In every neighborhood from Temple to Society Hill to Tasker, all Philadelphians need to stay warm during those long winter months. Having a furnace that is functioning poorly is, at best, a drain on the wallet and, at worst, a primary cause of a very uncomfortable living space. Along with a yearly examination, there are a few other things you can do to make your gas furnace Philadelphia friendly.
Philadelphia Gas Furnace "Do's"
Do get your system inspected once a year. While a yearly heating system check up might be overkill in a warmer area of the country, in Philadelphia, gas furnace check ups should be an annual event. Philly's furnaces are forced to work much harder than those in many other cities and are therefore more likely to develop problems after a year of use.
Do get your furnace examined in the summer, when you can fix any problems that might exist without getting left out in the cold. A warm weather exam might even save you money by reducing the travel and labor time a service provider needs to finish the job.
Philadelphia Gas Furnace "Don'ts"
Don't ignore a problem if you notice it. Like any machine, problems with your furnace will only get worse if left unattended. A small problem that you notice could be just a symptom of a very big problem headed your way. In some cases, early detection might make a difference of hundreds of dollars in the final bill.
Don't wait till your furnace breaks down to call in a professional. While in an "emergency" situation, it is certainly possible to get someone out to your home in a hurry, that lightning fast response isn't free.
Gas Furnace Service Costs
A well-maintained furnace can last for decades. In Philadelphia, gas furnace service is usually one or two hundred dollars. When you compare that to installing a new furnace, which can run between four and nine thousand bucks, it's clear that keeping your heating system in good working order is much more cost effective.
In some cases, major repairs are necessary for a heating system to have the best possible output. Older furnaces may need to be retrofitted with newer components in order to meet the demands of your household (and, in certain instances, to meet modern safety standards). If an estimate for your furnace repairs starts creeping into the thousands, it is a good time to look at the prices of replacement units.
High Efficiency Gas Furnaces
By installing a high efficiency gas furnace, Philadelphia residents can save as much as 50% on their heating costs every winter. In some cases, a installing a high efficiency furnace can even mean savings on property taxes, as well. Anyone looking to rid themselves of an old, obsolete unit should take the time to calculate the possible savings a high efficiency replacement could bring. 
Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.