Unfortunately, your generator doesn’t care what time of year it is. The time of year is essential because if the power goes out, that generator could be what keeps your family warm. To make things worse, the cold weather during wintertime wears on a generator and requires a little extra effort to maintain it and keep it ready to go. It’s worth the maintenance to know that the generator is in working order and will turn on and keep the house warm if the time comes in the cold of winter.
Spot Check
Give the generator a regular once-over. Doing a simple spot test on the various components should be enough to help spot any outstanding issues. If a part looks to be faulty or like it may soon break, it likely needs to be replaced now. Just being conscious of what’s going on with generator components can make a big difference in preventing any issues.
Be Familiar
It is good practice to put the generator to regular use to help maintain its parts. While running the generator a few times a year, it is best to take notice and learn how it works. It’s better to know a little about the generator, including how to turn it on, where the fuel goes, and where it is located on your property when the time comes to use it. It may require a flashlight when the time comes, so having one nearby may be a good idea.
Oil
Generators use oil just like automobiles. Knowing where the oil needs to be, how to check the levels, and how to change it are a part of ensuring it will run when the moment presents itself. Regularly check and change the oil in your generator. The manual or instructions on the generator should advise the type of oil to use and how to change it. Buy extra oil to keep nearby, so it’s available when change is required.
Gas
The generator requires gas to run, and gas goes bad over time. Be sure to know if there is gas in the generator and approximately how old it is before using it. Gas that sits for long periods is exposed to air and loses potency. Fuel stabilizers can be added to fuel to help it last longer in the container or the generator. Bad fuel will not work as efficiently and may cause damage to the generator’s components.
Manual Transfer Switch
A manual transfer switch is a valuable tool for maintaining your generator and electrical safety. A manual transfer switch can connect your home directly to your generator when switched on rather than keeping it connected to the neighborhood electrical grid. Being able to isolate power and switch between the generator and the grid can help protect workers repairing the electricity in the area and help prevent the generator from overloading when the regular power returns.
Call An Electric Professional
It’s crucial to have a working generator, and it’s a relief to know the generator won’t be just another problem when the time comes to use it. If you need any generator maintenance, want to buy a new generator, or need to replace an old one, consult the professionals. Contact the electricians at Morrill Electric to get expert guidance and service for all your generator needs. Give us a call at 978-388-1522.