Among the many excellent reasons that make Las Vegas an excellent place to call home is the incredible weather. Although there are extremely hot days during the summer, the city experiences a pleasant climate during most of the year. And the best part is, you won’t need to worry about freezing winters, unlike some parts of the country. This, however, is also why many residents from the valley tend to neglect regular maintenance tasks and weather-proofing their homes.
On this page, we offer several helpful tips that can allow you to save on your energy bills while keeping your Las Vegas luxury home comfortable throughout the changing seasons.
THE LAS VEGAS WEATHER AT A GLANCE
Las Vegas’ climate is classified as a subtropical hot desert, typical of the Mojave Desert where it’s located. The weather is characterized by long, hot summers, pleasant and warm transitional seasons, and short winters with mild, chilly days and cold nights. In general, Las Vegas days are mostly dry and clear year-round, with temperatures ranging from around 38°F to 105°F, rarely going below 30°F or exceeding 111°F.
Las Vegas residents can look forward to enjoying a lot of clear, sunny days throughout most of the year as the city gets an average of 310 days of sunshine annually. As one of the driest and least humid cities in the country, Las Vegas does not get too much rain, recording an average of 26 rainy days and 4.2 inches of precipitation annually. February is usually the month with the most rainfall, with an average of four rainy days and 0.8 inches of precipitation.
The Las Vegas weather is at its best from March to May and from September to November, with the spring and fall seasons offering the most pleasant climate.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR LAS VEGAS LUXURY HOME FOR DIFFERENT SEASONS
Winter
Winter is the perfect time to inspect your home and take steps to make it as energy efficient as possible, while also keeping it warm and comfortable for your family. Quick and simple maintenance tasks can be extremely effective and can go a long way, even in Las Vegas mild winters. Below are some helpful tips for your home during the winter.
Add Insulation
Adding extra insulation is one of the easiest ways to maximize your home’s energy efficiency during the winter. If you’re not sure whether your house will benefit from additional insulation, take a look at your attic insulation. Measure the layer – if it’s not at least 5 inches thick, your home needs extra insulation. It should have a depth of at least 6 to 12 inches to maintain a comfortable temperature and help you save more on your energy bills.
Seal your windows
One of the best ways to conserve energy during the winter is to prevent warm air from leaking out and cold air from entering through drafty windows.
All you need for this are some window insulation kits from your local hardware store, which can be used to seal window frames. You can also use caulking or cut-to-fit weather stripping that can be attached to frames with adhesive.
Check your furnace
It’s important to have your heater or furnace inspected by a professional repair company or technician each year, right before winter. Heating consumes more energy and costs more to operate compared to any other home system, taking as much as 40% of your utility bill.
A simple test before the onset of the cold weather will help you determine if your heater is fully functional and operating at max efficiency. In case you have an older model, upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient heater could be worth it. You can count on newer furnace and heater models to be more energy efficient, especially compared to models from decades ago. An experienced and reliable HVAC professional will be able to provide options and assist you in finding the right solution for your home.
Use the sun’s heat to your advantage
The Las Vegas sun can act as an additional heat source during low temperatures. During the day, open up your window curtains (particularly the south-facing ones) to bring a free, additional heat source for your home. Don’t forget to close them after sundown to retain some of that heat during the evening.
Consider investing in a new thermostat
A faulty thermostat is one of the most common reasons for inefficient heating. If you find your heater working excessively or not functioning as it should, simply try replacing the batteries of your thermostat to see if that changes anything.
If you have an older thermostat installed, consider upgrading to a newer, smart thermostat. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce your home’s energy bills. A smart thermostat enables you to set times when you want your home’s temperature lowered or increased, allowing you to save energy while you’re away and keep your home warm when you’re there. Some advanced models even allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely through an app so you can monitor and change it even when you’re someplace else.
Store your outdoor furniture
It may seem unnecessary, but storing your outdoor furniture during the winter will save them from additional wear and tear, even if they’re designed to be placed outdoors.
