As a Las Vegas business owner, the effectiveness and efficiency of your commercial HVAC system are paramount for maintaining a comfortable environment and managing energy costs effectively. With air conditioning consuming significant portions of electricity and the average commercial building wasting about 30% of the energy it consumes, understanding both how to enhance your current system and what to consider when installing a new one is crucial.
DIY - Enhancing the Efficiency of Your Existing HVAC System
Practical, regular care can shave significant operating costs from a commercial HVAC system in Las Vegas. Below are concrete, local-ready actions and simple checks a facilities manager or business owner can do before calling a technician.
Quick actions to start today
- Check and replace filters by type:
- Standard pleated filters: every 1 to 3 months for offices, monthly for dusty or high-traffic locations.
- MERV 8-13 or higher for healthcare, restaurants, or labs - check more often if you see dust buildup.
- In Las Vegas (dust, occasional construction, desert pollen), plan for at least monthly checks during spring and summer.
- Keep all supply and return vents open and unobstructed. Furniture, boxes, or signage placed over vents reduces airflow and forces the system to work harder.
- Shade windows and rooftop skylights. In Summerlin, Henderson, and downtown Vegas, intense sun exposure can add several degrees of cooling load. Use solar screens, reflective films, or awnings where practical.
- Program thermostats for predictable schedules. Use setbacks at night and on weekends when spaces are empty. A smart or commercial-grade programmable thermostat can save energy and reduce system cycling.
HVAC condenser and coil basic checks (safety first)
- Turn off power to the unit at the disconnect before any cleaning.
- Remove large debris (branches, trash) from around rooftop or ground condensers.
- Hose down condenser fins gently to remove dust and debris monthly during peak dusty seasons; call pros for full coil cleaning annually.
- Watch for blocked drains and pan overflow signs - these cause indoor humidity and mold issues.
Local Las Vegas context
- Desert dust and construction near growing neighborhoods like Summerlin, Henderson, and the Strip increase filter and coil clogging. Increase inspection frequency after local construction projects or wind events.
- Peak cooling months (June through September) demand pre-season checks in May to avoid mid-summer failures and high emergency repair costs.
When DIY is not enough
- Call a licensed commercial HVAC technician if you notice:
- Repeated short-cycling, unusual noises, or visible refrigerant leaks.
- Uneven temperatures across zones despite open vents.
- Rapidly rising electric bills without occupancy or weather changes.
For professional diagnostics, sizing checks, and coil pairing or compatibility, see our guide on matching coils and units: /blog/lennox-coil-pairing-chart-summerlin-guide/
Considerations for Installing a New Commercial HVAC System
How to Choose a Commercial HVAC Contractor in Las Vegas
Picking the right contractor is as important as choosing the right equipment.
- Verify credentials and local experience
- Ask for Nevada contractor license, commercial references in Las Vegas, and proof of insurance.
- Prefer vendors who have worked in your neighborhood type (strip mall, office tower, restaurant, medical).
- Ask these questions during estimates
- Will you perform a formal load calculation and provide documentation?
- What is included in the startup and commissioning process?
- What are response times for service calls and what maintenance plans are offered?
- How do you handle warranty claims and parts replacement?
- Red flags to avoid
- Vague bids without equipment model numbers or efficiency ratings.
- No startup testing or airflow balancing listed.
- Contractors who push lowest price without lifecycle or maintenance planning.
For help comparing systems and lifecycle costs, check our Lennox system pricing guide: /blog/lennox-system-pricing/ and for help choosing equipment for businesses, see our notes on the Merit series advantages: /blog/lennox-ml-merit-series/
Installing a new commercial HVAC system is a long-term investment. Focus on right-sizing, efficiency, indoor air quality, and vendor qualifications to get the best total cost of ownership.
Right-sizing and load calculations
- Request a Manual J or commercial load calculation from your installer. This considers building orientation, glazing, occupancy, equipment heat gains (kitchens, server rooms), and insulation.
- Oversized units short-cycle and waste energy. Undersized units run continuously and wear out faster.
