Posted: August 5, 2024

Maintaining A Generator

Here’s How to Care for Your Unit

Both homeowners and business owners count on and rely upon generators to provide the power they need if and when they experience a blackout. Generators are especially important here in Eastern North Carolina considering we regularly get hit with tropical storms, thunderstorms, hurricanes and winter storms. So you definitely do not want to find yourself in a situation where your generator suddenly isn’t working. Therefore, it is extremely important to take care of your generator even when you’re not using it on a regular basis.

Generator Maintenance To Dos

Luckily, properly maintaining a generator is not hard or complicated. Here are some tips to follow to make the most out of your generator and to keep it working properly:

• You don’t want too much time to pass without your generator being used. So if you have been lucky and haven’t had to use your generator in an emergency, you should power it up. It is best to have your generator on for about 30 minutes every three months. This helps you know that the battery is good to go and keeps fluids moving. It will also make you aware of any small potential problems before they turn into larger issues.
• Remove and replace any old and worn out parts. This will actually help you get more years out of your generator.
• Make sure you store your generator in a safe and secure place. Ideally, this would mean a garage or shed. However, if this is not possible to do on your property and they have to be kept outside, lock them down with chains or padlocks so that they don’t get stolen and so that you don’t have to spend unnecessary money on a replacement.
• Just like most things around our homes, generators need to be cleaned regularly. This is not just a matter of aesthetics – cleaning your generator will actually help it last longer. Clean both in and around your generator regularly or keep it covered when you’re not using it.
• Clean and change your generator’s air filter regularly. This will help keep harmful debris out of the air you breathe.
• Generators tend to get easily damaged seeing as we sometimes use them in extreme weather conditions. So you should regularly check your generator and your generator’s batteries for signs of corrosion, which can lead to your generator not working at all. You should also routinely check your generator to ensure there are no wire connections or clamps that have come loose.
• Keep an extra supply of your generator’s fluid and oil on hand at all times so you don’t have to worry about running out if and when you’re in the midst of an emergency.

Generator Maintenance from Tidewater Energy

Homeowners in Eastern North Carolina can always turn to the pros at Tidewater Energy for generator maintenance. In fact, this is even included in our generator service plans. Our trained service technicians are also available for standby generator installations all throughout the area.

Tidewater Energy can help ensure that your generator is ready for any and every emergency. Contact us today to learn more!