Home Generator Maintenance Tips
As the fall season approaches, it’s crucial to prepare your home standby generator for the colder months ahead. Proper generator maintenance not only ensures reliable backup power but also protects your home from unexpected power outages and costly generator repairs during harsh winter weather.
In this blog, we’ll share five home generator maintenance tips to help you maintain optimal performance and prevent issues before winter arrives. With a little routine maintenance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is ready for any power outage or emergency situation.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Maintaining your backup generator is not just a recommendation—it’s essential. Experts advise scheduling regular maintenance at least once a year, ideally in the fall, to keep your unit in peak condition before winter storms strike. During a professional inspection, a certified technician will check vital components, including the fuel system, transfer switch, and electrical connections, to ensure your generator works properly when needed.
This routine maintenance helps prevent generator failure during an outage and keeps your system operating efficiently for an extended period.
Inspect the Battery and Connections
A dead or weak generator’s battery is one of the most common problems homeowners encounter. As part of your fall generator maintenance, carefully inspect the battery for corrosion or loose electrical connections. Clean any buildup on the terminals using a soft brush, and verify that all wires are tightly secured. Testing the battery’s charge periodically ensures your standby generator starts up instantly when you need backup power.
If your generator fails to start, it’s often due to a neglected battery or corroded wiring. Regular checks and cleaning can prevent this issue and protect you from being left in the dark during an emergency. This small step helps maintain your generator’s performance and can save you from a costly generator repair down the road.
Change the Oil and Filters
Just like a car engine, your generator’s engine relies on clean oil and properly functioning filters for smooth operation. Over time, oil breaks down and filters become clogged with dirt, reducing efficiency and leading to potential damage. Performing oil changes and replacing the air filter and fuel filter each fall keeps your generator in optimal performance condition.
For long-term reliability, use high-quality fuel and consider adding a fuel stabilizer if the generator will sit unused for an extended period. This prevents the fuel supply from degrading or clogging the fuel lines, which can affect startup. Whether your system runs on propane or gas, clean filters and fresh oil ensure your generator delivers reliable power whenever it’s needed.
Test the Generator’s Load Capacity
Before the first snowstorm hits, conduct load testing to verify that your standby generator can handle your home’s electricity needs during an outage. This process simulates real-world demand, ensuring that your backup generator provides sufficient power for essential appliances without straining the engine.
During the test, listen for strange noises, check for vibrations, and monitor the system’s performance. If you notice anything unusual, contact a trained technician for a professional inspection. Testing your generator periodically helps identify potential issues early, ensuring you have reliable power when it matters most. This proactive approach can also prevent spoiled food, frozen pipes, or other inconveniences caused by power outages.
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.
If you own a liquid-cooled Generac generator, check the coolant and fuel system levels according to the owner’s manual. Keeping coolant at the proper level helps prevent overheating during regular use or long runs. Never operate your generator in enclosed spaces—always allow for ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide buildup. With regular inspections and careful upkeep, your well-maintained generator will continue delivering reliable power and customer satisfaction season after season.
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.