Winter Weather Readiness & Planning for Standby Generators
Standby generators are vital for rural households and businesses during the winter season. During the winter months, bad storms taking out the power can not only be inconvenient – it can be deadly. Standby generators are a fundamental part of day-to-day and emergency operations in the winter months. Because of how important they are, it’s vital that operators prepare for their maintenance and usage over the winter months – before any sort of catastrophic winter storm.
Set a Plan Before the Winter Sets In
One of the best things you can do is to have a plan in place prior to the winter months. If you prepare for the difficult winter months ahead of time, then you won’t have to come up with a plan during an inevitable crisis. This planning should start before the first snowflakes even fly.
Pre-Winter Prep
All those who have a responsibility or expectation to assist with operating the generator in the winter months should be trained in wintertime operation and maintenance. Everyone should be intimately familiar with basic generator issues in cold weather, and how to rectify them. They should also be trained on proper storage and addition of fuel in cold weather, and where to remove snow or other debris away from the generator.
Inspect Your Machine
The generator should be inspected prior to the weather cooling. It should be thoroughly checked for rust, mechanical breakdown, and environmental hazards that may affect its operation during the winter months. Early inspections prior to the winter months will allow you to intervene before they lead to a mechanical failure.
Maintenance as Needed
Any issues found during the inspection phase should be corrected and repaired as needed prior to the winter months. Additionally, you should change the oil and replace the air filters or spark plugs as needed.
Testing
It’s vital that you test your generator and ensure that it’s working prior to any sort of catastrophic winter storm. Your generator should be tested and inspected regularly to head off any potential issues prior to the machine being needed.
Supplies
It goes without saying, but you should ensure that you have sufficient fuel and backup supplies (air filters, basic parts, etc.) prior to the winter months. You may not always be able to get what you need after a bad winter storm!
Make Backup Plans
A plan without a backup isn’t a plan at all. You should have redundant systems. Unlike the summer months, the winter can quickly become deadly without redundant power systems to keep electric heating or pilot lights for gas heating systems on. As a result, you should have backup systems in place in the event that your current systems fail.
What to Do During Severe Winter Weather
While a winter storm is happening, assuming that conditions are safe, you should endeavor to keep the path to the generator clear of snow and debris and remove the same from the generator itself. Portable heating units and running the engine in an idle state can help to keep the compartment warm and the generator functioning if temperatures fall too low.
Post Winter Maintenance
After the winter season, you should inspect your generator for rust from the snow and elements, and for damage from the cold.
At Gen-Tech, our combined decades of power generation experience can help you get the best winter standby generator for your needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.