After visiting thousands of homes across Western Washington, Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric has seen just about everything that can go wrong with a heating system. And most of the time, the problems are far less dramatic than homeowners expect.
“A lot of our calls could be prevented by just replacing an air filter,” says Sergey Nikolin, co-founder of Product Air.
That simple truth shows up again and again.
The Most Common Failure: The Invisible Air Filter
One of the most frequent service calls starts the same way.
“We show up and the filter hasn’t been replaced for five or six years,” Sergey says. “Sometimes people don’t even know where it is.”
Filters quietly clog over time. When they do, airflow drops. That makes the system overheat and eventually shut down. By the time the homeowner notices, the house is already cold.
Often, Product Air technicians end up on the phone helping people find their own air filter before even rolling a truck.
When Good Intentions Cause Problems
Not every breakdown comes from neglect. Some come from homeowners trying to help.
“We see people replacing their own thermostats and shorting something out,” Sergey says. “Or kids playing in the garage and shutting off the gas valve.”
These are easy mistakes to make, especially when systems are tucked away in basements, closets, or garages.
Before calling for service, there are a few simple things homeowners can safely check:
- Is the air filter clean?
- Is the thermostat powered and set correctly?
- Does the unit have power?
- Is the gas valve turned on?
Many “no heat” calls end with one of those simple fixes.
The Signs a System Is About to Fail
Most heating systems don’t die without warning.
“Age is a factor,” Sergey says. “The average system we replace is around 15 years old.”
That doesn’t mean a 15-year-old furnace will fail tomorrow. But a 30-year-old one is on borrowed time.
Noise is another warning sign.
“If it’s been quiet and now it’s knocking or ticking, that’s not normal,” Sergey says. “You should call a professional.”
Those sounds usually point to mechanical wear.
What Knocking and Ticking Usually Mean
When a technician hears a knocking noise, two things come to mind.
“Bad bearings or an unbalanced blower,” Sergey says.
Both problems can be fixed if caught early. If ignored, they can destroy motors and turn a small repair into a major replacement.
Heat Pumps and Outdoor Damage
Modern heat pumps are reliable, but they have one unique vulnerability: they sit outside.
“Vandalism is something we see,” Sergey says.
Outdoor units can be hit, damaged, or tampered with. Even small impacts can cause refrigerant leaks or electrical issues.
Regular maintenance and simple protective measures help prevent that kind of damage.
The Risk of Unproven Equipment
One of the most frustrating calls Product Air gets is from homeowners with nearly new systems that can’t be fixed.
“We live in a port city,” Sergey explains. “Some manufacturers try making their own equipment.”
These new brands often look good on paper. But when they break, parts can be impossible to get.
“We see systems that are only five years old,” Sergey says. “And the parts are six months out. The homeowner has no heat or cooling the whole time.”
That’s why Product Air recommends established manufacturers with reliable supply chains.
“Don’t jump on the new thing just because it’s new,” Sergey says.
How Long Systems Really Last
There is a big difference between how long systems can last and how long they do last.
“We see 25-year-old systems that still run,” Sergey says. “And 10-year-old systems that are destroyed.”
The difference is maintenance, filters, and how the system was treated over time.
Why Product Air Cares About the Little Things
Product Air serves more than 400 homes each month and has worked with over 10,000 homeowners across the Puget Sound region.
“We’re not about transactions,” Sergey says. “We’re about relationships.”
That means helping homeowners understand what to check, what to listen for, and when to call for help.
Most breakdowns are predictable. Many are preventable.
And the sooner they’re addressed, the less they cost.
Having trouble with your heating system?
Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric serves homeowners across Snohomish, King, Island, and Skagit counties with service, maintenance, and system replacements.Call (425) 344-3738 for expert help.