The end of summer brings on the chilly air of fall, a reminder that the winter is right around the corner. There’s no better time to start prepping your home for the frigid months than right now! On top of making sure your home will withstand even a treacherous season, these changes will help you save on your utility bills, too.

1. Give Your Heating System a Tune-Up

Hire a professional to inspect your heat pump or furnace. They’ll ensure that the system is in good shape and clean so that it works efficiently all season long. If you’re in need of furnace repair, consider a company like HomeSmart from Xcel Energy instead of trying to make the changes yourself.

2. Reverse Your Fans

Your ceiling fans are probably used all spring and summer to keep the air as cool as possible. In the cold months, you can reverse the blade direction so that the fans push warm out into the room. During the fall and winter, your fans should run clockwise to produce the updraft, pushing hotter air down. You’ll especially notice the difference in the rooms with high ceilings.

3. Check Out Your Shingles

Head up to the roof – or hire someone to go up there – to look for loose, missing or damaged shingles, which could leak when snow starts melting. If necessary, have shingles repaired now, before it’s too late.

4. Clean the Gutters

While you’re up there, clean out your gutters. When your gutters aren’t cleaned up, water can damage the roofing, siding and trim, and it can also lead to ice dams and leaks.

5. Rake Your Roof

If you have a flat roof, rake it off to clear it of leaves and pine needles, both of which can hold moisture.

6. Insulate Your Windows

If there are gaps in your window frames, apply exterior caulk. Use silicone caulk on the exterior of your home, which can stand up to the elements. You may also want to add weather stripping to your doors.

7. Insulate the Doors

You can put exterior caulk in the door frames, too, but weather stripping is probably going to be more effective. If there are small gaps in the door joints, you can use caulk. You’ll know you’ve sealed them properly when you can no longer see daylight pouring in.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to make these necessary changes and upgrades to your home. You don’t want to find out that you have a leaky roof or poor insulation by finding mold in your attic or getting a high utility bill.