The days are growing shorter, the leaves are changing colors, and the temperatures are cooling down—fall is here. The season is perfect for creating memories with your loved ones, but it is also an excellent time to take care of some vital home improvement projects. Sure, raking leaves is probably on the agenda, but don’t forget to tackle some of these additional chores this autumn.

Paint your home’s exterior

Fall is the perfect season to give the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint thanks to the mild temperatures and reduced humidity. If you have the time, you may be able to complete this project on your own, or you may want to hire a professional painting company, especially if you have a large, multi-story house. This project will give your curb appeal a significant upgrade, and painting your home’s exterior can have a return on investment (ROI) of up to 51 percent. If your entire house doesn’t need repainting, instead focus on touchups or the trim.

Prep your fireplace

A good rule of thumb is to have your wood-burning fireplace checked by a professional chimney sweep once a year. A professional can clean the inside of your chimney to remove materials, such as soot and creosote, that are common causes of house fires. They’ll also check to make sure the chimney cap and damper are working correctly, as well as point out any masonry damage. If you have a gas or electric fireplace, this is a great time to clean it and make sure everything is working correctly.

Clean your gutters

Your gutters have the significant job of channeling thousands of gallons of water away from your home each year, but they can become clogged with everything from leaves to dirt, which may lead to water backing up onto your roof or inside your home. So, take time to inspect and clean your home’s gutters. You may want to wait until later in the season to perform this task to avoid leaves ruining your hard work, or you can install a mesh guard that will prevent leaves, twigs, and other large debris from creating blockages.

If you have older gutters, you may consider replacing them. This is not only a practical upgrade but also an appearance enhancer that can improve your home’s curb appeal.

Prep your furnace

With winter on the way, autumn is the perfect time to get your furnace ready for the colder months ahead. Make sure to change your furnace filter, as debris caught in the filter may reduce airflow and cause an energy deficiency. Fall is also a great time to have your heating system checked by a professional to ensure it’s prepared to run efficiently throughout winter.

Seal drafty areas

Gaps around door frames and windows allow cold air to enter your home, raising your heating expenses. However, you can block these drafts by repairing the caulking and weather-stripping around your home. An easy way to discover drafts entering your home is by holding a lit candle up to various spots around a door or window, and watching the flame for any flickering. You may also want to upgrade the insulation in your attic or crawlspace, two areas that can easily allow heat to escape your home.

Organize your garage

Your garage may become a catchall space for various outdoor items, including bikes, patio furniture, and lawn care equipment. However, you can avoid this clutter by organizing your garage. Make use of the wall space with cabinets and shelves to open up floor space. However, ensure any storage you install can sufficiently hold the weight of the items you’re adding. You can also use ceiling hooks to keep items like bikes out of the way.

Make this fall a productive season by adding some of these home improvement projects to your to-do list.