Local experts say the reason many in our area stay so cold is because half the homes in our area are so old. Many can't afford to replace their doors, windows, or heating system so they have to work with what they have.

Channel 6 News checked out one home in Johnstown with contractor Lou Mihalko, inspecting the door and windows first. He says have a firm storm door and, if you do nothing else, you should put the weather stripping around the door and seal it up as best as possible."

Inside the home, Mihalko points out a single pane window on the second floor. Cold air is getting in. It needs glaze on both sides for efficiency.

Mihalko says, "You can seal it from the outside using plastic. Stapling the plastic around the outside, you can do it from the inside, you can do it for both."

The switch on your ceiling fan can either give you cold or hot air, pulling the heat down.

Mihalko suggests having a digital thermostat because the older ones don't work well. If you can't switch, keep it low.

Then check your attic, because that is where you lose heat. It could cost $1,000 to insulate the floor by blowing insulation between the ceiling below and the floor. According to Mihalko, there's no cheaper way.

He says, "I think the only way to do this and the only way I would do this is have it blown in. So you have to save money to save money. But you only put the insulation in once."

If you follow these tips, Mihalko says you'll save half on your heating bills this winter. If you need more help to winterize your home, every Saturday in October at 1 o'clock Lowe's stores in Pennsylvania are holding seminars on how to winterize. The company is planning to continue the seminars through November as well.

While everyone says they're trying to address this problem many need help now because it is getting cold. Lawmakers say the most efficient way to immediately keep warm is to tighten up your home by keeping the cold out! While you do this, an additional $15 million is planned for LIHEAP through Governor Rendell's Stay Warm Pennsylvania program.

Senator John Wozniak proposes a tax break on items to make your home energy efficient. Congressman Bud George proposes a power plant and giving state and federal money to community projects for winterizing homes.

Congressman Bill Shuster says, "We have a budget down [in Washington D.C.] that is very tight. We're dealing with Katrina. We've got to make sure that, especially seniors, have the assistance they need to make sure their homes are warm this winter."

Congressman Shuster says additional funding needs to be an effort put forth by everyone. He says the federal government can't fix every problem.

If you need help, organizations tell Channel 6 News there's a waiting list. Community Action's list, for instance, is two years long. Their advice is to winterize your home the best you can and ask for funding help from our government.

You can also call LIHEAP for help at 1-866-857-7095.