When the calendar flips over to March, people who live in Southern Nevada know that change is coming. We are talking about extreme heat that is just around the corner. The kind of weather that can be dangerous to your body can also take a toll on your home. So, when it comes to protecting your house from the sun’s damaging rays, experts say thinking ahead and taking some proactive steps are key.
According to Ryan Field, Vice President of Marketing for Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing, taking care of your HVAC system should start before the weather gets hot.
"Here in Las Vegas, a good and reliable air conditioning system is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Field. “It can be hard for us to drive that point home sometimes when it’s not yet 110 degrees outside and the weather is beautiful, people don’t feel much urgency. But it’s so important to maintain your air conditioner before extreme heat arrives, which is something we see every year."
Field says on average, air conditioners last about 10 years in the Las Vegas Valley because of our extreme weather. But with regular inspections and repairs, the cost to keep and maintain one of the most expensive pieces of machinery in your home could come way down.
When it comes to protecting your home against the heat, window treatments are also critical in blocking out the sunlight and shielding your furniture, flooring, and walls from harmful UV rays. One top name in the industry who has been helping his customers here in Las Vegas for nearly three decades is Jack Ball, the owner and president of Cover It Window Fashions.
“Every product that we sell has benefits for both energy-saving and UV protection," said Ball.
According to the US Department of Energy, about 76 percent of the sunlight that shines through an average window becomes heat. And when we live in a place like Southern Nevada, it becomes much more important to consider shades and blinds that can significantly block out the sun.
“We are an exclusive retailer of Hunter Douglas," said Ball. "Their top-of-the-line quality products are up to 88 percent UV resistant while you can still see out."
While intense sunshine and heat during the summertime can be detrimental to your AC system, it can also do a lot of damage to the things you treasure in your home. Ball said he has seen this first-hand working with his customers in the valley.
“I have seen wood-type flooring where people have area rugs down and the sun faded the flooring around it so you can really see the difference," said Ball. "And it doesn't take as long as you think to see this kind of sun damage. I have seen it happen in 2 years."
Ball says that when he started his business in 1995, technology didn't play that big a role in the kind of window treatment product he offers and in what his customers are looking for. But today, times have changed, and he is excited to sell these modern products that will help people both protect their homes and save on their energy bills.
"With Powerview Automation, you can schedule window treatments to open and close when you want them to," said Ball. "This system is also compatible with a smart home system. They are all Bluetooth accessible and programmable to fully automate. For example, my wife can leave in the morning and doesn't have to worry about closing and opening our shades at certain times of the day. We just love it."
Whether it be your air conditioning or your window treatments, local businesses say the Las Vegas market has offered them opportunities to grow and serve even more people as they move to the valley, especially in the last 10 to 15 years.
To help customers keep up with the maintenance of Home Comfort Systems year-round, Sierra LLC Air Conditioning & Plumbing recently launched a new membership plan. The Savings and Maintenance Membership (S.A.M. Membership) is designed to ensure your equipment remains at optimal performance and your warranty stays intact. Members receive more than $1,373 in services each year for a monthly fee of $16. This will provide each member with four complimentary visits from their HVAC technicians and plumbers. For starters, this includes a cooling tune-up in the spring, to prepare for summer as well as a heating tune-up in the fall to prepare for winter. Also included is a visit from the plumbing team for a 65-point preventative maintenance inspection. S.A.M. Members also receive an emergency visit, if needed.
As for Jack Ball and his team at Cover it Window Fashions, he is proud to open his 5,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse where clients can see and test his quality products firsthand. Ball said whether his customer spends $500 or $5,000 on a window treatment, they will get the same quality and service from his business.
“The reason I love what I do is because my product is often the first thing people wake up to and see," said Ball. "We are part of people’s daily lives, and we take it very seriously and it's the reason why we love what we do every day."
“Every product that we sell has benefits for both energy-saving and UV protection."
"Here in Las Vegas, a good and reliable air conditioning system is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.”
