How to Keep Your Generator Healthy

Generators are among that class of systems that absolutely have to work when needed. They are only activated in serious situations, often emergencies, which means that if they don’t work when needed all sorts of dire consequences can result. If you have a generator installed on your property, you should make sure that you take whatever steps necessary to ensure the system remains in good condition. The following are just a few tips to ensure that your generator is healthy enough to be there for you when you need it.

Schedule Maintenance at Least Once a Year

It can be difficult to spot problems in many home systems at the best of times. By the time you do notice symptoms of a problem, the issue likely will have already caused some level of damage. It’s even more difficult when it comes to generators, which are only ever used during situations where they need to work. Finding out that your generator doesn’t work in the middle of a blackout is not a good place to be.

The best way to make sure that your generator is healthy enough to work when you need it is to schedule maintenance appointments at least once a year. A maintenance appointment allows your technician to locate any problems with the generator, and resolve them before they develop far enough to cause serious damage. This will dramatically reduce the odds of a serious problem affecting the system, and can even increase the energy efficiency of the generator. If you want to get the most out of your generator maintenance appointments, you should schedule them shortly before the season where you plan on needing the system.

Proper Generator Upkeep

Whole-house generators tend to be pretty self-sufficient. They often have their own fuel lines, and turn themselves on or off without needing input from anyone. If you have a smaller manual generator, though, there are a couple of steps that you should take personally to make sure that it stays in good condition. First, make sure that any time you are operating the generator it is located in a place with plenty of ventilation. Second, if the system runs on gasoline you should replace the contents of the tank on a fairly regular basis. It’s not exactly common knowledge, but gasoline can go stale. If that happens, your generator won’t be able to start, even with a full tank.

These are just a handful of tips on keeping your generator healthy over the years. As always, we recommend that you consult with a professional in-person if you want to receive more personalized recommendations for the kind of generator you’re using. Contact your contractor today, so you can make sure that your generator is in good shape this coming season.