In the realm of home emergency preparedness, having a standby generator ensures that your home remains a safe and comfortable sanctuary, even during power outages. Regular maintenance is crucial to guarantee the reliability and longevity of your backup power source. This guide provides essential maintenance tips specifically for homeowners with Generac and Kohler generators, as well as general advice applicable to all brands of home standby generators.
The Importance of Standby Generator Maintenance
Routine annual maintenance of your home standby generator is not just about ensuring it’s ready to operate in an emergency; it’s also about safeguarding your investment. Proper care can prevent costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your generator, ensuring it provides uninterrupted service when you need it most.
Maintenance Tips
Home standby Generators known for their reliability and ease of use. To keep your generator in top condition, consider the following maintenance tips:
- Check the oil level: Generators are equipped with a low-oil shutdown feature to protect the engine, but ensuring the oil level is within the recommended range is essential for optimal performance.
- Inspect the air filter: A clean air filter is critical for efficient operation. Check the air filter every year. Keeping the generator clear from debris helps the life span of the air filter as well.
- Test run your generator: Weekly test runs help ensure that your generator will start and operate correctly during an outage. This also allows the engine to lubricate itself and prevent moisture buildup. Many home standby generators already perform this automatically for you. If you don’t hear it run weekly or bi-weekly, give us a call, there’s a chance there’s a problem with the generator.
- Battery maintenance: The battery is vital for starting your generator. Check the battery’s state of charge and terminals annually to ensure a reliable start.
- Intake and Exhausts system check: Every generator has a small engine inside of the generator casing. So, making sure that your intake and exhausts are cleared from debris is important. Getting leaves, dirt, and other types of debris stuck inside can prevent the generator from performing correctly. Cleaning the inside of the aluminum enclosure is enough to maintain generator performance.
General Maintenance Advice for All Standby Generators
Beyond brand-specific advice, several maintenance practices apply universally to all home standby generators:
- Regular professional inspection: Annual inspections by Washington Generators can identify and rectify issues that may not be obvious to the average homeowner. This will also help with any potential warranty claim that might come up.
- Keep it clean: Ensure the generator and its surroundings are free from debris and dirt. This prevents overheating and promotes more efficient operation.
- Record keeping: Keep a log of all maintenance activities, including test runs, part replacements, and professional inspections. This history can be invaluable for troubleshooting and ensuring your generator is maintained according to schedule. When you enroll in a maintenance plan with Washington Generators, we keep track of these records for you. Giving you additional peace of mind.
The Value of Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your home standby generator, whether it’s a Generac, Kohler, or another brand, is an investment in peace of mind. By following these tips, you ensure that your generator remains a reliable source of power, ready to protect your home and family during unforeseen outages. Remember, the cost of maintenance is minimal compared to the cost and inconvenience of a power outage that catches you unprepared.