Maintenance
Month-by-month upkeep for AC, roofs, plumbing, lawns and pests in Florida's climate.
Practical home care for Florida’s Gulf Coast, with sources.
Humidity and mold, hurricane prep, maintenance by month and seasonal care for Florida homes. Every claim links to the agency, extension service or official guidance it comes from.
This month in your Florida home
January
- Once a year: replace 9-volt smoke alarm batteries, and the backup battery in hardwired alarms. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
February
- Check thermostat settings so the system keeps you comfortable at home and saves energy while you're away. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
March
- Spring: schedule the cooling-system check-up before contractors get busy. ENERGY STAR's checklist includes inspecting the AC condensate drain. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
April
- Lovebug season: pairs appear for a few weeks in April–May. Wash them off cars and screens promptly. Source
- Leaving for the summer? Set the AC no higher than 85°F. Turn off the water at the exterior meter unless it's used for lawn irrigation. Turn off the water heater if you'll be gone more than a month. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
May
- Build or refresh your hurricane plan and a disaster supply kit with items to last at least 7 days, before the season starts June 1. Source
- As of 2023, at least 36 Florida counties and 98 more cities and towns had fertilizer ordinances, and some ban nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in summer, often June–September. Check your county or city rules before June. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
June
- June 1: Atlantic hurricane season begins (runs to November 30). Source
- Fertilizer blackouts (where your county or city has one) commonly start now. Check your local ordinance. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
July
- Summer: a plugged AC condensate drain can cause water damage and affect indoor humidity. ENERGY STAR's checklist includes checking the condensate drain. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
August
- Lovebugs return for a few weeks in August–September. Source
- In an average season the first hurricane forms in early to mid-August. Re-check supplies. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
September
- Many local fertilizer blackouts run through September. Check your local ordinance before fertilizing. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
October
- Fall: schedule the heating-system check-up. Source
- Hurricane season continues through November 30. Keep supplies stocked. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
November
December
- Replace any smoke alarm that is 10 years old. Check the manufacture date on each alarm. For sealed 10-year (“long-life”) battery alarms, replace the alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions. Source
- Inspect, clean or change the central AC/heat pump air filter. Source
- Test smoke alarms (press the test button). Source
- Glance at your hygrometer: indoor humidity should stay below 60% (ideally 30–50%). Source
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Published by the Gulf Coast Homeowner editorial team: researched and drafted with AI assistance, checked against official sources and independently reviewed by a separate AI system. We cite primary sources, mark what we haven't verified, and date every check. Read our editorial policy and AI-use disclosure.