An electrical generator can be the lifeline of your family in the aftermath of a bad storm or power outage.
If you’ve read through the manual for your home’s standby generator, you’ve probably seen tips about keeping the equipment in shape with tuneups. When your life gets busy, you may be tempted to skip these steps. However, regular tuneups can help you avoid a breakdown in a generator when you need it the most. Oil, filter and spark plug maintenance might be on the agenda, depending on the machine in question.
Maintaining a Home Generator
Throughout the year, your home generator will run periodically to keep its parts in working order. Whether or not you have used the generator, it will be active in your home on low-level cycles. Check to see if it is ready for operation every six months.
Every machine will have specific instructions for tuneups, but all generators have common maintenance routines. Generators require oil changes with every 200 hours of service, at most. If you recently required your generator to run for over a week, it’s likely that you need an oil change.
In generators, spark plugs have about one year’s worth of life, so these might need to be replaced, as well. Finally, air filters may hinder the operation of a generator when they become clogged and should be replaced.
Electrical Generator Quality Checks
Generators are lifesavers when your home’s power has failed. The circumstances surrounding widespread outages in the Atlanta and Buckhead areas can be dire. While having a backup generator is the best defense against these situations, going without regular tuneups undermines the effectiveness of the equipment.
The primary reasoning behind tuneups is ensuring there is never a moment when, after your power fails, you don’t know the condition of the generator. However, maintenance goes beyond temporary concerns. Generators running with clogged air filters or an old oil supply will be forced to work harder. Ultimately, that shortens the lifespan of the generator and reduces the value of your investment. Figuring out when to schedule maintenance often helps.
Scheduling Electrical Generator Maintenance
If you are not accustomed to changing air filters and replacing old oil in your home’s standby generator, HVAC specialists are adept at handing the job for you. Experts can provide recommended oil types and air filters that fit. At the same time, HVAC pros can advise you whether your spark plugs need to be replaced.
One easy way to schedule generator maintenance is combining annual HVAC maintenance with a look at the generator. A home energy audit that identifies weaknesses in your home’s insulation and ductwork will also provide an ideal time to look into generator tuneups. Qualified technicians can typically handle the work in under one hour.
Reliable Heating & Air helps homeowners in the Atlanta and Buckhead areas make it through outages, ensuring generators are ready to kick into action. If you’re concerned about the efficiency of your home’s generator, call Reliable’s experienced technicians for fast and affordable service.
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