On a 110 degree afternoon in Henderson, finding warm air blowing from your vents can feel like an emergency. The house heats up fast, everyone is uncomfortable, and you start imagining a huge repair bill or an AC replacement you did not plan for. In our climate, even a few hours without cooling can feel like a big problem.
Before you panic, it helps to know that many AC issues in Henderson and Las Vegas start with a handful of simple, fixable problems. Some of these you can safely check on your own in a few minutes. Others are early warning signs that tell you it is time to bring in a licensed HVAC team before a small issue turns into system damage or sky-high power bills.
We work with homeowners and businesses across Henderson, Las Vegas, and nearby communities, and we see the same patterns of AC problems every summer. In this guide, we walk through the same DIY troubleshooting steps we often talk customers through on the phone. You will see where simple checks often solve the problem and where it makes more sense to call Stella LLC for fast service and a free estimate.
Why AC Problems Are So Common In Henderson
AC systems in Henderson and Las Vegas work much harder than systems in milder climates. When temperatures sit in the triple digits for hours every day, your air conditioner may run almost nonstop from late morning into the night. That constant load heats up components, wears moving parts, and exposes any weak point in the system quickly.
Dust and debris make things worse. Our desert air carries fine dust, plus there is often nearby construction that throws more particles into the air. That dust collects on filters, indoor coils, blower wheels, and inside return ducts. A filter that might last three months in a cooler, cleaner climate can clog much faster in a Henderson home with pets or kids coming in and out all day.
When filters, coils, or ducts are restricted, airflow drops. Less air moves across the indoor coil, so it cannot pick up as much heat from your home. The coil itself can get too cold and start to ice, and your AC may blow lukewarm air, run constantly, or shut itself off to protect the equipment. None of this is bad luck. It is simply what happens when a system that already works hard in extreme heat has to fight dust and poor airflow on top of everything else.
Because we work on both residential and commercial systems throughout the valley, we see how these same conditions affect everything from small home units to rooftop package systems on local businesses. The good news is that many early symptoms have straightforward causes that you can look for before you decide what to do next.
Start With The Basics: Thermostat, Power, and Airflow
When your AC is not cooling the way it should, a smart move is to rule out the simple issues first. These checks do not require tools, and they often save a service call. They also give you better information if you do end up calling, which helps us get you back to normal faster.
Begin at the thermostat. Confirm that it is set to “cool” and the fan is on “auto,” not “on.” If the fan is set to “on,” the blower will run constantly, even between cooling cycles, and the air can feel warm. Make sure the temperature setting is lower than the current room temperature and that any schedule or programmable features are not overriding your setting. If your thermostat uses batteries, replace them so you can rule out low power causing intermittent behavior.
Next, check basic power. Look at your electrical panel and confirm that the breakers labeled for the AC or HVAC are in the “on” position. If a breaker has tripped, it will usually sit between off and on. Reset it once by turning it fully off, then back on. Many systems also have a disconnect switch near the outdoor unit or by the indoor air handler. Make sure these are not accidentally switched off. Do not remove covers, open metal electrical panels, or handle any wiring. If a breaker trips again right away, leave it off and plan to call a professional, since repeated tripping points to a deeper electrical or mechanical issue.
Finally, check airflow. Locate your return air grille, which is usually the larger grille where air is pulled into the system, and make sure nothing is blocking it. Pull out the filter and inspect it against a light. If you cannot see light through much of the filter, it is time to replace it. In Henderson and Las Vegas, we see filters clog much faster during peak cooling season, sometimes in just a month in dusty or busy homes. Walk through the rooms and make sure supply vents are open and not covered by rugs, furniture, or curtains.
These are the same basics our technicians often walk through with homeowners and business managers on the phone. We believe in strong communication and transparency, so we are comfortable helping you fix a simple setting or filter issue yourself rather than scheduling an unnecessary visit. If the system still does not cool properly after these checks, it is time to dig a little deeper into the symptoms.
Warm Air or Weak Airflow: DIY Checks Before You Call
One of the most common complaints we hear in Henderson is, “The AC is running, but the air feels warm,” or “The air barely comes out of the vents.” After you have confirmed thermostat settings, power, and replaced a dirty filter, there are a few more safe checks you can make to narrow things down.
Start by walking the home and feeling the air from different vents. If airflow is strong in some rooms and weak in others, look for closed registers or vents hidden behind furniture. Even partially closed vents can throw off airflow balance and make certain rooms uncomfortable. If you have access to visible ductwork in an attic or closet, look for any obvious kinks or crushed sections in flexible duct that you can see without climbing into unsafe spaces.
Next, carefully look at the indoor unit if it is accessible, such as in a closet or garage. With the system turned off at the thermostat, remove the filter and use a flashlight to look at the area behind it. If you can see the edge of the evaporator coil, check for visible ice or heavy frost. You may also see ice buildup on the insulated refrigerant line near the air handler. Do not remove panels, but if you see ice, leave the system off and let it thaw. Ice usually means airflow has been restricted for some time, or there is a refrigerant or other mechanical issue that needs attention.
