The whole point of an automatic standby generators is to provide you with a back-up in case trouble arrives, and sometimes you can’t always be sure when you’re going to be hit with a blackout or other situation requiring your generator’s use. But in many cases, you should have some warning that trouble is coming — ominous weather is hardly a stranger to Boerne, TX — and when you get a little heads up, it’s important to check on your generator and perform certain simple steps to ensure that it will perform as needed when trouble strikes.
Troubleshoot
The easiest step to take in anticipation of an electrical emergency is to simple troubleshoot your system. Check the wires for corrosion and ensure that the fittings are clean and tight. Make sure the vent is unobstructed so the generator can release exhaust and keep the area around it clear. Depending on the type of generator, you may need to reach it during a bad or awkward time — in the middle of the night, for example, or during a pounding rainstorm. Make sure the path to it is unobstructed and can be reached easily. Finally, run the generator for 15 or 20 minutes to make sure it’s in working order. If you haven’t had it maintained in a while (and there’s enough time to schedule a servicing), have a trained expert give it a once-over just to make sure everything is ship shape.
Fuel Up
Fuel is a major concern in the event of trouble. You should know not only what kind of fuel the generator takes but how quickly it consumes it. Older generators tend to be less fuel-efficient than newer ones, so you should always take that into account, and regardless, have enough fuel standing by to last for 4-5 days at least. In addition, make sure everyone in your family knows how to check the fuel status of your generator, and how to refuel correctly in the event they need to.
Generators save lives in a crisis. Call the pros at D’Spain to hear more.
