The unseasonably balmy weather in the first half of winter may have lulled some people into ignoring the inevitable arrival of arctic air.

Now that more typical winter weather has arrived, spring seekers should heed the 2005 Old Farmer's Almanac, which warns of frequent snow and very cold temperatures from mid-February to early April.

With an average temperature of 24 degrees predicted for February and a maximum low of eight below zero, some consumers will probably strive

to avoid high heating bills like those experienced in 2004.

One method some people use to save heat in their homes, said Bill Kennihan, owner of Kennihan Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning in Butler, is to close the vents in unused rooms.

But instead of concentrating heat, the closed vents prevent air from circulating properly and cause wear-and-tear on the furnace.

"That's the worst thing they could do," said Kennihan. "They think they're saving the money, but they're not."

In some cases, agreed Mike Schneider, co-owner of Schneider's Heating in Butler, that unheated room could have the opposite effect, helping instead to chill the heated portion of the home.

Schneider said while it may make sense to close off entire floors or large sections of sprawling homes when occupied by a single person, closing off just a room doesn't make sense.

Schneider and Kennihan agree that with most types of furnaces, turning down thermostats at night and for extended periods during the day will also save money.

"A programmable type thermostat is good. It does give some savings," said Kennihan. "I wouldn't take it down more than five or six degrees, because it's going to take too much energy to bring it back up. So the energy you saved, you lost.

"As far as (turning it down for) an hour here, an hour there: it's a waste of time," he added, advising that savings are only realized when temperatures are lowered for longer periods.

Jay Dawson, vice president of legal at T.W. Phillips Gas and Oil Co., agreed that lowering temperatures will save money. But like Schneider and Kennihan, Dawson said there is no reliable way to measure how much money is saved.

"There is so much variability. Obviously if you have a very efficient home, there may not be any significant difference with a degree or two.

"It's tough to say how much," he added, "because it varies with the size and location of a home: If you live on the crest of a hill (and get the) full brunt of winter wind, it will be much more costly to heat," he said, contrasting the scenario with one of a home nestled in a valley or an apartment situated between other heated units.

Ideally, Schneider added, proper insulation - especially in the attic where heat is prone to escape after rising - is the key way to cut costs, since just a small section of uninsulated space will serve as a conduit for heat loss.

By hiring a heating professional or renting equipment available at building supply stores, Schneider said cellulose, or fine particles of recycled paper that have been treated with a fire-proofing agent, can be blown into homes to reach the more remote corners of attics and walls. This type of insulation is often less costly and more effective than fiberglass batting in eliminating those hard-to-reach conduits, he said.

As building codes evolve, newer homes are more likely to contain proper insulation as well as energy-efficient appliances, he said. But consumers should realize too much insulation can also cause problems - sometimes aggravating allergy problems when air exchange is lacking. Air quality is decreased when fresh air is lacking, he added.

"The best way to save energy is to wrap up your house as common-sensely as you can," he said, adding that plastic coverings are recommended for single-pane windows. "(But) you can't very well put your house in a plastic bag. Homes have to breathe. There has to be an even balance of outgoing and incoming air.

The best way to achieve this is to install an air-to-air heat exchanger, which is designed to bring fresh air in and expel stale air at a controlled rate, he said.

Schneider also said replacing older furnaces with higher efficiency models will conserve resources and lessen the chance of breakdowns in the coldest months.

Humidifiers, Schneider added, are also a way to maximize available heat in a home. "Humidifiers make you feel warmer," he said. "Your skin isn't as dry. It has moisture to it, so your body doesn't lose heat as fast. You feel warmer."

Schneider, Kennihan and Dawson all pointed to preventative maintenance, which includes annual service calls and monthly filter changes, as a way to ensure safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness of furnaces.While the service calls ensure settings are calibrated for optimum efficiency, the filter changes will also help. "If the filter can't breathe, it can't get heat out into the home," Schneider said.To ensure safety, Kennihan urged homeowners to avoid stacking items, especially combustible items, near the furnace."You don't want any combustibles in the house," he said, explaining substances like paints and paint thinners should be stored elsewhere. "And I would highly recommend a carbon monoxide detector."Schneider agreed, saying the detectors were among the most inexpensive safety devices available. "You want smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors," he said. "Gas is most dangerous - especially without proper ventilation. You can get carbon monoxide (even) with a stove if it is not working properly."Schneider said buying up-to-date equipment is also something homeowners should consider. Newer furnaces tend to operate at higher efficiency and malfunction less often, he said.Newer furnaces also conserve energy. Some are even programmed to shut off in the event of a problem rather than continue to operate if safety is at risk."A lot of problems stem from neglect. It is not unusual to see a gas furnace that is 40 years old," he said, explaining that customers are often upset at paying for repairs on outdated furnaces but hesitate to replace them."We wouldn't drive a 40-year-old car, but we'll sleep over a 40-year-old furnace," he said.Eagle correspondent Bryna Zumer contributed to this story.

The cost of heating can be difficult to bear for those without adequate incomes.In such cases, programs exist to offset utility expenses and to help with weatherization projects.Income eligibility requirements vary from program to program, but some allow families to earn as much as 300 percent of the poverty level under federal income guidelines.Here are some programs available to residents of Butler County.Utility companies in the county also offer assistance to customers in need.<B>LIHEAP ENERGY ASSISTANCE</B>The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program uses federal funds to help eligible consumers pay their heating bills. The program offers a one-time grant per heating season and is available to renters and homeowners. Eligibility allows for income that is 135 percent of the poverty level, which means a family of four can earn $2,121 per month. To learn more about LIHEAP, call the Butler County Assistance Office at 724-284-8855.<B>DOLLAR ENERGY FUND</B>The Dollar Energy Fund is available to customers of People's Natural Gas, Equitable Gas, Columbia Gas, T.W. Phillips Gas & Oil, Duquesne Light, West Penn Power, PA American Water and the City of Pittsburgh Water. The fund is available to consumers in danger of losing their utility service or whose service has been turned off. Applicants must have already applied for LIHEAP funds. Eligibility allows for income that is 200 percent of the poverty level, which means a family of four can earn $3,142 per month. For information on the Dollar Energy Fund, contact Catholic Charities at 724-287-4011.<B>LIHEAP CRISIS</B>LIHEAP Crisis provides assistance to people who are out of deliverable fuels or whose service is going to be terminated by a regulated utility. A maximum of $300 per customer is available per heating season.Eligibility allows for income that is 135 percent of the poverty level, which means a family of four can earn $2,121 per month. To learn more about LIHEAP crisis, call the Butler County Assistance Office .<B>LIHEAP WEATHERIZATION</B>LIHEAP Weatherization provides assistance for weather-related heating emergencies like furnace repairs, water heater repairs and broken windows and fuel lines. Eligibility allows for income that is 150 percent of the poverty level, which means a family of four can earn $2,356 per month. For information, contact the Butler County Assistance Office.