As the fall season approaches, it’s crucial to prepare your home standby generator for the upcoming winter. Proper maintenance not only ensures that your generator runs smoothly but also protects your home from unexpected power outages during harsh winter weather. In this blog post, we’ll share 5 tips for maintaining your generator this fall and why it’s essential to service it at least once a year, especially before winter.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Maintaining your home standby generator is not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity. Experts advise scheduling annual maintenance at least once a year, and fall is the perfect time to do it. This routine maintenance ensures that your generator is in optimal condition before winter storms hit, reducing the chances of unexpected malfunctions during a power outage.
Inspect the Battery and Connections
One of the most common causes of generator failure is a dead battery. During your fall maintenance check, inspect the battery for any signs of corrosion and test its charge. Additionally, ensure all electrical connections are secure and free from rust or debris. This simple step can prevent issues when your generator is called into action during an emergency.
Change the Oil and Filters
Regularly changing your generator’s oil and filters is vital to keeping the engine running smoothly. Dirty oil or clogged filters can lead to inefficient performance and even damage the generator over time. Fall is the ideal time to perform these checks and ensure that your generator is ready for extended use during winter.
Test the Generator’s Load Capacity
Before winter, it’s important to test your generator’s ability to handle the power needs of your home. Run a load test to ensure that it can manage the electrical load required during an outage. This step helps identify any potential issues early and ensures that your home standby generator is ready for winter’s challenges.
Clean the Air Filters and check the Coolant Levels
Regularly cleaning out the shell of the generator for Air-cooled units to prevent larger debris from getting in the air filters. Maintaining proper coolant levels is essential for preventing your generator from overheating during extended use (This only applies for liquid cooled generators). Additionally, check and clean the air filters to ensure optimal airflow. Clogged air filters or low coolant can hinder your generator’s performance and lead to costly repairs.
Protect Your Home This Winter with Oregon Generators
Don’t wait until the first winter storm to find out that your home standby generator isn’t working properly. Schedule a maintenance check with Oregon Generators today to ensure your generator is fully prepared to keep your home powered through the fall and winter.