You’ve already set up a nice outdoor living space so it might feel tedious and time-consuming to go through the hassle of stowing everything away, but think of it this way – you’re potentially getting more years out of your furniture if you keep them indoors in the winter.
You can store your outdoor furniture in your garage, shed, or under the awning of your patio so they’re not as exposed to the elements. And in case you don’t have anywhere you can store them, consider getting waterproof furniture covers, which you can find online.
Spring
While other parts of the country look forward to refreshing spring showers and colorful wildflowers in bloom, spring in Las Vegas is a little different. But there’s still terrific weather you can take advantage of, with pleasant temperatures hovering in the 50s and 80s during the day and cooling significantly after sunset.
To welcome the spring season, start with the place you spend most of your time in – your home. Here’s a list of spring home maintenance tasks for your Las Vegas luxury home.
Decluttering
Clutter can often accumulate during the winter months, so spring is a great time to pare down. An effective approach is to declutter one room at a time. The task can feel overwhelming (especially if you have a large house) so try to focus on one specific area, collect items, and sort them into “keep” and “discard” piles.
Consider donating items you no longer use but are still in good condition such as clothes, furniture, toys, games, blankets, and accessories. Organizations like Vegas Rescue, City Mission of Las Vegas, and the American Red Cross of Nevada always appreciate in-kind donations.
Spring cleaning
Springtime is the best season for clearing your home of dust bunnies and applying a fresh coat of paint to your walls.
Give your carpet, hardwood, and tile floors a thorough cleaning, and wash the baseboards as well. If you’re replacing your old dryer, remember to clean out any remaining lint and residue in your dryer vent to avoid potential fire hazards.
Don’t forget to clean often-overlooked spots like the inside of your dishwasher, curtains and upholstery, refrigerator drawers, lampshades, and outdoor furniture. A comprehensive spring cleaning will leave your Las Vegas luxury home looking and smelling fresh in time for summer.
Electrical safety check
With thunderstorms usually appearing over Las Vegas from May to October, spring brings the perfect opportunity to conduct a safety check on your home’s electrical systems. You don’t have to be an expert – performing an electrical safety check is quick and easy. Discovering even a single issue can prevent major damage to your home, and even save a life.
Start by inspecting your main electrical panel and its surrounding area. There should be at least three feet of space around your panel and a battery-operated light source in case the power goes out. Open the panel door to examine the breakers. Check for signs of rust or rodent activity. Test the circuit breaker switches as well and see if any of them stick or are corroded, as these may cause malfunctions.
Another useful step is to perform a visual inspection of exposed wiring. If you have wires running from your attic or basement, examine each one and check for any splits or cracks. Search for any signs of chewing or nest building from rodents, and repair or replace any damaged wires.
Summer
Stopping major issues in their tracks is the key to maintaining your Las Vegas home during the summer. By keeping an eye out for small problems, you’ll be able to prevent more significant problems down the line.
Here are some summer home maintenance tips that can help you stop problems in their tracks before they turn into headaches.
Enhance your outdoor living areas
If you’re planning to invite family and friends for a summer party on your porch or patio, you want to make sure it’s in tip-top shape for entertaining guests.
Start by conducting a safety check. Closely inspect boards, supports, and stairs for cracks and other signs of damage, as these may no longer be able to bear weight, especially if you’re hosting a large gathering. Stain and seal your patio and deck to give them a fresh look, while also protecting them from the intense summer heat and occasional rainfall.
Next, enhance the windows and doors adjacent to your outdoor living areas by installing new window treatments like sidelight or plantation shutters. In addition to improving the appearance and function of your outdoor living space, they offer more comfort as well and will help lower your energy bills.
Finally, consider bringing in new outdoor furniture or perhaps a fire pit to make your porch or patio the perfect spot for parties or enjoying quiet summer evenings outdoors. Complete the look by landscaping the edges surrounding your outdoor spaces.
