Widespread Power Outages in Western Washington Exposed Home Vulnerability: Product Air’s Insights on the Rising Demand for Backup Power
Storm-driven outages across Snohomish, King, Island, and Skagit counties are prompting homeowners to rethink emergency and home resilience.
Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric, LLC, a family-run HVAC and electrical contractor serving residential customers throughout Snohomish County, King County, Island County, Skagit County, and the greater Seattle metropolitan area, reports a significant increase in homeowner inquiries for backup power solutions following widespread power outages that left tens of thousands of homes without electricity over the past two weeks.
Strong windstorms, saturated soil, and falling trees damaged power lines and substations across Western Washington, resulting in prolonged outages lasting from several hours to multiple days in many communities. At peak times, utility providers reported up to 500,000 people were without power, leaving families without heat, refrigeration, and critical household systems.
“These storms are becoming a learning moment for a lot of people,” said Sergey Nikolin, co-founder of Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric, LLC. “Some areas weren’t hit last year, so when it happens to them for the first time, they really feel it. A lot of homeowners were without power for multiple days.”
Why Western Washington Is Especially Vulnerable
Western Washington’s geography makes it particularly susceptible to extended power outages during winter storms. Ocean air moves inland through Puget Sound, creating wind channels that intensify gusts across Snohomish, King, Island, and Skagit counties. Combined with tall trees and saturated ground, these winds often result in downed lines and damaged infrastructure.
“It’s the design of the landscape,” Nikolin explained. “The wind gets channeled through certain areas and hits them really hard.”
As storms grow more intense, outages are becoming more frequent, exposing how dependent modern homes have become on electricity for safety, comfort, and daily living.
What Homeowners Underestimated
While many people expect the lights to go out, few anticipate the financial and practical consequences of a prolonged outage.
“A lot of people lose groceries in their fridges and freezers,” said Nikolin. “Especially around here, people shop at Costco and keep big freezers in the garage. After a few days, everything melts. We see people losing three to five thousand dollars in food.”
Beyond food loss, outages also impact heating systems, indoor humidity control, and plumbing. Without power, pipes can freeze and burst, and moisture can build up inside the home. In rural areas, septic systems rely on electric pumps, which stop working when the power goes out.
“People don’t think about septic, but those pumps need power,” Nikolin added. “If it’s out long enough, sewage can back up into the house.”
A Shift in How Homeowners View Backup Power
Following the recent outages, Product Air has seen a noticeable change in how homeowners think about backup power.
“A lot of people are upset,” Nikolin said. “They say, ‘I was going to do it in the summer, but I got busy. Now I’m buying groceries again.’ After a few years of that, people realize they could have paid for a generator already.”
What was once seen as a luxury is now viewed as part of responsible home planning. Increased storm intensity, greater reliance on electric systems, and the availability of financing options have made backup power more accessible to families across the region.
“People are more educated now, and there are more ways to make it affordable,” Nikolin explained.
Planning Ahead Matters
One of the biggest challenges homeowners face after a storm is timing. Utility companies must schedule power disconnections and reconnections for generator installations, which can take weeks.
“That’s why planning ahead is important,” said Nikolin. “After a storm, everyone wants it done right away, but the utility company's schedule can be the biggest holdup.”
About Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric, LLC
Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric, LLC is a family-run company founded in 2017 by the Nikolin brothers. Based in Marysville, Washington, the company provides heating, cooling, electrical, and backup power solutions for residential customers throughout Snohomish County and the greater Seattle region.
With more than 12 years of industry experience, Sergey Nikolin and his team focus on long-term comfort, honest recommendations, and practical solutions that help homeowners protect their families and their homes.
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Media Contact
Product Air Heating, Cooling, and Electric, LLC
Address: 103 Cedar Ave, Unit B, Marysville, WA 98270, United States
Phone: (425) 344-3738
Site: https://productairheating.com/