Image by Generac
As much as you might want it to be, your home generator is not a set-it-and-forget-it piece of equipment. It takes some maintenance and upkeep to ensure that it’s in shape for an emergency.
Generators are small combustion engines. Just like a car, they need oil changes, upkeep, and exercise.
But they often sit idle between emergencies, leaving owners without power when they need it most.
Let’s take a look at what you need to do to make sure you have backup power the next time the lights go out.
Exercise Your Generator Once A Week
You should start up your generator once a week. Running it for a quick 15- or 20-second period is all you need to make sure it’s lubricated and keep moisture off the coils. Just as a car that’s never driven will eventually stop working, your home generator needs to run on the regular.
Run It Longer In The Spring And Fall
Twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, run your generator for about 45 minutes to burn off excess fuel.
When your generator is running, listen for strange sounds, smoke, unusual vibrations, leakage, and a loss of oil pressure. If you notice any of these signs, call in an electrician to get it fixed.
Change The Filter
Your generator has an air filter that needs attention. Clean or replace it every 100 hours of operation to make sure dust and dirt don’t get into the system.
Perform Yearly Maintenance
According to Generac, the company we use to supply our customers with backup power options, your home generator needs yearly maintenance.
They recommend:
- Inspecting your home generator for water intrusion.
- Inspecting your generator’s battery.
- Doing a fuel system leak test.
- Looking for corrosion in your generator.
- Changing your oil and oil filter.
Their website has plenty of DIY tutorials so you can take care of these yearly tasks yourself.
But if that’s too time-consuming or intimidating we have another option for you.
Our Home Generator Maintenance Plan
Once a year, we send out service technicians to check our customers’ generators and make sure they’re in good working order before winter rolls around.
We:
- Change the oil
- Replace the oil filter
- Replace the air filter
- Clean the battery terminals
- Wash the exterior of the unit