Staying Cool in a City so Hot

School may be back in session, but that doesn’t mean autumn temperatures have arrived. Many Philadelphia residents find they use their air conditioning units all the way through October. In order to ensure your home is getting the best cooling bang for your energy bucks, use a reputable Philadelphia heating & air conditioning contractor who will keep your HVAC unit running efficiently and stay cool in a city so hot.

Here are ideas for helping your home’s HVAC system run smoothly.

Routine Maintenance is important for Optimal HVAC Performance

Eager do-it-yourself homeowners can perform routine HVAC maintenance on their own. However it can also be a good idea to find a local Philadelphia heating and air conditioning company and ask them about available service contracts.

Regular maintenance on a HVAC unit includes things like:

• Changing the filters regularly

• Ensuring that ducts are sealed properly

• Cleaning and oiling necessary parts

• Cleaning drains of any debris or build-up to keep them from overflowing

• Adjusting the thermostat to make sure it’s running correctly

If you would rather forgo the responsibility of performing annual maintenance tasks, hire a local HVAC contractor and they’ll gladly do the work for you. This can save you hundreds of dollars a year. When you consider that an annual maintenance contract may run around $200, but replacement parts and labor can cost $500 or more per visit, a service contract makes good sense.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make during the warm months is to keep the house overly cool when nobody is home. Now that the kids are back in school, make sure your thermostat is programmed appropriately. You will notice an instant savings on your next energy bill. By using appropriate settings on a programmable thermostat, the average homeowner can save as much as $180 a year. That adds up!

It’s easy to promote energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort. If your family can be comfortable with minor adjustments, you may be able to save even more money on monthly utility bills.

Check for Leaks to Maximize Philadelphia Heating & Air Conditioning

Leaks can be the downfall of the most quality HVAC system. There is no point in spending the energy necessary to cool your home if all that cool air is being lost to leaks. Properly sealing and insulating your home can add another 20% energy savings on your energy statements.

• Check for drafts around doors/windows

• Upgrade insulation

• Repair old weather stripping

• Check ducts for proper sealing

Attention to these details can keep your home even cooler. Consider contacting a local HVAC contractor to perform an energy assessment and find ways that you can stay cool, while saving even more money in energy savings!

Patrick Whalen is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow him @2patwhalen.