When a storm hits or the grid fails, a standby generator is the difference between a normal evening and a long one. Installing the system is not enough to guarantee it works when the time comes. Batteries lose charge, fuel and oil degrade, filters clog. Here are six reasons to schedule a professional checkup every year.
Over months of standby the battery loses charge, fluids settle and connections loosen. A technician tests the battery under load, checks fluid levels and electrical connections and simulates an outage to confirm the transfer switch responds. The alternative is discovering the problem when the grid is already down.
A standby generator is a significant investment. Belts, hoses and filters age even when the engine rarely runs. Fresh oil, lubricated parts and replaced filters reduce friction and heat, and a well-maintained engine can serve a property for 15 to 30 years.
A small fluid leak, a frayed wire or an unusual vibration might not seem serious until the unit is running under full load for three days. An annual inspection with diagnostic tools finds these early, when the fix is a part rather than a rebuild.
Clogged air filters, old spark plugs and degraded oil make the engine work harder and burn more fuel to produce the same power. During a long outage, when propane deliveries may be limited, that efficiency matters. Tuned equipment also runs cooler and quieter.
Manufacturer warranties generally require documented periodic service; skipping it can leave you paying for a covered failure. Generac's owner's manual sets oil and filter changes every 200 hours or two years, and every 100 hours or one year in continuous hot-weather operation. The visit also checks for gas leaks, exhaust integrity and proper grounding.
The reason to own a standby system is to stop worrying about the grid. Knowing a technician has tested and documented the unit this year lets you watch the forecast without wondering whether it will start.
Gen-Power services Generac, Kohler and other standby generators across Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island and Southwest Florida. Call with your model and last service date, or request a visit online.
Generac maintenance schedule adjusted for Florida's heat and hurricanes. Schedule A, B, costs, DIY vs pro, and a pre-hurricane checklist from a PowerPro Premier dealer in Southwest Florida.
Read the guideA clear plan starts with answers you can use.
Ask our teamGenerac specifies service every year or every 200 hours of operation; in Florida heat and after long outages the interval shortens.
Oil and filter change, spark plugs, battery test under load, a load test, inspection of connections and fuel system, a Mobile Link check and a written report.
Manufacturer warranties generally require documented periodic service; a failure caused by neglected maintenance may not be covered. Keep the service reports.
A new generator, a service visit or a question about your system. Start with a conversation.
(239) 674-3569Prefer to write? office@genpowerco.com
