Closing Up Your Florida Home for Summer: A Snowbird Checklist

Bonita Springs waterfront home at golden hour with the title Closing Up Your Florida Home for Summer
By the True North Home Watch team · Updated · Serving Naples, Marco Island & Bonita Springs

Closing up your Florida home for summer comes down to four things: control humidity, stop water problems, prepare for storms and make sure someone checks the home while you're gone. Start about three weeks before you leave. True North Home Watch walks through each step for homes in Naples, Marco Island and Bonita Springs.

Updated

A snowbird checklist is a step-by-step list of everything to do before leaving a seasonal home empty for months. This one from True North Home Watch walks through each step for homes in Naples, Marco Island and Bonita Springs, with guidance from UF/IFAS Extension, the EPA and the National Hurricane Center.

Key takeaways

  • UF/IFAS Extension advises setting the A/C no higher than 85°F so humidity doesn't climb past 55–60%.
  • Keep indoor humidity below 60%, per the EPA. Mold loves a warm, closed-up house.
  • UF/IFAS recommends turning off the water at the meter and the water heater for long absences.
  • Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so secure outdoor items and make a storm plan.
  • Arrange weekly or twice-monthly checks. A home watch report gives you proof the home was looked after.

What should I do three weeks before I leave?

Why schedule an A/C check-up before leaving?

Your A/C is the single most important system in a closed-up Florida home. UF/IFAS Extension recommends having it serviced about three weeks before you leave, so there's time for any repairs. Ask the technician to check the condensate drain line, which can clog and overflow in humid months.

Does my humidistat need calibrating?

If your system has a humidistat or dehumidification setting, UF/IFAS suggests making sure it's calibrated. You want the system controlling moisture, not just temperature.

Why call my insurance agent before I leave?

The Insurance Information Institute notes that many policies limit coverage after a home is empty for 30 to 60 consecutive days. Ask how your policy treats an unoccupied home and whether it has inspection requirements. Our guide to vacant home insurance in Florida lists the questions to ask.

When should I book home watch service?

Set up regular checks now, not the night before you fly. A walkthrough lets your home watch company learn the home's systems, where the shut-offs are and any special instructions.

What should I do the week before I leave?

Area What to do
Refrigerator Remove perishables. Decide whether to leave it running; if you do, have it checked on each visit.
Ice maker Turn it off, especially if you're shutting off the water.
Dishwasher and washer Run them empty, leave doors slightly open to dry, check hoses for wear.
Drains and toilets Make sure everything drains well. Your home watch visits can keep traps from drying out.
Pool Confirm your pool service schedule and any auto-fill settings.
Irrigation Adjust the timer for summer rain and confirm it works if you shut off the house water.
Mail Arrange forwarding or USPS coordination so mail doesn't pile up.
Pest control Keep your regular service going. Pests move in fast in an empty home.

What should I do the day I leave?

  1. Set the A/C. UF/IFAS Extension advises no higher than 85°F. Another UF/IFAS Extension article suggests 80 to 85°F. Higher settings can let humidity climb past 55 to 60 percent, and the EPA recommends keeping it below 60 percent.
  2. Turn off the water heater if you'll be gone more than a month, as UF/IFAS suggests. Follow your manual. See our water heater vacation mode guide.
  3. Turn off the water at the meter, as UF/IFAS recommends for extended absences, or set your smart shut-off valve to away mode.
  4. Unplug small electronics you won't need, and leave the A/C, refrigerator (if running) and any security system powered.
  5. Close blinds or shades on sunny windows to reduce heat gain.
  6. Lock every door and window, including sliders and the garage, and set the alarm.
  7. Leave a list for your home watch company: thermostat settings, shut-off locations, alarm company contact and your preferred vendors.
Bonita Springs waterfront home at golden hour with a pool and boat dock

How should I prepare for hurricane season before I leave?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The National Hurricane Center says the peak is around September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. That's the heart of the time most snowbirds are away.

  • Bring in or secure lanai furniture, planters, grills and anything that could blow around.
  • Decide who will install and remove shutters if a storm is named, and put it in writing.
  • Photograph every room and the exterior before you leave. It gives you a baseline for any claim.
  • Store important papers and your policy information where you can reach them from up north.
  • Set up a plan for priority inspections before and after a storm.

