Caring for your Automatic Standby Generator
Each type of generator is quite different, but the responsibilities remain similar. Here we will discuss caring for home standby generators so that you may consider the responsibilities as you seek a contractor and a generator to suit your power needs.
Liquid Propane and Natural Gas
Propane-fueled generator owners should regularly check the LP tank gauge to ensure sufficient fuel for the home and generator’s needs. When fuel levels reach 20-25%, this level is too low to operate a home standby generator for any length of time. Optimal fuel level for an LP Vapor / Propane customer is 50-80% (suppliers do not fuel more than 80%). When a storm or storm season is coming, checking fuel levels and contacting your supplier to ensure you have fuel or schedule a fuel delivery is wise. With Generac’s Tank Utility Remote Monitor you can view your propane level without having to go outside to your tank.
Natural gas-fueled generator owners should regularly check their supply line to ensure it has not been accidentally cut off. Landscapers, fall, and spring cleanup adventures and the like can unknowingly and accidentally cut off your natural gas supply to your line as they brush by. Because the fuel to your generator should have a separate line run to it, you may not notice until the power goes out, and you feel falsely secure about your generator.
Air to Breathe
Home Standby generators require intake air and exhaust space to perform as the manufacturer has intended and as you expect. Keeping fencing, yard debris, landscape materials, trees, and bushes three (3) feet away from all sides of your generator will improve performance, fuel efficiency and may possibly keep repair and service costs down. Generac’s installation guidelines are for minimally three (3) feet on either side of the generator; also keep in mind that landscaping materials can easily be blown around by the exhaust and end up in your yard instead. During long power outages, the exhaust side of the generator (left as you are facing it) will become very hot. Any landscape materials, leaves, and debris can create enough heat causing them to die off.
Ants, Wasps, Rodents
Animals seek shelter and a home. Your generator housing appears to be a warm, safe place to build a home! For these reasons, we recommend that you inspect the inside of your generator regularly as well as the outside. Ants can cause major damage to expensive control boards (the brains of the operation). Wasps can settle in quickly in the Spring and Summer and threaten service technicians as well as homeowners. Rodents enjoy warmth and will seek the warm engine weekly exercise time of a home standby generator. These rodents enjoy snacking on the wiring inside your generator which can cause expensive damage to your investment. Be alert and watch for signs of danger through environmental conditions like these as they are not covered by manufacturer’s warranties.
Water Hazards
Sprinklers and Power Washers can cause tremendous damage to your generator. While your generator is made to survive strong storms, it was not designed for streams of water to be sprayed at them. Sprinkler systems can throw water up into the generator through the intake and exhaust areas and cause water damage inside the unit.
When bleach and bleach-based solvents are used in power washers and pressure washers on or around the mounted transfer switch of your home it can cause a dangerous situation. The wiring inside your transfer switch and bleach in your power washer can cause a chemical reaction that can cause major damage and potential fire in your transfer switch. If you plan on power washing your home or having a professional do it, make sure to never use bleach solvents and take extra caution around your generator.
Weekly Exercise
Last and most important is the responsibility of checking your generator regularly. Generac makes a wide variety of ways to check the operation of your generator. Weekly checks of the light on the side or inside your generator will tell you the status of your generator. Mobile Link ™ Remote Monitoring is a relatively new monitoring system that allows you and your family members to receive weekly texts and/or emails about your generator’s operation. This is a great option for families who travel a lot, families who want to monitor mom and dad’s generator, etc. When your generator isn’t exercising regularly or exhibits a red light, immediate contact with your dealer is important to prevent further damage and to ensure that you get repaired and are ready for the next power outage.
Maintenance
Just like a car, a generator needs regular maintenance to keep it performing as you expect. Batteries, oil, filter, spark plugs, and air filters need to be changed as prescribed. Additionally, a certified technician who is trained by the manufacturer should regularly perform your service to ensure the gas, hertz, and voltage settings are correct. Just like a car, settings will vary based on use or non-use and will require adjustments. We highly recommend you leave this to the pros! With a manufacturer’s extended warranty regular maintenance and maintenance records are a requirement of the extended warranty. Ask your generator dealer about the specifics and know before you buy!
Hale’s Electrical Service will aid you in walking through these simple steps when you are deciding on purchasing a generator. Home Standby generators have become a very popular investment for securing your peace of mind during storms, normal utility power outages and to protect those you love. As we begin to age and slow down, the convenience of an automatic home standby generator is more about peace of mind. Let Hale’s professionals give you the perfect package for you to Control YOUR Power with a home standby generator by Generac and the peace of mind with Sales, Service AND Repair by Hale’s TEAM of certified professionals! We are Central Virginia’s Generac Power Leader since 2003!
