Power outages in the U.S. tend to happen during the summer months, and these instances usually last between one and eight hours. When it happens, you want to make sure that you have a standby generator you can use. The lack of power can affect different parts of your home. For instance, without power to the sump pump, your basement can flood.
So, it’s important to maintain these to ensure that they last a long time.
Standby Generator Maintenance Tips
Standby generators automatically start when the power goes out and turn off when the electricity supply is back. They are usually fueled by natural gas or propane, and are integrated into your home’s electrical system.
You should run a brief self-test on your standby generator to make sure that it’s working properly. See if the unit ran correctly and has no alarms or warnings. Make sure that your generator is in “auto mode” so it will automatically start up when there’s a power outage. Check if the batteries terminals are clean and intact. Moreover, have it serviced by a reliable generator contractor at least twice a year.
Generator Safety Tips
Some generators can run on gas or propane and emit hazardous carbon monoxide (CO). You must use your generator properly, and place them in a well-ventilated area to prevent CO buildup. Don’t place your generator near windows or locations where there is air intake. Also, it’s always a good idea to regularly check if your CO detectors are working properly.
Where you place your generator fuels also matters. Keep fuel in secured areas, and limit access where it is stored. Only use fuel that’s recommended by the manufacturer, and keep it away from the generator while the machine is running. Also, only refuel once the generator is off and has cooled down.
For quality home standby and whole house generator systems, turn to Jeff Woods Construction of Crossville, TN. Call us at (931) 787-9107, or fill out our contact form to get a free in-home consultation. We serve homeowners in Kingston, TN.
