Ohio is known for severe storms and an unpredictable electrical grid, which is why whole house generators are growing in popularity!
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends routine generator inspections and testing on a yearly basis to ensure that backup power systems are well-maintained before severe weather seasons.
- Ohio experiences many weather-related power outages each year, and Ohio homeowners regularly face power interruptions during the spring season.
- Springtime is prime storm season in Ohio as high winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain all increase the overall likelihood of outages.
- Key whole house generator tune-up steps include battery checks, inspections and load testing.
- Professional generator services from Garber Electric go a long way to help Ohio homeowners avoid expensive breakdowns.
Why The Spring Months Matter For Whole House Generator Maintenance In Ohio
It’s no secret how springtime in Ohio comes with a wide mix of unpredictable weather patterns. Strong winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are all likely to roll through the state this time of year—which just so happens to frequently lead to disruptive power outages.
For homeowners who already own whole house generators, this time of year is an essential window for preparations. This is because when your generator system is properly maintained, it helps guarantee that your home stays properly powered up through any and all sudden outages.
And the results of whole house generator maintenance include protecting your property’s valuable assets—including your HVAC system, essential medical devices and refrigerated food!
What’s Typically Included In A Spring Whole House Generator Tune-Up Appointment?
Every spring generator tune-up job is designed to thoroughly ensure that your home’s system is fully operational well before peak outage season hits the Ohio region.
This is why professional service appointments with the Garber Electric specialists always include the following key steps:
- Full Generator System Inspection: Our technicians will first and foremost inspect your whole house generator for any signs of visible wearing, loose electrical components, and corrosion that might interfere with long-term performance.
- Filter & Oil Replacements: Clean filters and fresh oil will support your generator’s efficiency, and it’ll also reduce potential engine wearing.
- Fluid & Coolant Checks: Proper generator fluid levels are vital for preventing issues like overheating, and these checks will also thoroughly protect your system’s internal components.
- Battery Testing: It’s normal for Ohio’s cold winter months to weaken whole house generator batteries, which makes the spring months the ideal time for ensuring that your system’s batteries are still fully reliable.
- Load Testing: This all-important maintenance step helps verify that your generator will be equipped to handle the overall electrical demands your home requires during an outage situation.
When Ohio homeowners combine these tune-up steps together, they’ll ultimately ensure that their generators will run smoothly and start up quickly when they’re needed most!
Common House Generator Issues That Occur Shortly After Winter
It’s widely known how Ohio’s winter seasons can be pretty tough on all outdoor equipment, and this includes house generators.
Even if you haven’t touched or used your unit in a long time, it’s always possible that our region’s cold temperatures and moisture buildup can take a toll on your system by the time spring rolls around.
Some of the most common wintertime issues that our technicians find during spring generator tune-up appointments include:
- Fuel quality issues related to generators sitting unused for prolonged periods
- Battery degradation from exposure to cold weather all winter long
- Clogged air intake systems and filters
- Rust or corrosion on vital electrical components
When Ohio property owners accurately identify and resolve these issues early on in the spring season, they help prevent all sorts of unexpected failures during spring and summer storms—as well as rolling blackouts!
The Top Benefits Of Preventative Whole House Generator Maintenance
It’s also important for Ohio homeowners to understand how spring generator tune-up investments offer so much more than just peace of mind.
These types of preventative maintenance measures also help households save a considerable amount of money, all while also extending a generator system’s functional lifetime.
Some other key benefits include:
- Lower risk of emergency generator repairs
- More reliable performance during prolonged outages
- Improved household energy efficiency
And in a state like Ohio that’s known for rapidly changing weather conditions, dependable backup power sources are an incredibly worthwhile investment!
How Often Should Ohio Homeowners Get Whole House Generators Professionally Serviced?
Most generator manufacturers recommend annual service appointments, but it’s important for Ohio homeowners to understand how they’ll likely benefit a great deal from additional checkups. This is particularly the case when a generator system is going through frequent usage in storm season.
Some good rules of thumb regarding whole house generator services include the following:
- Conduct self-checks on a monthly basis that include test runs and visual inspections
- Schedule professional tune-ups at least each spring
- Arrange for additional services with the Garber Electric technicians after prolonged outages or periods of heavy usage
This type of proactive approach goes a very long way to ensure your generator system’s consistent performance all year-round, regardless of how crazy the weather gets!
DIY Standby Generator Maintenance vs. Professional Services
Although there are certain whole home generator maintenance tasks that Ohio homeowners can handle on their own, including checking for visible damages and keeping a unit relatively clean, the vast majority of generator servicing needs to be left to professional hands.
Our certified home generator technicians have many years of expertise to do the following at your property:
- Perform accurate load testing
- Safely inspect your generator’s electrical systems
- Diagnose any hidden or lingering performance issues
What’s too often the case is that homeowners will attempt to do their own generator repair, only to later find out that they’ve actually increased the likelihood of costly damages and safety risks!
Reach Out To Garber Electric To Get Your Whole House Generator Ready For Ohio’s Storm Season!
Spring and summer weather is known to be unpredictable here in Ohio, but that doesn’t mean your home’s power supply needs to be.
Seasonal generator tune-ups help guarantee that your property is fully ready to handle any sudden outages, so don’t wait for the next storm cycle to consider testing your generator.
Reach out to Garber Electric today to get in touch with our experienced team and ensure that your whole house generator is prepared to keep your property comfortable, safe, and fully powered—no matter what this upcoming season brings!