Heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense, and the tried-and-true methods of coping that people have been using for years are starting to lose their effectiveness when it comes to keeping cool.

Long-term fixes take time and planning, and fall is actually a great time to get some projects started.

Home improvement and construction

Let the recent memory of sweltering days be the motivator to get your HVAC system checked, because fall is one of the cheapest times of year for those types of projects. Take advantage of the lowered demand, which drops prices and wait times.

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(MORE: How to keep mice out of your home before the first cold night)

Improving the insulation in your attic is another great way to prepare for future heat waves as well as the incoming cold of winter. Not only will the insulation help keep you warm in the winter; it will also help keep the sun's heat from getting into your house from the top down.

And following that top-down theme, fall is widely considered the best time of year to replace your roof. Opt for a "cool roof" and use materials that reduce the amount of solar energy your roof will absorb in warm months.

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Going green(ery)

Mild fall temperatures are also ideal for landscaping and planting shade trees and other plants that can provide another layer of natural insulation for your home. Planting in the fall allows roots to establish themselves for the brutal heat of summer, as long as you pick plants that can survive the winter.

(MORE: 4 fall home tasks that actually matter – and the costs if you skip them)

By placing new plants in front of any west-facing windows, you can keep some summer sun out of your home and keep things a little cooler.

Sara Tonks is a content meteorologist with weather.com and has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, along with a master’s degree from Unity Environmental University in Marine Science.