If you’re paying extra care to moisturizing your skin and taking extra care of your hair in the winter but aren’t doing anything about that generator that just won’t start, read on. Cursing the generator won’t work—what works is knowing how you need to go about generator maintenance.
Oil Change
First in the list, this one is kind of obvious: generators, like cars, will start malfunctioning if you don’t change the oil. If there’s one thing you need to know about oil, it’s this: it tends to accumulate. Leave it in without changing it for too long and it will end up causing problems with your generator. The trick is to be diligent about your oil change. Set a reminder if needed.
Fuel Stabilizer
Fuel stabilizer is a must have for generator usage in the winter. The idea is to keep the fuel fresh for storage. If you’re serious about increasing the lifespan of your generator, you should consider changing the fuel. Take out old fuel and put in fresh gasoline. Stabilizers also help keep your generator working for an extended period of time. Basically, if you aren’t using the generator until the next winters, stabilizing fuel will ensure it work efficiently when you do use it. This liquid solution is the elixir your generator might not want—but the one it needs.
Check the Generator Regularly
Just like you’re diligent about scheduling regular visits to the doctor every few months, you need to conduct maintenance checks regularly when it comes to your generator. Don’t wait until a power outage forces you to check what’s wrong with your generator. Make sure you’re keeping an eye on fuel, filters, and the oil from time to time. Failure to do so results in a generator that works inefficiently or dealing with a generator that wouldn’t work at all.
Transfer Switch
If you haven’t considered a transfer switch yet, you should. It helps you connect a generator to your wiring securely. Basically, with a transfer switch your generator and utility power won’t have to share the same circuit.
A transfer switch will isolate your generator power from the utility lines. This protects your generator and eliminates the hassle of several extension cords spread out between the generator and the house.
If All Else Fails
While the snow has pretty much melted everywhere by now (and we do mean everywhere, even in the Arctic) winter is (always) coming. And if you feel that your generator might not be prepared to withhold the next one, get in touch with RHK Electrical in Cypress, Texas. Give us a call at +1 832 948 6019, and we’ll help you fix it.