Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend a professional AC tune-up once a year, ideally in the spring before the Northern Nevada cooling season begins. Annual maintenance keeps your system efficient, catches small problems before they become breakdowns, and helps protect your manufacturer warranty.

The most common causes are a dirty air filter, low refrigerant from a leak, a frozen evaporator coil, a failing compressor, or a thermostat issue. Start by replacing the filter and checking the thermostat setting — if that does not solve it, give Sierra Air a call at (775) 356-5566 to schedule an AC repair and we will diagnose it.

A well-maintained central air conditioner typically lasts 12 to 15 years. Regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and a clean filter all extend its life. If your system is over 12 years old and needing frequent repairs, it may be more cost-effective to replace the system.

For most homes, every 1 to 3 months. Change it more often if you have pets, allergies, or run the system constantly during our hot summers. A clogged filter is the number-one cause of avoidable AC and heating problems.

A musty smell usually points to mold or moisture in the system or ducts; a burning smell can mean an overheating motor or component; a rotten-egg odor may mean something more serious. If you notice a burning or persistent odor, turn the system off and call us right away.

A full wrap-around cover is not recommended — it traps moisture and can invite rodents. Outdoor condensers are built to handle the elements. A breathable top cover to keep out leaves and debris is fine if you would like to use one.

Short cycling can be caused by an oversized system, a dirty air filter or coil, low refrigerant, a thermostat placed in a poor location, or a control issue. It wastes energy and wears out the compressor, so it is worth having checked promptly.

We can service all makes and models of air conditioning manufacturers.

Once a year, ideally in the fall before the heating season. Annual heating maintenance improves efficiency, keeps your home safe by checking for cracked heat exchangers and carbon-monoxide risks, and keeps your warranty valid.

Check the thermostat is set to "heat" and the fan is on "auto" rather than "on." Other common causes include a dirty flame sensor, an ignition or pilot problem, a clogged filter, or an overheating system that has shut down the burners. If the basics check out, you may need a furnace repair — call Sierra Air at (775) 356-5566.

Yes — a light burning or dusty smell the first time you run the heat each season is normal as dust burns off the heat exchanger. It should clear within an hour or two. If the smell is strong, smells like burning plastic, or persists, shut the system off and call us.

A furnace creates heat by burning fuel (usually natural gas). A heat pump moves heat from the outside air into your home and can run in reverse to cool it in summer, so it handles both heating and cooling — a ductless mini-split is one popular type of heat pump. Our team can help you decide which is the better fit for your home.

A typical furnace lasts 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance. If yours is in that range and needs frequent or expensive repairs, replacing it with a high-efficiency model often pays for itself in lower energy bills.

Uneven heating is usually caused by leaky or undersized ductwork, poor insulation, blocked or closed vents, or a home that would benefit from zoning. We can evaluate your system and recommend the right fix.

Confirm the thermostat is set to heat and the batteries are good, check that the furnace power switch is on, look for a tripped breaker, and make sure the filter is not completely clogged. If it still will not run, call us and we will get your heat back on.

Twice a year is ideal: a cooling tune-up in the spring and a heating tune-up in the fall. Many homeowners cover both with a maintenance membership, which also includes priority service and repair discounts.

For a good balance of comfort and efficiency, many homeowners use around 68°F in winter and 78°F in summer, adjusting a few degrees when away from home. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this automatic and can noticeably lower your bills.

Common culprits are a dirty or aging system working harder than it should, a clogged filter, duct leaks, thermostat settings, or insufficient insulation. A maintenance visit will pinpoint where the energy — and money — is going.

Options include higher-quality air filtration, whole-home air purifiers, proper humidity control, and duct cleaning. We can assess your home and recommend indoor air quality solutions that match your needs and budget.

Consider replacement when the system is more than 10 to 15 years old, repairs are becoming frequent or costly, your bills keep climbing, or it still uses the discontinued R-22 refrigerant. A good rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than half the price of a new system, replacement is usually the smarter investment.

Yes, we handle the logistics of pulling permits whenever they are necessary for the work we perform.

No heat, no cooling, or an unsafe situation such as a cracked heat exchanger or a gas leak. If you suspect a gas leak, leave the home and call us right away.

Sierra Rewards members enjoy a long list of perks: a Furnace Precision Tune-Up and Professional Cleaning, an A/C Precision Tune-Up and Professional Cleaning, an 11-point Plumbing Safety Inspection, an Attic and Crawlspace Efficiency and Safety Analysis, Priority Scheduling, Priority Installation, a Guaranteed HVAC Service Window, Transferrable Plans, a $19 Diagnostic Charge, HVAC and Plumbing Repair Discounts, an Additional Product Discount, an Extended HVAC Parts and Labor Warranty, and 100% of your Sierra Rewards payment credited.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — the system that heats, cools, and circulates the air throughout your home to keep it comfortable year-round.

Shut off your home's main water valve right away to stop the flooding, then call Sierra Air at (775) 356-5566. If the leak is at your water heater, you can shut off the supply valve at the top of the tank. The faster the water is off, the less damage to your home.

It is usually located where the water line enters your home — often in the garage, a basement or crawlspace, or near the front of the house close to the street-side meter. It is worth locating yours now so you can act fast in an emergency.

A sudden drop can be caused by a hidden leak, a partially closed valve, a failing pressure-regulating valve, a clogged faucet aerator, or a municipal water issue. If it affects the whole house, our plumbing repair team can track down the cause.

Warning signs include an unexpectedly high water bill, a water meter that keeps moving when everything is off, damp spots or stains on walls/ceilings/floors, musty smells, or the sound of running water. Our leak detection service can pinpoint the source without unnecessary demolition.

About once a year. Flushing removes sediment that builds up at the bottom of the tank, which improves efficiency, protects the tank, and extends its lifespan. We can include this as part of routine plumbing maintenance.

Common causes are sediment buildup reducing tank capacity, an undersized or aging tank, a broken dip tube, or a failing heating element or thermostat. If your hot water disappears fast, we can diagnose the issue and discuss repair or a tankless upgrade.

Stick to small, soft food scraps and always run plenty of cold water. Avoid grease and oil, fibrous foods like celery, starchy foods like potato peels and pasta, coffee grounds, and bones — these are the leading causes of disposal jams and clogs.

Slow drains are usually caused by a buildup of hair, grease, soap scum, food, or other debris inside the pipe. A professional drain cleaning clears the blockage fully — unlike store-bought products that often only punch a small hole through the clog.

Watch for multiple slow or backed-up drains at once, gurgling sounds from toilets or drains, sewage odors indoors or in the yard, and water backing up when you flush or run the washer. These point to a main line issue — call us promptly to avoid a messy backup.

We generally advise against them. Harsh chemical cleaners can corrode and damage your pipes over time, are hard on the environment, and often do not fully clear the clog. Professional drain clearing is safer and more effective.

Use strainers in sinks and tubs to catch hair and food, never pour grease down the drain, run hot water after each use, and be mindful of what goes down the disposal and toilet. Periodic professional cleaning keeps lines flowing freely.

Recurring clogs usually signal a deeper problem — heavy buildup further down the line, tree-root intrusion in the sewer line, a venting issue, or a pipe that has shifted. A camera inspection lets us find the root cause and fix it for good.

Odors are often caused by trapped food or debris in the drain, a dry P-trap (common in rarely used drains), a venting problem, or sewer gas escaping. If a thorough cleaning does not solve it, there may be a venting or sewer issue worth inspecting.