If you are a Florida Snowbird traveling back after winter up north, there are a few things that you should do to keep your A/C and home in good working order.

1. Replace Your Air Filters

A dirty air filter can put your A/C out of commission if you immediately start running it without removing the buildup of dirt from the summer months. If you are gone for several months or most of the year, you may want to consider hiring someone to come and check on everything and do the maintenance work to keep everything working.

2. Program Your Thermostat

To control humidity while you are gone make sure to set your thermostat at 77 degrees before you leave, this will prevent mold damage during the hot (not to mention, rainy) summer months. If you have humidity to control the humidity, set it at about 58%. Mold damage starts to set in when the RH (relative humidity) exceeds 66%. You can also purchase a dehumidifier, and the best strategy is to have one for every 1,000 square feet.

3. Schedule Annual Maintenance

Even if there isn’t anything wrong with your air conditioner unit, it is a good idea to have regularly scheduled maintenance to avoid future problems. Have the unit cleaned and inspected either before leaving or immediately upon return to make sure it is operating at maximum efficiency. Identifying worn or broken parts could save you from a costly replacement by catching the problem early.