September is National Preparedness Month and it serves as a reminder to make sure you and your family are prepared should a disaster occur. Your family should have an emergency plan, that includes alternate meeting locations should your home be inaccessible, as well as a communication plan should you find yourselves separated. You will want to practice different scenarios and make sure everyone knows where they should be going, what they should be doing, etc. Because an emergency could be quite scary, you’ll want to practice your emergency plan often, so your children will remember what to do.
Now is also a great time to make sure your home is prepped for an extended power outage and the backup generator is ready to tackle the job, should it be called into service.
Whether you own a portable generator or a standby generator, there are some important regular maintenance must-dos to make sure your machine is running in tip top shape. It’s always best to consult the owner’s manual and follow the suggested regular maintenance and service schedule for your specific unit. Some tasks that should be performed are:
- Checking the oil and changing it based on the suggested manufacturer’s recommendation
- Cleaning the spark arrestor screen
- Replacing the air filter
- Replacing the spark plug
Portable Generators
Portable generators are a great, affordable way to provide temporary electricity to your home. They are not designed to power your entire house, including your heating and cooling systems or other items that draw large amounts of power. They are great when you need to run critical items during a power outage such as refrigerators, lights, fans, phone chargers, etc. The following maintenance tips are suggested for portable generators:
- Store the generator is a clean, semi-dry location where it won’t be susceptible to excess amounts of dirt, dust, or moisture. When in use, try to keep it covered from the elements, but do NOT run it inside of a closed area.
- Keep the unit clean. Use a damp cloth, sponge, or brush to remove any dirt and debris. Don’t hose the generator down with water.
- If the generator will not be used regularly (every 30 days or so) Empty the fuel and add fuel stabilizer. Run the unit for 15 minutes or so to ensure it works its way through the system.
- For generators with an electric start, make sure to keep the battery charged during long periods of storage. A battery tender may be a good option.
- Start and run your generator every quarter for at least 10 – 15 minutes to keep everything working properly.
Standby Generators
Standby generators are designed to automatically kick in when your electricity goes out and turn off when it comes back on. They are fueled by natural gas or propane and are connected directly to your home’s electrical system.
- Most standby generators will run a self-test once a week to make sure everything is working properly. You will need to verify the tests were done and no warning lights or alarms were triggered.
- If you want your generator to fire up when the power goes off, make sure that it is in “auto” mode, so it will automatically start up.
- Check the enclosure monthly to make sure there is no buildup of debris or dirt. Also, ensure no animals have made a home in or around the enclosure.
- Check the battery and make sure the terminals are tight and clean.
- Have your unit serviced annually by an authorized service dealer.
Many people don’t think about their generator until they need to use it. Making sure that it’s ready when you need it, no matter what the reason, will give you peace of mind so you can focus on keeping you and your family safe.
Did you know that Baribault Fuel also sells propane? We can make sure your propane tank never runs with our automatic delivery option!
