system service before summer

Service the AC in March or April, not in July when technicians are fully booked. Coil cleaning, refrigerant check, capacitor inspection, and filter replacement. Nevada AC systems run 8-10 months per year. A system serviced in spring runs more efficiently through the summer peak.

Dust storm (haboob) preparation

Las Vegas and southern Nevada experience haboobs, walls of dust that reduce visibility to zero. Seal gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping. Keep the AC filter fresh to handle post-storm dust loads.

Flash flood risk during monsoon season

Nevada's desert soils don't absorb monsoon rain; it runs off immediately. Las Vegas and Reno washes fill in minutes. Never drive through flooded washes; 6 inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle. Know which washes are near your home and monitor NWS Las Vegas flash flood warnings.

UV and exterior protection

Nevada's UV index is among the highest in the US. Exterior paint, caulk, and HVAC equipment degrade faster than in any other climate. Repaint and recaulk exterior every 5-7 years (vs 10-12 years in humid climates). Cover outdoor AC units and equipment when not in use.

Nevada freeze events

Las Vegas reaches 20-25°F in cold years. Reno reaches 0°F. Nevada homes are not built for sustained cold; pipes in exterior walls and crawl spaces are often inadequately insulated. When freeze is forecast: let faucets drip, open cabinet doors, disconnect outdoor hoses.

Second AC unit or window unit backup

Nevada's heat makes a backup AC plan essential. If the primary system fails, a window AC unit in the bedroom provides lifesaving cooling for vulnerable household members. Know where to purchase one and have a plan; Las Vegas hardware stores sell out in hours after a heat wave begins.

Know your local washes

Las Vegas and Reno are built around flood control washes and channels. Know which channels are near your home. Do not park in wash areas during monsoon season. Consider flood-proofing garage doors and entries if the home is in a flash flood-prone area.

Heat action plan for vulnerable household members

Nevada's 115°F+ heat waves are dangerous for elderly, very young, and medically vulnerable individuals. Know your nearest cooling center. NV Energy cooling centers are listed on their website. A home without AC at 115°F reaches dangerous core body temperatures within 1-2 hours.

Never leave anyone in a vehicle

Nevada vehicle interior temperatures reach 170°F+. A child or pet left in a vehicle for even 10 minutes in summer can die. This is not hyperbole; Nevada is second only to Florida in hot-car deaths.

Heat emergency response

If AC fails during extreme heat: immediately move vulnerable household members to a cooling center, hotel, or friend's home with AC. Call an HVAC company immediately. Keep blinds and curtains closed. Minimize activity. NV Energy: 1-702-402-5555 (Las Vegas), 1-800-962-0399 (Reno).

Shut off and drain

Main water off at meter. Open all faucets. Nevada plumber wait times after cold events: 24-48 hours in Las Vegas and Reno, longer if statewide freeze.

Flash flood and wash overflow response

Most Nevada homes don't have basements. Flooding occurs at grade from flash floods and overflowing washes. Do not enter flooded areas with submerged electrical equipment. Call NV Energy (1-702-402-5555) to disconnect at the meter. Move to higher ground immediately during a flash flood warning. Do not try to save possessions.

Nevada heat outages: immediate life safety

Power outages in Nevada summer at 115°F are medical emergencies within hours. Move to a cooling center immediately. NV Energy: 1-702-402-5555 (Las Vegas). 1-800-962-0399 (Reno). Generator outside only, 20+ feet from windows.

Evacuate and call from outside

Rotten egg smell: everyone out. Leave door open. Call 911. Southwest Gas: 1-877-860-6020. Do not re-enter until cleared.

Two exits, meet outside, never re-enter

Two ways out of every room. Outdoor meeting place. Crawl under smoke. Call 911. Never go back inside.