If you have a whole-house generator, caring for it is paramount to keeping it operational in the case of an emergency. The last thing you want to happen is for your generator to struggle turning on in the case of a power outage.
Hurricane season is in full swing, and we are at the peak of the season. Give us a call for whole-house generators in Madison, Florida, and we can help you with everything from maintenance to repairs. You can also keep reading to learn some of our tips for maintaining your generator on your own in between annual service appointments.
Regular Testing
It’s a good idea to test your generator every one to three months. You can do this by completely turning the power off to your home at the electrical panel. Your generator should turn on automatically to power your home. Let it run for 10-15 minutes.
During this time you can walk around your home and test appliances and lights to make sure everything is working. If you notice anything unusual or have outlets that don’t work, note them and give our team a call. There may be a problem with your generator or your electrical panel.
Either way, we can get down to the root of the problem and come up with a solution. Once your test is complete, turn the power back on to your home and monitor your generator as it cycles back off. Before each test it’s also a good idea to check oil levels to make sure they are adequate.
It’s normal to have to refill the oil after completing these tests even if your generator hasn’t been in use for an actual emergency power outage.
Pay Attention to Problems
Your generator should never smell bad since it connects to secure natural gas lines and has a ventilation system in place. If you do smell gas or something similar to rotten eggs then there may be a leak somewhere in the gas lines. A burning odor can point to components overheating or an electrical problem somewhere in the system. Either of these is a reason to schedule a service appointment right away.
If you notice lights flickering or interruptions to technology receiving electricity, it may not be powerful enough to accommodate the power needs of your entire home. It’s also possible that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.
It’s easy to think that you can turn off some of your lights or electronics to lessen the load on your generator. But doing this means ignoring a larger problem. It’s better to schedule a service appointment and address your concerns now. Taking preventative action can prevent your system from having problems during a true emergency.
If you inspect your generator and notice visible damage on the exterior, that’s a red flag. There may also be damage on the inside as well. Things like cracks, dents, rust, and corrosion can have a major effect on your generator.
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