Keep these tips in mind to ensure that your whole home generator is prepped and ready for Ohioโs next power outage!
Key Takeaways
- The vast majority of whole home generator models should get professional maintenance service on a yearly basis, or after a certain number of operating hours that coincide with manufacturer recommendations.
- Routine generator maintenance goes a long way to ensure that your system will reliably start up during power outages, and it also extends its functional lifespan.
- Ohio homeowners should also conduct DIY visual inspections on a monthly basis and consider automatic self-tests to run as programmed.ย
- Ohioโs severe weather patterns make preventative generator maintenance particularly important for local homeowners during summer storm season and the entire winter.ย
- Working with Garber Electricโs renowned technicians helps to pinpoint lingering issues before they balloon into expensive repairs.ย
Why Whole Home Generator Maintenance Matters More Than Most Ohio Homeowners Think
Whole home generators are by far one of the most dependable ways to protect families and households from everything that comes with unexpected power outages, but just like any other type of mechanical equipment, they need routine maintenance to adequately perform when needed most.
Leading generator manufacturers like Kohler and Generac typically recommend scheduled maintenance intervals to fully ensure the safe operations of standby generators throughout the systemโs service lifetime.
And if you live in a state like Ohio thatโs known for dramatic weather conditions in every season, routine generator maintenance is especially important for protecting your investments and avoiding unexpected breakdowns during prolonged outages!
How Often Should Ohio Homeowners Get Their Whole House Generators Professionally Serviced?
For the majority of residential standby generator systems, itโs recommended to get professional maintenance once every yearโor after a certain number of operating hours.
Your systemโs exact maintenance schedule will likely vary depending on factors like model and manufacturer, but a solid baseline for most Ohio homeowners is annual servicing.
If your generator has undergone an extended amount of use due to a prolonged power outage, it could potentially require maintenance attention sooner than your regularly schedule appointment. Heavy usage will inevitably increase the potential for engine component wearing, which could subsequently require a filter replacement, oil change or additional inspection.
What Exactly Happens During Generator Maintenance Appointments?
When the Garber team comes to your home for a generator maintenance visit, itโll include a lot more than simply changing the systemโs oil.
Our renowned technicians will thoroughly inspect and service the following:
- Air filter
- Oil/Engine filters
- Charging system & battery condition
- Spark plugs
- Electrical wiring
- Fuel system connections
- Coolant levels
- Control panel diagnostics
- Transfer switch operations
- Overall generator performance
Weโll also verify that your generator operates under normal conditions, starts up properly, and shuts itself down correctly as utility power is restored.
What Ohio Homeowners Should Keep An Eye On In Between Service Visits
Itโs safe to say that professional generator maintenance is absolutely essential, but homeowners also must keep in mind that they should be conducting a few basic checkups throughout the course of each year in between service visits as well.
Some of the common things you should keep an eye on include:
- Making sure landscaping and shrubs donโt restrict generator airflow
- Keeping grass, leaves, and debris away from the unit
- Checking for signs of corrosion and visible leaks
- Listening to the generator during self-tests
- Ensuring that the area around your generator stays clear after heavy storms or snowfall
This type of easy upkeep typically only takes a few minutes, and it can go a very long way toward identifying potential issues before performance is affected!
Why Ohioโs Weather Makes Whole House Generator Maintenance Increasingly More Important
Ohio is known for experiencing a very wide range of weather events and conditions throughout the course of each year, and this includes high winds and serious thunderstorms to frigid sub-zero temperatures and ice storms.
Because whole house generators are often needed during these types of weather patterns, preventative maintenance is subsequently more important for Ohio homeowners in comparison to other parts of the country.
When generators are neglected for too long, they can potentially have trouble starting up when households need them most. This can leave vital appliances and systems like refrigeration, cooling, heating, lighting, and medical equipment in jeopardy during an extended outage.
This is a huge reason why annual maintenance appointments are so valuable, because they give peace of mind in knowing that your system is ready for the unexpected!
Red Flags That Your Homeโs Generator Needs Immediate Service
You should never wait around for you next annual maintenance appointment if youโre noticing anything unusual occurring with your generator system.
Be sure to schedule an inspection appointment with the Garber experts ASAP if your generator is:
- Struggling to start during self-tests
- Leaking coolant, oil or fuel
- Displaying error codes or warning signs
- Producing excessive vibrations or strange noises
- Emitting excessive exhaust smoke
- Failing to start up during an outage
Protect Your Whole House Generator Investment With Professional Maintenance Services From Garber Electric
Whole house generators are specifically designed to give households dependable backup power during prolonged outages, but these systems will only perform at their best when they receive regular maintenance.
Professional services on an annual basis that are combined with routine homeowner inspections will improve a systemโs performance, maximize its reliability, and extend its functional lifespan.
Here at Garber Electric, weโve supported thousands of homeowners throughout Ohio with our state-of-the-art whole house generator servicesโand our experienced technicians are always available when you need repairs, maintenance, or inspections to ensure that your backup power is ready when you need it.
Reach out to us online or give us a call at 614-212-7900 to schedule your next generator maintenance appointment and get your home ready for the next inevitable power outage!