Home Generator Maintenance Made Simple
A generator is the kind of appliance that most people want to set and forget. Unfortunately, that approach is likely to lead to a machine that is likely to function at sub-optimal levels at best, or outright fall into disrepair at worst. Like any piece of machinery, your generator needs regular maintenance to run at maximum efficiency. Thankfully, the lion’s share of this maintenance can be performed by the homeowner with little to no mechanical know-how required on their part.
Oil
Just like with your car, you should change the oil in your home generator semi-regularly. Generally speaking, you should change the oil at least once a year regardless of whether or not you’ve made use of the generator. If you have had to make use of your machine, you may have to change the oil more regularly. The owner’s manual should tell you what the manufacturer recommends in terms of oil change frequency after a set number of running hours.
Spark plugs
After a couple of years of use, you should consider changing out the spark plugs with new, clean ones. Installing new spark plugs can help your generator to continue running at peak efficiency.
Change the air filter
Just like the spark plugs, the air filter can get so dirty after a couple of years that you may want to replace it entirely. A dirty air filter can dramatically lower the efficiency of your generator. Changing it out for a new one can help increase the fuel efficiency of your generator and keep it running in top form for longer.
Check the battery
Your generator runs in a very similar way to the engine in your car. While it uses fuel to turn the turbines and produce the electricity that you need, it needs a battery in order to get started. The battery can begin to corrode or leak over the years though. Additionally, the charge contained within it may naturally decrease over time. If the battery has completely depleted by the time you need to make use of your generator, then you won’t be able to get the engine to turn over. As part of regular generator maintenance, you should periodically check the battery for leaks and corrosion. You should also periodically make use of a battery tester to ensure that the battery still has sufficient charge within it to turn over the engine. If it doesn’t, replace it.
Keep it clean!
If the area around your generator is filthy, you may develop issues with blockages and poor air intake. Additionally, the heat or sparks put off by the generator can present a fire hazard if there is too much dry brush or plant material around the machine. You should ensure that the area around your generator is free of debris. Additionally, you should take care to periodically inspect the machine for rust or other signs of weather damage that may cause it to break down over time.
At GenTech, our combined decades of experience can help you to find the best power generation solution for your specific needs. Give us a call today for a free consultation.