5 Tips for Maintaining Your Home Generator

[vc_row row_height_percent="0" back_color="color-xsdn" overlay_alpha="50" gutter_size="3" column_width_percent="100" shift_y="0" z_index="0" shape_dividers=""][vc_column column_width_percent="100" gutter_size="3" style="light" overlay_alpha="50" shift_x="0" shift_y="0" shift_y_down="0" z_index="0" medium_width="0" mobile_width="0" width="1/1"][vc_column_text]Just like any other household appliance, your standby generator needs regular care and maintenance. Whether you use an electric generator, a diesel generator, a portable generator or a gasoline generator, make regular maintenance a priority.

Regular maintenance prevents problems. A well-maintained standby generator is safer, more efficient and will last longer. It consumes less fuel, needs less frequent repair, and is less prone to breaking down.

Here are some tips to keep your home standby generator in tip-top shape.

Change Your Standby Generator’s Oil Regularly

Make changing your generator oil a part of your regular maintenance plan. Changing your standby generator’s oil regularly will reduce friction between the different components of the engine, preventing them from overheating.

Industry experts recommend changing the oil every 50 to 200 hours. When determining the oil change interval, check your owner’s manual. You should also consider important factors such as the brand of your generator, the environment it operates in, and how frequently you use it.

It’s important to note that air cooled generators should not run continuously and should be shut down for 4-6 hours every day or every other day.  During that time the oil should be checked and topped off if needed as they were not designed to run continuously.

Keep Your Generator Clean

About once a month, you should inspect your generator to make sure the unit and its surroundings are clear of debris. Dust, dirt, debris and other contaminants can collect over time. Dirt and dust can affect the efficiency of your generator and may even cut short its service life.

Perform Visual Inspections

Start by checking the overall condition of your generator. Look for loose wires, frayed connections, corroded elements, and malfunctioning buttons. Fix any loose or stuck parts. Repair frayed wires.

Tighten loose bolts. Visually check the gasket head and piston. Replace as required. Check the oil and coolant levels and top up if required. Visually inspect the battery and its housing for signs of corrosion or leakage. Check the terminals and wiring for wear and tear and damage.

Monitor Your Home Standby Generator’s Self Cycle

Regardless of whether you are using a diesel generator or an electric generator, it should run a test cycle every week. Monitor the self-cycle. If no lights come on, you have nothing to worry about.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

Have an expert inspect and maintain your generator at least twice every year. During a tune-up, your technician will look for current and potential problems. The professional will address current problems and nip potential issues in the bud.

During a tune-up, the technician will perform important tasks such as:

• Changing the oil and oil filter
• Cleaning/replacing the spark plugs (as required)
• Testing the fuel
• Inspecting the cables, battery and wirings
• Replacing the fuel and air filters

Need help with generator installation in Sonoma County or need help deciding the best type of standby generator for your home? Look no further than Summit Technology Group. We will develop an installation plan and make sure everything goes according to it. To learn more, call 707-542-4773.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]