How to Perform Home Generator Maintenance

In areas of the nation that experience severe seasonal storms--one of the most valued pieces of equipment for most homeowners--is their home electric generator. Whether permanently installed or portable--generators are there for you when you need them most--in times of power outages. But, what good are they if they aren't kept in tip-top shape? The last thing you want to happen is for a storm to roll in and your generator not be ready for duty when called upon. Follow these simple maintenance steps--and the next time a storm hits and cuts the power to your neighborhood--your home generator will be keeping the fridge cold and the lights on--so that you can calmly and comfortably weather out the store until the utility company arrives.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. For all intents and purposes, maintaining a home generator is very similar to maintaining your car's engine. In fact, most quality generator motors are manufactured by automobile companies like Honda, Ford and others. So, the first step is to check the oil at the start of the winter and summer seasons and replace the oil filter once a year.

2. Replace the air filters on your home generator annually, just like with an automobile.

3. Inspect all of the belts for wear, cracks or dryness. Bad belts can cause your generator to perform less efficiently and ultimately overheat the motor. The belts on a generator should be replaced every couple of years to maintain optimum performance.

4. If it's been a while since you last checked your generator, then it's time you drained the antifreeze from the radiator and replenish it with fresh liquid. If you allow the old fluid to stay inside the radiator, it can cause deterioration, which will negatively affect your generator's lifespan. Ideally, you should replace the fluid prior to the start of your area's severe storm season.

5. Keep the area around your home generator as clean as possible. Trim any weeds that may be growing up around it and try to keep it as dust-free as possible.

6. Check the owner's manual that came with your home electric generator and look for the manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule. This will indicate what should be done to the unit after so many hours of operation. For instance, after 200 hours of generator operation, some manufacturers suggest that you have all of the connections on your generator checked for stability.

Tips & Warnings

• Always perform generator maintenance when the unit is NOT in operation. Turn OFF the transfer switch to prevent any accidental startups.