If your home is prone to power outages due to severe weather or power grid failures, a whole-home generator is a great investment. When it works properly, it will keep the lights on and your essential appliances running during an unexpected blackout. It still requires regular maintenance to work properly when you need it, though. Here’s what proper generator maintenance entails and why it matters.

Why Maintenance Matters

Proper generator maintenance prevents issues such as clogged fuel lines, dead batteries, and dirty filters that can render it useless when you need it. It also catches minor problems that can be fixed before they turn into costly repairs or a complete equipment breakdown.

Keeping your generator in good shape gives you peace of mind during storms or power outages. You can be confident that lights, heating, refrigerators, and other important systems will keep running. This is especially critical if you have individuals in your home who are vulnerable, such as infants, seniors, or those living with significant medical complexities.

Key Generator Maintenance Tasks

Maintaining a generator isn’t all that different from maintaining any other complicated machinery. First of all, it requires regular oil changes. Most manufacturers recommend that you change your generator’s oil after every 50 to 200 hours of operation, although your owner’s manual will provide a more specific timeline. If you don’t use your generator that often, we still recommend at least one oil change every year.

If you have a gasoline-powered generator, you will also need to check it for fuel line clogs, leaks, dirty fuel filters, and other issues caused by degraded fuel. Adding a fuel stabilizer will help prevent fuel degradation, especially if you don’t use your generator very often.

Your batteries will also need to be tested and replaced regularly. Testing batteries involves checking voltage levels, cleaning connections, and otherwise making sure that your battery has enough power to start your generator. Most generator batteries last between two and three years, but they should be replaced before they’re completely depleted.

Finally, your generator’s cooling system should be inspected regularly. The cooling system prevents your generator from overheating after prolonged use, and it is prone to issues such as leaks and blockages if it is neglected.

Now is the time to make sure you can weather any power outage. If you have a generator for your home that hasn’t received a tune-up and inspection recently or if you’re interested in installing a generator in your home, call Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical in Tualatin, OR today.