Sergei Petrov
With SPS Pro Services since 2017 · 14+ years in the trade, serving King and Snohomish counties.
What Sergei works on
Articles by Sergei
Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage vs. Variable-Speed Furnaces
Sergei Petrov breaks down single-stage, two-stage, and variable-speed furnaces with real Seattle-area cost numbers and field notes.
August 13, 2026Thermostat Screen Blank? Six Causes From Easy to Serious
Blank thermostat screen? Here are the six real causes, in order of likelihood, plus when it's a $9 fix and when it's a bigger electrical problem.
August 13, 2026What Is a Heat Exchanger — and Why a Crack Matters
Sergei Petrov explains the part that decides your furnace's fate: why exchangers crack after 15+ years, how techs verify it, and when replacement is fair.
August 13, 2026What Is a 'Ton' in AC? HVAC Sizing Without the Jargon
Sergei Petrov explains what an AC 'ton' really means, how sizing works in Seattle homes, and why bigger isn't better.
August 13, 2026Why Is My Furnace So Loud? Seven Noises Decoded
A Seattle HVAC tech breaks down 7 furnace noises, what they cost to fix, and when repair isn't worth the money.
August 13, 2026Why Is My House So Cold? Fixing Uneven, Weak Heating
Cold rooms and weak heat in your Seattle-area home? Here's how I diagnose the real cause on service calls, with costs and fixes.
August 13, 2026MERV Ratings Explained: Best Filter for Allergies
MERV 8 vs 11 vs 13 explained by an HVAC tech: what each catches, why MERV 13 can choke a 20-year-old blower, and the $600–$1,100 media cabinet fix.
August 11, 2026Musty Smell From Your HVAC? What It Means and the Fix
A tech's guide to musty HVAC smells: dirty-sock coils, condensate biofilm, wet crawlspace ducts, and real fix costs from $25 DIY to $700 duct cleaning.
August 10, 2026Why Is My House So Dusty? Nine Causes a Tech Checks First
An HVAC tech's 9-point dust checklist: why leaky return ducts in PNW crawlspaces are cause #1, plus fixes ranked from free to $700 duct sealing.
August 10, 2026Gas vs. Electric Furnace: AFUE, Costs and What Fits Here
80% vs 95% AFUE, PSE gas rates vs electric, install prices from $4,800. Sergei Petrov breaks down which furnace type fits Seattle-area homes in 2026.
August 8, 2026Do Air Purifiers Actually Work? A Tech's Honest Take
An HVAC tech's honest take on air purifiers: what a $200 HEPA unit really removes, CADR sizing math, and why smoke season is the one killer use case.
August 6, 2026How Long Does a Furnace Last in Western Washington?
Gas furnaces last 15-20 years, electric 20-30. Sergei Petrov explains what the damp PNW climate does to that number and when repair stops making sense.
August 4, 2026How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter in the PNW?
1-inch filters every 1-3 months, 4-5 inch media every 6-12. Sergei Petrov explains how Seattle pollen, mold, and smoke weeks shorten those intervals.
August 4, 2026How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost in Seattle? Honest Numbers
Real Seattle duct cleaning prices, what drives the cost, and when I tell customers to skip it. Numbers from actual job tickets.
July 9, 2026The 12-Point Furnace Maintenance Checklist We Run Before Every Seattle Winter
Sergei Petrov shares the 12-point furnace checklist SPS Pro Services runs across King and Snohomish County homes before winter.
July 9, 2026Why Is My Furnace Leaking Water? Diagnosis, Fixes and Costs
Furnace leaking water? Here's how Seattle-area techs diagnose the cause, what fixes cost, and when replacement beats repair.
July 9, 2026Furnace Running but Not Blowing Hot Air? 7 Causes and What Each Costs to Fix
Furnace running but blowing cold or no air? Seattle HVAC tech breaks down 7 causes, real repair costs, and when to stop paying for repairs.
July 9, 2026How Long Does a Water Heater Last in Western Washington?
Real lifespan numbers for tank and tankless water heaters in Seattle-area homes, plus when to repair vs replace, from a working HVAC tech.
July 9, 2026How to Drain and Flush a Water Heater (and When Not to DIY)
A Seattle HVAC tech explains how to flush a water heater step by step, and when a $300 job actually means you need a new unit.
July 9, 2026Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It? A Straight Answer for PNW Homes
Sergei Petrov breaks down when duct cleaning helps Seattle-area homes, when it's a waste of money, and what actually fixes airflow and allergy problems.
July 9, 2026Tankless vs. Tank Water Heaters: A Seattle Plumb-and-Power Reality Check
Sergei Petrov compares tankless and tank water heaters for Seattle homes: real install costs, gas line and panel surprises, and when tankless doesn't pay.
July 9, 2026How Long Water Heaters Really Last in Western Washington (and 5 Signs Yours Is Done)
Sergei Petrov breaks down real water heater lifespans in Seattle-area homes, with a repair-vs-replace table and 5 warning signs to watch.
July 9, 2026Want Sergei on your job?
One call — we'll match the right tech to the problem and quote it flat before work starts.