Whether you’ve recently purchased a standby home generator or you want to keep your existing backup power source in good health, generator maintenance is a key ingredient in the recipe for success.
In fact, it’s just as important as finding the right unit for your family’s needs. Here’s why prevention is the best form of protection, along with the best steps to complete it.
Why invest in preventative generator maintenance?
Before committing to any preventative generator maintenance schedule, you will naturally want to confirm that it is worth your time and money. Some of the most telling factors to consider are;
- Preventative maintenance will help your standby generator last longer.
- Keeping your unit in good health all year means that it will be ready to provide its service whenever you suffer a power loss from the grid.
- Preventative maintenance saves you money by maintaining improved efficiency and replacing faulty parts before any damage escalates to other parts.
- Some aspects of generator maintenance combat safety risks like carbon monoxide poisoning caused by snow blockages and other threats.
- Regular generator maintenance provides peace of mind for all the family.
For the sake of the immediate and long-term health of the unit, you must not get this wrong.
Home preventative measures for ongoing generator maintenance
Michigan is blessed with good power infrastructure, but the testing climate conditions can lead to outages in rural areas and busy cities alike. First and foremost, your generator should be installed by a professional to establish the strongest foundation. Following this, you can complete the following simple steps to keep your unit in top shape;
- Run it for at least 10 minutes every 1-2 weeks, especially when the unit hasn’t been required for power outages.
- Keep falling leaves, animal nests, and debris from entering the vents and filters while ensuring the unit is well ventilated too.
- Change the oil at every 50-hour mark of operation while also keeping the fuel stabilized.
Embracing a proactive approach from the moment your standby generator is installed will serve you well for many years to come.
Arrange for regular professional generator maintenance services
Ongoing preventative maintenance can help you promote optimal performance levels. However, you also need to stay on top of any minor faults and correct any issues before they pose a threat to the system or your family. Periodic maintenance should be completed every 6-12 months depending on how much the standby power has been used.
A professional generator maintenance team can provide a comprehensive service that includes but is not limited to;
- Inspecting all gas line connections.
- Confirming that the output voltage is correct.
- Verifying that your unit is capable of serving the intended wattage function.
- Testing the output frequency, as well as the ga pressure.
- Replacing oil and changing/cleaning filters.
- Inspect the operational sound and temperatures for optimal efficiency.
- Inspect the battery, its terminals, spark plugs, and all grounding systems.
- Check the ATS, as well as the ‘auto’ features.
- Check for any signs of fuel or fluid leakages.
- Add wax, lubricants, and other items to the external housing.
A professional generator maintenance strategy may also involve a range of extra features depending on the circumstances.
Join a generator maintenance program
When looking to keep your standby generator unit in great health, the most convenient solution is to join a dedicated maintenance program. For a small monthly fee, you can benefit from periodic maintenance as well as extra help as and when required. This unlocks all of the aforementioned rewards and will protect your finances, assets, and peace of mind.
Generator Supercenter offers a generator maintenance program starting at just $37 per month, which will protect you with the best service in Michigan. To learn more, contact our friendly agents today.