With summer winding down, there’s certainly plenty to look forward to. Cooler air, beautiful leaves, and full steam ahead towards snow, to name a few. Give Autumn the kickstart it deserves by making sure you have a clear view of the beautiful scenes to come with these simple home maintenance tips.

1. Check Your AC

Although you won’t be using your air conditioner once it starts getting cold, you should do a little bit of postseason AC maintenance to make sure all is well before it sits unused for the next six months. If there are issues, depending on what they are, you may need to fix them immediately to avoid an even costlier repair down the line. Otherwise, you might be fine waiting until next season. Either way, checking up on your air conditioning unit can help you better maintain it. It can even help it last longer.

2. Safety First 

Carbon monoxide isn’t just dangerous. It’s also impossible to detect on your own because it is both odorless and tasteless. When it comes to the safety of your family, don’t just stop at installing carbon monoxide alarms and be sure to test them as the need arises. Now is the perfect time to check your home’s carbon monoxide detectors and their batteries. While you’re at it, give your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers a good look, too.

3. Don’t Forget the Roof 

Don’t wait until the snow starts to pile up to take care of your roof. Making sure that your roof is clean and clear of debris will help with both the safety and the aesthetic of your home. You should also keep an eye out for holes that may serve as an invitation for leaks or drafts of air, and check to see that your gutters are also clear of leaves and any other blockage. Backed up gutters aren’t just annoying to clean—they can damage your foundation and cause flooding to your home if left on its own for too long.

4. Clean Your Windows and Doors 

Falling leaves and their change in color is just around the corner. Deep clean your windows, inside and out, paying special attention to screens and door jams. Banish chilly drafts for good by installing insulated curtains or adding a door snake. This is also an ideal time to give your window wells one final deep clean before the frigid airstrikes.

5. Clean the Fireplace 

Get a head start on your home’s chimney maintenance and consider hiring a chimney sweep to ensure that your chimney is free of any damage and that all is in working order. Even a small crack can turn into a bigger problem if it isn’t dealt with promptly. By making the most of your fireplace, you can cut down on both the use and the cost of natural gas this winter, so you can stay warm and save money.

6. Get the Furnace Ready

Before you actually start using your furnace, you should do a checkup on it to make sure it will run smoothly for the next few months. Preparing your furnace prior to regularly turning it on will help you identify any potential problems and nip them in the bud so they aren’t big issues later on in the season. If you do see anything that seems suspicious, there are a few furnace-specific troubleshooting steps you can take that might fix the problem. Otherwise, you should call a professional to take a look so you don’t end up with a broken heater when it’s cold outside.

7. Tend to the Yard 

Taking care of your end-of-summer yard maintenance early can save you a lot of trouble and money this winter. For starters, it’s always important to trim any tree branches that may pose a problem once they are weighted with snow. This is especially true if they hang over the roof, a fence, or even power lines. You should start to tweak your watering and mowing habits. Bring your potted plants inside and give your annual blooms a little TLC before their reappearance next year. 

8. Play Exterminator 

Last but not least, get ready to tackle the pests as they start to head inside for the season. Invest in a few good traps and family-friendly sprays. Vectors for illness, such as mosquitoes and ticks, are especially annoying, so do what you can to keep them from coming in at all in the first place.