Frigid temperatures and snowy weather seem to be around to stay, and preparing your home for winter may save a bit of money when the next heating bill comes.

Snow said one of the most important ways for a homeowner to save money during the winter is simply to change the filter in the furnace and get a furnace tune-up once a year. Filters are usually about $7 to $10 and should be replaced every three months, which can easily be done without professional help.

Even a good air filter should be checked each month to keep good airflow through the furnace, Snow said. Regular filter replacement will help the furnace run more efficiently, and the motor will be less likely to break down.

"If that air filter gets dirty, what they'll notice is the furnace runs all the time and it never seems to heat up," he said.

A common problem each winter is that most furnaces just get dirty. Snow said a furnace tune-up once a year will keep the furnace clean and get more life out of the machine. Although a tune-up costs money, Snow said residents usually break even with the money saved throughout the year on their gas bills.

A yearly tune-up can also have some health benefits. Every year people end up in the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning, which could be prevented, Snow said. The heat exchanger in a furnace is made of metal and develops cracks, which a yearly exam would uncover.

"When you get cracks in that metal, there's nothing to keep the gas from getting into the airstream when the furnace comes on," Snow said. "It's critical. We want to make sure everybody stays safe."

Residents should also have a backup space heater in the event the furnace breaks down after hours. Snow said most companies will charge a hefty fee to fix a furnace in the evening or on weekends.

Also, switching to a digital thermostat will yield a more even temperature, which can save gas money.

Howard Collings, a sales representative for Big City Insulation in Orem, said windows and doors are a problem when it comes to heat loss. Both should be well sealed, and a cheap alternative to replacing poorly insulated windows is just adding a single-pane window on the inside.

Outside windows can also be sealed with caulk, which most contractors do not do themselves. Although replacing windows may cost more money, Collings said a tax credit is available from the federal government for windows that make the home more energy efficient.

Collings said a lot of money can be saved by adding more insulation in the attic. Heat rises and is quickly lost in the attic, and 18 to 22 inches of insulation can save $25 per month on a $130 to $150 bill.

"Most people haven't even looked in their attic," he said. "If their house is more than 10 years old, there is probably only minimal insulation."

Parley Hellewell, owner of PPM Plumbing, said not much needs to be done to prepare pipes for the winter. Most pipes are not in danger of freezing, except those connected to the outside wall.

"Take your hose off your outside spigot so it doesn't freeze and break," he warned.

When the hose is on the spigot, there is too much pressure in the spigot for all the water to drain. If the hose is left on through the winter, the water in the spigot will freeze. The faucet extends a foot into the home, and an owner would not know there is a problem until spring, when the home is flooded.

If a homeowner is going to leave home for an extended vacation, Hellewell suggests simply turning off the water. If a pipe breaks while the owner is gone, the home may be flooded by the time the owner returns.