HVAC systems are one of the biggest investments homeowners make, yet they’re also one of the most neglected. Many people expect their heating and cooling systems to run for decades without attention, even though they cost as much as a car.
“You pay twenty thousand dollars for a system,” says Sergey Nikolin, co-founder of Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric. “But people don’t think it needs any maintenance.”
In Western Washington’s damp, changing climate, that assumption shortens the life of HVAC equipment and leads to avoidable breakdowns.
What Annual HVAC Maintenance Really Is
A maintenance visit is not a sales call. It’s a full health check of your system.
“There’s a lot of stuff we check,” Sergey explains. “Safeties, how much current the system is drawing, how it’s operating, and we replace the air filter.”
A proper service appointment looks at three areas:
- Electrical and safety controls
- Low-voltage and thermostat operation
- Mechanical performance and airflow
Together, those checks ensure the system is running within its design limits and not slowly damaging itself.
Why Air Filters Matter More Than People Think
One of the most common causes of winter breakdowns is simple neglect.
“A lot of no-heat calls we get are because the filter hasn’t been changed for five years,” Sergey says.
When filters clog, airflow drops. HVAC systems rely on moving air to keep internal parts cool. Without enough airflow, everything runs hotter than it should.
That extra heat slowly damages motors, compressors, and electronic boards. It doesn’t cause a failure overnight, but it cuts years off the life of the system.
What Overheating Does to Your System
HVAC equipment is designed to run within a narrow temperature range. When airflow is restricted, components overheat.
Over time this leads to:
- Cracked heat exchangers
- Burned control boards
- Failed compressors
- Higher energy bills
Regular maintenance prevents these slow, expensive failures.
What’s Included in a Proper Heating or Heat Pump Service
Whether you have a furnace, a heat pump, or a combined system, annual maintenance covers far more than just turning the unit on and off.
A full service includes:
- Testing all safety switches and shut-offs
- Inspecting electrical connections and current draw
- Checking refrigerant and mechanical operation
- Verifying thermostat communication
- Replacing the air filter
“Think of it like a physical for your system,” Sergey says. “You catch problems before they become emergencies.”
Heat Pumps and Dual-System Homes Need It Even More
Heat pump systems have two major pieces of equipment: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Both need to be serviced.
“With heat pumps, you’re maintaining two devices,” Sergey explains. “That’s how you keep efficiency high and warranties valid.”
Ignoring either side of the system can lead to reduced performance and premature failure.
Radiant Heating and Boiler Systems
Homes with radiant floor heating or boilers also need regular service, and in some ways, it’s even more critical.
“With radiant systems, you have pumps, water pressure, and a heat source,” Sergey says. “You also have safety cutoffs that prevent flooding or overheating.”
Boilers must be checked for:
- Proper water levels
- Pressure and temperature controls
- Pump operation
- Leak detection
“A boiler can be dangerous if it’s not maintained,” Sergey explains. “Water turning to steam expands a thousand times. That’s why those safety systems matter.”
Maintenance Is What Determines How Long Your System Lasts
At Product Air, technicians see the difference every day.
“We show up to 10-year-old systems that are in terrible shape,” Sergey says. “Then we see 25-year-old systems that still run fine.”
The biggest difference is maintenance.
“The only thing we really see is how often people replace their filters and have the system checked,” he says.
Why Maintenance Protects Your Warranty
Most HVAC warranties depend on annual service.
“Manufacturers give ten-year warranties. We give a five-year labor warranty,” Sergey says. “But if you miss maintenance, a lot of companies cancel the labor part. That’s in the fine print.”
Annual service protects:
- Manufacturer coverage
- Labor warranties
- Long-term reliability
Skipping one visit can void years of protection.
How Much Does Annual Service Cost?
At Product Air, maintenance is simple and transparent.
“We charge $149 per piece of equipment, once a year,” Sergey says.
That small investment keeps warranties active, prevents breakdowns, and extends system life by a decade or more.
The Bottom Line
HVAC maintenance isn’t optional. It’s the difference between a system that lasts 10 years and one that lasts 25.
“Maintenance goes a long way,” Sergey says. “It keeps people comfortable and saves them a lot of money in the long run.”
Need to schedule annual HVAC service?
Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric serves homeowners across Snohomish, King, Island, and Skagit counties.
Call (425) 344-3738 to book your maintenance visit.