The heat is on its way to our area, and you know what that means ... extra stress on both your budget and your cooling system. To save yourself from the heat and hassle of a cooling system meltdown -- which not only saps the body, but also the wallet -- here are a couple of very simple preventive maintenance tips you need to implement before the hot summer months are upon us.Check and Change FiltersPerhaps the easiest possible preventive maintenance you can do to help save wear and tear on your system and cut down on those high summer bills is to make sure your air filters are changed and are the proper size. Dirty filters restrict airflow into the system and make your cooling system work that much harder to keep your home at the temperature you want. Keeping dust and dirt out of your cooling system is key to having an efficient system that lasts longer, so when you change the filters, double check that they are the proper size. Also, the most expensive filters, doesn't always mean high efficiency. Sure, they might filter more dust, but by doing so, they can restrict air flow.Seal Your HomeAnother bit of preventive maintenance you can do is to check and make sure that your home is properly sealed. Stopping cool air from escaping, and warm air from entering, your home is vital to preserving the life of your cooling system and keeping those summertime bills as low as possible. Check the obvious areas, such as the ones around doors and windows, but don't forget to check the not so obvious areas, such as the attic or basement. Once a leak is detected, it is a simple matter to seal up the leak using caulk or foam sealant that can be found at any local hardware store.If you aren't sure how to use these items to seal your home, or how to check for leaks, contact a professional contractor for assistance. Summer and winter are the busy seasons, so don't hesitate to contact one as soon as possible.Contact Air Assurance for more preventive maintenance tips and other expert advice. We are always happy to answer any questions you might have.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.