If you can safely reach your outdoor unit, take a look at the metal fins on the sides. Debris like leaves, plastic bags, or cottonwood fluff can lodge against the coil and choke airflow. With the power to the unit off at the thermostat, you can gently clear any obvious debris from the outside surface. Do not bend the fins or use a pressure washer. If the fins are heavily clogged with dirt that does not brush off easily, a professional coil cleaning is usually the next step.
Unusual AC Smells: What You Can Check Safely
Smells from your AC can be worrying, especially if you are not sure what they mean. Some are harmless and temporary. Others can signal moisture, biological growth, or electrical problems that deserve fast attention. Knowing what you can safely look for helps you decide your next step.
Musty or mildew smells often come from moisture where it should not sit for long. As your AC runs, moisture from the air condenses on the cold evaporator coil and drips into a drain pan. From there, it should flow out through a condensate drain line. If that line clogs with algae, dust, or debris, water can stagnate in the pan. Over time, this can create odors and, in some cases, water leaks into ceilings or closets.
You can safely look for signs of condensate issues. If your air handler is in a closet or garage, check the area around it for dampness, rust, or an external drain line dripping constantly. Some homes have a secondary drain line that runs outside near a window or door. If that line is dripping steadily, it can mean the primary drain is clogged and the backup is carrying the water away. While you can sometimes clear a drain with a wet vac at the outside outlet, many clogs sit deeper in the line or pan and are easier for a technician to handle.
Burning or electrical smells are different. A light dusty smell when you first turn the system on after it has been off for a long time can simply be dust burning off heating elements or components. This usually fades quickly. A strong or persistent burning odor, especially if it smells like hot plastic or wiring, can indicate overheating components or failing electrical parts. In that case, turn the system off and do not attempt to open any panels or inspect wiring.
Chemical or sharp smells that seem to come from the vents should also be treated seriously. Modern residential systems are designed to contain refrigerant, but a strong chemical odor along with poor cooling can be a sign of a leak or another mechanical problem. Refrigerant handling requires trained technicians and specialized tools. For this reason, we recommend turning the system off and calling a professional if you suspect this kind of issue.
When we respond to odor and moisture calls in Henderson and Las Vegas, we focus on finding the source, whether it is a condensate drain issue, duct problem, or electrical component. Our technicians are clean and tidy, and we take care to protect your floors, walls, and ceilings while working around drain pans, attic access, or finished spaces.
Noises, Leaks, and Other Red Flags You Should Not Ignore
Certain sounds and signs from your AC move beyond “annoying” into “do not ignore this.” These are the symptoms where DIY should stop and professional service should start, because continued operation can turn a repair into a much more expensive failure.
Normal AC operation includes a low hum from the outdoor unit, a steady fan sound, and air moving through vents. If you begin to hear grinding, screeching, or metal on metal noises from the air handler or outdoor unit, it can mean bearings are failing or fan blades are hitting something. Loud banging or clanking can indicate a loose or broken part inside the compressor or blower assembly. These are mechanical failures in progress. Turning the system off until a technician can inspect it can save you from a complete compressor or blower replacement.
Water where it does not belong is another red flag. If you see water pooling around the indoor unit, stains on the ceiling below an attic air handler, or water near electrical components, shut the system down. While some condensation around lines can be normal in humid periods, standing water points to a drainage issue or, in some cases, a frozen coil thawing and overflowing the pan. DIY attempts to clear up water without addressing the cause can lead to repeated leaks and hidden damage to drywall and framing.
Repeated breaker trips are a serious warning. If you reset an AC breaker once and it trips again, do not keep resetting it. Frequent tripping is the system’s way of protecting itself and your home from an electrical fault, such as a shorted motor, failing capacitor, or wiring problem. This is firmly in professional territory. Continuing to reset a tripping breaker can overheat wiring and create a safety hazard.
Ice buildup is another sign that things are not right. If you see heavy frost or solid ice on the refrigerant lines or the coil area, and this returns after thawing even with a clean filter and good airflow from vents, the underlying cause is not something DIY can fix. It might be low refrigerant, a blower issue, or other problems that require gauges, electrical tests, and experience to solve correctly.
Get Your AC Back On Track With Local, Reliable Service
DIY AC troubleshooting can go a long way in Henderson and Las Vegas. Simple steps like correcting thermostat settings, replacing a clogged filter, clearing vents, and spotting obvious red flags help you separate small fixes from serious problems. Understanding how our climate stresses your system also shows why some issues, like repeated breaker trips, heavy icing, or strong burning smells, are signals to stop experimenting and bring in a qualified HVAC team.
If you have worked through the safe checks in this guide and your AC still is not keeping up, or if you see any of the warning signs we described, we are ready to step in. We respond quickly across Henderson and the Las Vegas area, provide free estimates with competitive pricing, and keep you informed from the first call through the final fix so there are no surprises. Let us take the guessing out of AC problems and get your system back to keeping your space comfortable.
Call (702) 472-9353 today to schedule your AC service or free estimate.