System type guidance for Las Vegas
- Rooftop units are common on strip malls and low-rise buildings for easy service access and space savings.
- Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) or multi-split systems allow precise zoning and can lower energy costs in mixed-use spaces.
- For high-efficiency packaged rooftop options, compare Energy Star or manufacturer efficiency ratings and lifecycle cost - see our analysis of high-efficiency RTUs here: /blog/lennox-el-elite-series/
Efficiency ratings and incentives
- Compare SEER and EER ratings; higher numbers usually mean lower operating costs in hot climates like Las Vegas.
- Before investing, check NV Energy or local utility programs for commercial incentives or rebates that can offset upgrade costs.
Ductwork and controls
- Inspect and seal ducts before system swap. Leaky ducts can reduce delivered cooling by 20% or more.
- Invest in quality controls: zoning dampers, commercial thermostats, and building automation systems improve occupant comfort and reduce waste. Learn why thermostat choice matters here: /blog/why-are-lennox-thermostats-better-guide/
Contractor selection checklist
- Verify commercial licenses and insurance.
- Ask for recent project references in Las Vegas neighborhoods you can contact.
- Request detailed proposals showing equipment, controls, ductwork changes, startup testing, and warranty.
- Compare lifecycle cost, not only first-year price. For help comparing pricing and warranties, see our Lennox system pricing breakdown: /blog/lennox-system-pricing/
H4 Checklist: Before you sign
- Confirm load calculation is included.
- Verify equipment AHRI/SEER ratings and warranty terms.
- Confirm contractor will perform start-up, balancing, and commissioning.
- Ask about preventive maintenance plans and response times for repairs.
Striving for Peak Performance and Comfort!
Peak performance means predictable comfort, lower costs, and fewer emergency calls. Create a simple program to keep systems running at peak.
Annual and quarterly actions
- Quarterly: Inspect filters, belts, refrigerant pressures, electrical connections, and condensate drains.
- Semi-annually: Test thermostats and controls, inspect duct insulation and sealing.
- Annually: Full preventive maintenance - coil cleaning, refrigerant check, motor lubrication, airflow balancing, and safety tests.
H4 Planned Maintenance Schedule (example)
- Monthly - Filter check/replacement, visual condenser clean.
- Quarterly - Belt/tension and refrigerant pressure review.
- Annually - Coil cleaning, full electrical audit, airflow balancing, and IAQ testing if needed.
When to call The Cooling Company
- If you need a professional load calculation, system startup, or AHRI matching (for coil pairs and retrofits), our technicians provide local experience on commercial projects across Summerlin, Henderson, and the Strip.
- For error troubleshooting on control boards or defrost cycles, see related fixes in our knowledge base: /blog/lennox-defrost-board-error-summerlin/
Expert tip
- Track energy use monthly and correlate with weather and occupancy. A sudden rise of 10% or more versus previous months usually signals a maintenance need or failing component.
We bring decades of commercial HVAC experience to Las Vegas businesses and can tailor a maintenance plan or replacement quote to your facility’s needs. Contact The Cooling Company for a site visit and customized plan.
Seasonal Strategies for Las Vegas Commercial HVAC
Las Vegas has long, hot summers and mild winters. Seasonal strategies reduce costs and extend equipment life.
- Summer prep (April-May)
- Schedule full system tune-up before the cooling season.
- Check rooftop unit access and remove any debris or shading that traps heat.
- Verify roof insulation around units is intact to reduce heat transfer.
- Peak summer operations (June-September)
- Use night setbacks for non-occupied zones and stagger start times for rooftop units to avoid simultaneous high draws.
- Monitor refrigerant levels and compressor amps weekly during heat waves.
- Mild winter care (November-February)
- Use economizer ventilation when outdoor temperatures allow to reduce compressor runtime.
- Run periodic heat strips or supplemental heating tests if the building uses heat pumps.
- Post-storm or high-wind cleanup
- Inspect filters and coils after dust storms. Increase filter frequency for a month following major construction near your building.
These seasonal steps help avoid mid-summer failures and reduce emergency repair costs.