How Scheduled Generator Maintenance Benefits You

Think back to some of the reasons you decided to install your generator. Maybe you own a business and wanted to avoid having to close due to loss of power. Maybe you rely on electricity to power a medical device. Maybe you just wanted the convenience of keeping the lights on during a storm. Whatever your reason, it’s likely that the reliability of your generator was important in your decision-making.

Generally speaking, generators are used for emergencies, and not on a daily basis. Because of this it can be easy to forget about your generator until you need it. But like any emergency supplies, your generator should be checked on a regular basis to be sure it’s in good working condition for when an emergency arises.

Why do I need a professional to service my generator?

Most generators run an automatic self-check cycle occasionally, so this does give you some peace of mind in knowing the status of your generator. However, just like your car can’t change its own oil even though the “change oil” light may be on, your generator can’t maintain itself. It can only tell you that it needs to be maintained.

During your scheduled generator maintenance, your generator service professional will perform a variety of checks depending on the model, age, and how many hours the generator has been operating. Some common checks and services include the following:

• drain water from the separator
• drain the exhaust condensate trap
• replace the air cleaner element
• replace fuel filter
• replace coolant filter
• inspect cooling system hoses
• test basin leak detection switch
• check electrical lines between the generator and the house

While there may be some basic generator maintenance you can do yourself, it’s a good idea to have a licensed electrician perform a checkup and maintenance to your generator at least once a year before storm season. Regularly scheduled generator maintenance checkups ensure that when you need it, your generator will be ready to go.

If you haven’t already scheduled generator maintenance, give us a call to schedule an appointment. Contact us to find out more about our generator services today.