Clean and service your HVAC system
There’s nothing worse than your home’s A/C unit malfunctioning when you’re right in the middle of a heat wave in the summer.
One of the most common issues many people tend to overlook is the air filter. With a dirty air filter, the unit’s blower needs to work harder to force air through the clogged filter, increasing the energy consumption or worse, tripping the circuit breaker. Check you’re A/C filter from time to time and replace it with a clean one for optimum performance.
To ensure proper maintenance, get in touch with a professional to check your HVAC unit. In addition to changing the filters, they’ll also check all circuits and fuses, and tune up the system so everything’s in good working order throughout the summer.
Maintain your large appliances
The scorching Las Vegas summer heat can take its toll on some of your large appliances, preventing them from running smoothly. Having faulty or leaky appliances can put a stop to even the best-laid summer plans.
In refrigerators, one of the biggest problems is clogged coils. Having clogged refrigerator coils can cause your fridge to work harder, increasing your electric bill. All you need to do is use a vacuum to clean them out. Unplug your refrigerator and then use a coil brush attachment or a crevice tool to eliminate debris and buildup stuck to your coils.
For your washer and dryer, check the hoses and look for leaks, bulges, or cracks, and replace any damaged hoses. Clean out your exterior bent and dryer hose at least once a year.
To maintain your dishwasher, search for lines that might be leaking or collecting water. You can add one cup of vinegar to the cycle to deodorize the unit and give it a deep clean. Afterward, empty and clean the dishwasher filter using soap and warm water.
Fall
As summer transitions to fall, it’s time to prepare your Las Vegas luxury home for colder temperatures ahead. Completing several key home maintenance tasks during the fall helps ward off issues that may occur later on, so you can enjoy autumn without any worries.
Below are some maintenance tasks and essential tips for maintaining your home in the fall.
Exterior inspection
Inspect your home’s roof, foundation, and vents. Look for cracks that might need sealing or caulking. Check your windows and door frames as well to see if they need replacement or new window weather stripping.
Applying new weather stripping helps reduce heating costs, and will only cost you a few dollars at your local hardware store. In addition to making your home more energy efficient, sealing cracks and openings in your exteriors also prevents small critters looking to stay warm from entering your home during the cold weather.
Trim your shrubs, plants, and trees
The cool fall weather is an excellent time to tidy up your landscaping. Take your hedge trimmer out for a spin, or get in touch with your landscaper.
Keep in mind as well that at the start of November, the Southern Nevada Water Authority cuts down their watering sessions to once a week for their customers.
Replace your batteries
Inspect your home’s roof, foundation, and vents. Look for cracks that might need sealing or caulking. Check your windows and door frames as well to see if they need replacement or new window weather stripping.
Applying new weather stripping helps reduce heating costs, and will only cost you a few dollars at your local hardware store. In addition to making your home more energy efficient, sealing cracks and openings in your exteriors also prevents small critters looking to stay warm from entering your home during the cold weather.
Trim your shrubs, plants, and trees
The cool fall weather is an excellent time to tidy up your landscaping. Take your hedge trimmer out for a spin, or get in touch with your landscaper.
Keep in mind as well that at the start of November, the Southern Nevada Water Authority cuts down their watering sessions to once a week for their customers.
Replace your batteries
Remember to replace the batteries for essential electronics in your home like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Check for expiration dates as well, these safety devices are recommended for use for around ten years from the manufacture date smoke alarms and five to seven years for CO detectors. This applies to combination smoke/detector alarms, too.
Protect your home against fall allergens
There are several steps you can do to protect your home from allergens common in Las Vegas in the fall.
Consider investing in an air purifier if your Las Vegas luxury home currently does not have one. This will help eliminate dust, pollen, and other harmful particles in your home. Look into getting a central air purifier, as these models can easily be installed in your current HVAC system and purify the air circulating in your home.
Try to find a purifier with a high MERV rating, as these are extremely effective at eliminating tiny particles from the air.
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