Southern Nevada has a desert-like climate with a short rainy season that lasts for approximately 26 days. The air is dry and dusty, and the temperatures can vary significantly between the day and night. This means that your HVAC system should be able to do a lot of cooling and air purification. If possible, it should also add a little moisture to your indoor space. These are some of the best systems to consider for this type of climate.
Heat Pump
A heat pump is an HVAC appliance that’s currently making waves in the industry, but it was invented in 1856. It took over the spotlight thanks to its cost-saving benefits and the ability to offer both heating and cooling.
The heat pump is powered by electricity but not to generate warm or cool air. Instead, electricity facilitates the transfer of heat from one location to another. For instance, if you want to warm your indoor air, the heat pump will collect heat from the outdoor air and transfer it to the air inside your home. Alternatively, if you set your thermostat to cooling mode, the heat pump will extract heat from your indoor air and release it outside.
This is made possible by refrigerant. This is a chemical compound with very low boiling and freezing points. These features are helpful because in a heat pump, the refrigerant can quickly change its form to absorb or release when needed without using too much energy.
The heat pump is made up of two units: the indoor air handler and the outdoor condenser (which can also operate as an evaporator in heating mode). These two units are connected by a conduit that houses the refrigerant lines, electric wires, and a condensate drain line. Ductless mini-splits are built and work the same way as heat pumps. The only difference is that sometimes a heat pump can be ducted.
Another type of heat pump you can build in Nevada is the geothermal heat pump. It operates like the normal air-source heat pump but extracts and releases heat to the ground instead of the outdoor air.
Why Heat Pumps Are Ideal for Nevada’s Unique Climate
First, heat pumps are ideal for Nevada’s climate because they significantly improve indoor air quality. They are not ducted, so they are not susceptible to the dust and debris that often accumulate in traditional ductwork. Given that Nevada’s air is already dusty, this feature is particularly beneficial. Your system will only deal with allergens and pollutants that may have sneaked into your home through windows, doors, and human traffic.
Second, heat pumps are extremely energy efficient — up to four times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems. This is important because Nevada’s climate is dry, and you may have your heat pump running constantly. However, you’ll still save on energy costs.
Third, you can use your heat pump for both cooling and heating. Winter nights in Nevada are cold, with temperatures in the upper 30s in the southern part of the state and occasional subfreezing temperatures in the north. Your heat pump can work in such conditions, but you may want to invest in a backup system for the most efficient winter heating.
Lastly, heat pumps operate very quietly. They produce a noise level of between 40 to 65 decibels, which is comparable to a refrigerator’s hum or normal conversation.
Conventional HVAC System
A conventional HVAC system is typically a central air conditioner paired with a furnace. The air conditioner provides cold air during the hot days while the furnace warms the home at night.
The air conditioner also utilizes the refrigerant to cool the home. It pulls air through the return vents and ducts and passes it over evaporator coils, which contain the refrigerant in its cool liquid form. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air, cooling it before the blower fans push it back out into your rooms via the supply ducts and vents.
After absorbing heat from your indoor air, the refrigerant becomes hot and turns into vapor. The outdoor unit then pulls this vapor to cool it down. The outdoor unit, which contains the compressor, makes the refrigerant even hotter by compressing it. This process ensures the refrigerant’s temperature is higher than the surrounding ambient air. When the extremely hot refrigerant passes through the condenser coils, it loses heat quickly and easily. The now cool refrigerant will move back to the indoor unit to absorb more heat from the indoor air.
This process continues until the temperature of the indoor air reaches your desired comfort levels. The thermostat has sensors that assess the interior temperatures and kick on or turn off the AC accordingly.
The furnace, on the other hand, runs mostly at night. It works by heating the air within the combustion chamber. Depending on the type, it can use electricity, propane, or natural gas to generate the heat that warms the air.
Why a Conventional HVAC System Is Ideal for Southern Nevada’s Climate
A traditional air conditioning system does an excellent job cooling the hot desert air. It is also efficient and reliable when well-maintained. The furnace is also dependable when the temperatures drop below your desired comfort level.
A conventional HVAC system also makes it easy to integrate a humidifier. Given the dry desert air, adding moisture to your indoor environment can significantly enhance both air quality and comfort.
Considerations When Installing an HVAC System in Your Home
There are many types and models of HVAC systems you can install for your Nevada home. However, there are critical factors that you need to consider.
Home Size and Layout
An HVAC technician must assess your home’s total square footage, number of floors, and room configurations to determine your specific heating and cooling needs. If your system is too large, it will cycle on and off frequently, which often leads to significant wear and tear and uncomfortable conditions. Equipment that’s too small will struggle to meet your heating demands and may break down often.
Efficiency
Consider highly rated HVAC systems, preferably those with the ENERGY STAR label. High-efficiency systems consume less energy than standard models while providing better performance.
For a heat pump, aim for a seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2 (SEER2) rating of at least 15 and a heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) of around 8.5. If installing an air conditioner, look for a minimum SEER2 rating of 13. An efficient furnace in Nevada should also have a minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 95%.
SEER2 (the standard that replaced SEER on Jan. 1, 2023) is essentially the ratio of a heat pump or air conditioner’s cooling output over a cooling season divided by the energy it uses. All HVAC systems now being produced use SEER2 testing procedures to better represent real-world conditions and provide a more accurate measurement of a system’s efficiency.
The HSPF is the total amount of heat output during a typical heating season divided by the total amount of energy consumed. The AFUE ratio measures the amount of fuel energy the furnace converts into heat. Thus, a 95% AFUE means 95% of natural gas or propane burned turns to heat.
Cost
Before purchasing an HVAC system, consider both the initial and recurrent cost of ownership. In the future, you may need to repair or replace worn-out parts. Some systems use components that are generally more expensive or harder to find. It’s important to research the availability and cost of these components to avoid surprises down the line.
Contact Bumble Breeze for Expert Guidance
If you live in Las Vegas, NV or the surrounding area, call Bumble Breeze for guidance on the best HVAC type and model for your home. We’ll consider your budget, heating and cooling needs, and your property’s specific requirements to recommend the most efficient and effective system. You can also reach out to us for other services, such as whole-home sanitation, water heater installation, and plumbing repiping.
Call Bumble Breeze today for more information or to schedule an HVAC installation in Las Vegas, NV.
