There is no disputing the fact that having a generator is a great addition to a home. In some homes, those where there is life saving medical equipment installed, having a generator for emergency power supply are truly a matter of life and death.
Of course, having a generator and ensuring that it will perform when needed means that the homeowner needs to develop a plan for routine maintenance and generator repair. Without taking precautions there is really no way of knowing if your generator will perform perfectly on demand.
Is there a suggested maintenance and repair time frame?
Manufacturers of standby generators suggest that maintenance be carried out after the unit has clocked 50 running hours. If the generator does not accrue that many hours in a year, then maintenance should be carried out annually regardless of running time. As a generator ages, routine maintenance and generator repair should be scheduled a couple of times a year.
What maintenance should be performed?
To ensure that your generator is running at peak performance there are a number of maintenance procedures that should be performed.
Oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs should be changed. If any oil leak is spotted it must be repaired at the time as many units will shut down automatically in the event of low oil pressure.
Battery failure is a leading cause of generator failure. The charging system must be working correctly and the battery must be fully charged.
Another major problem that can and doe cause generator failure is debris collecting around the unit and blocking the air intake and exhaust. Keeping the area around the generator free from debris is something that the homeowner should be aware of.
Who should perform generator repair and maintenance?
Generator repair I not something that should be attempted by the homeowner. Always rely on the skilled technicians that can ensure your unit is repaired and maintained in full compliance with manufacturer’s specifications.