True North's Hurricane Protection Package covers priority pre- and post-storm inspections, securing reasonable outdoor items, photo documentation and insurance claim assistance for a flat fee per storm. We can also coordinate your shutter company.

What about my car, golf cart and boat?

Golf carts

Club Car's storage guidance says to leave the charger plugged in during storage if you can. If not, disconnect the batteries. Check the water level in each cell, clean the terminals with an acid neutralizer, put the tow/run switch in TOW and store the cart in a ventilated space. Trojan Battery notes that flooded batteries can self-discharge up to 15 percent a month at 77°F, so a charged battery matters.

Cars

AAA suggests using a battery tender, adding fuel stabilizer to a full tank, sealing openings against rodents and keeping the car insured. Check your owner's manual for tire pressure guidance during storage.

Boats

Arrange your marina or dock plan for storms. A home watch company can add a visual check of your boat, lift and dock lines.

True North can start your car or golf cart during visits, and our vehicle and golf cart assistance keeps them ready for your return.

Is there a quick version of this checklist?

Here's the short list to keep on your phone:

  • A/C serviced three weeks out, set no higher than 85°F on departure
  • Insurance agent called, home watch booked
  • Fridge cleared, ice maker off, washer and dishwasher left open to dry
  • Water heater off (if gone 1+ month), water off at the meter or smart valve set to away
  • Mail handled, pest control and pool service scheduled
  • Outdoor items secured, shutter plan in writing, photos of every room taken
  • Car on a battery tender, golf cart charged and in TOW
  • Doors, windows, sliders and garage locked, alarm set, instructions left for your home watch company

What should happen while I'm away?

Closing up the home is only half the job. The other half is making sure it stays the way you left it. A True North home watch visit covers 24 checkpoints inside and out, including temperature, humidity, the A/C, leaks, under-sink areas, pests, doors, windows and storm damage.

You get a timestamped photo report after every visit. If something needs attention, we call you right away and can coordinate a vendor with your approval. See plans and pricing on our home watch services page.

When fall comes, our pre-arrival checklist helps you open the home back up.

Closing up for the summer?

Book a free walkthrough before you leave and enjoy your summer knowing True North is watching your home.

Get a Free Quote Call (239) 301-8657

What do snowbirds ask about closing up a Florida home?

Should I unplug my refrigerator for the summer?

That's a personal choice. If you unplug it, empty and clean it and leave the doors propped open so mold doesn't grow inside. If you leave it running, have your home watch company check that it's cold on every visit. True North checks the refrigerator and freezer on every visit.

What temperature should I leave my Florida home at for the summer?

UF/IFAS Extension advises leaving your air conditioner set no higher than 85°F, because higher settings can let indoor humidity climb past 55 to 60 percent and lead to mold. Another UF/IFAS Extension article suggests 80 to 85°F. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent.

Should I turn off the water when I leave Florida for the summer?

UF/IFAS Extension recommends turning off the water at the meter when you'll be away for an extended time. If you do, turn off the water heater first and plan for anything that needs water, like irrigation or an automatic pool filler. A smart shut-off valve is another option.

Should I turn off my water heater for the summer?

UF/IFAS Extension suggests turning off the water heater if you'll be gone for more than a month. Follow your manufacturer's instructions for your model, especially for gas water heaters.

How do I store my golf cart for the summer in Florida?

Club Car's storage guidance says to leave the charger plugged in during storage if possible, otherwise disconnect the batteries, check water levels in each cell, clean the terminals, and put the tow/run switch in TOW in a ventilated space. Check your own cart's manual.

When should I start closing up my Florida home?

Start about three weeks before you leave. UF/IFAS Extension recommends an A/C check-up about three weeks ahead so there's time for repairs. The final week is for water, appliances, outdoor items and security.

Who should check my Florida home over the summer?

Someone you trust should check the home regularly, ideally weekly during summer and hurricane season. A professional home watch company like True North Home Watch inspects the home on a set schedule and sends a timestamped photo report after every visit.

Sources