You may need to have your generator working for you at any time of the year. Most people think of generators leaping in to help because stormy weather has caused a disruption in power. However, even summer can present grid failures when the demand for power (usually from air conditioners) rises too high. You can never be too careful when it comes to a generator, because you want to be able to place your trust in it. Peace of mind is one of the great benefits of a whole-house generator, and that’s all spoiled if you don’t think you can trust it to work when you actually need it to.
Regular Generator Maintenance
There isn’t a specific “season” to arrange for maintenance for a whole-house generator. It needs to be done once a year, and spring is as good a time as any—especially if the generator had to come on during the winter at some point. Any time a generator has to go to work, it should have maintenance soon after to check its components such as battery connections and fuel supply, look to see if the battery can hold its charge, and examine the unit for signs of corrosion due to age. Generators don’t run often, so the strain placed on one when it does operate might lead to issues.
Spring often brings storms with it, and this is a time when a generator will come in handy. Taking the time early in the season to keep it in prime condition is always a good idea. If it’s been a year since your last generator maintenance, this spring is the right time to schedule the work.
Although there are a few simple steps you can take to maintain your whole-house generator, such as cleaning off the cabinet, all other maintenance jobs must be left to professionals. A whole-house standby generator is a complex device, and since most run from natural gas, they can present a safety hazard if non-professionals attempt to tamper with them.
Generator Repairs
Maintenance gives technicians an opportunity to spot places where a generator may need to have repairs done. You never want to delay when it comes to repair work, since even a small repair will start to worsen over time—and yes, this deterioration occurs even if the generator doesn’t come on! Technicians can take care of problems such as a failed battery, a fuel leak, a drop in coolant, or damaged electrical relays and connections. All of these repair issues are ones the maintenance technician will catch.
You may need generator repair after maintenance, although often a technician can take care of the repair as part of the inspection and tune-up. We can arrange for repairs to be completed at the earliest possible convenient time so your generator is in the best shape for the next time you need it. We also offer emergency generator repair for when the problem cannot wait—generators are there for emergencies, and so are we!
Wm. Henderson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. serves Delaware County & The Main Line, PA.