Maintaining Your Generator

No power? No problem.

Refrigerated food and uninterrupted Wi-Fi are just some of the luxuries you enjoy with a whole-house generator. During temperature extremes, your family will stay safe and comfy with continued heating and cooling. You rely on your generator for security, so you should be sure it works when you need it.

First step—be sure to install it correctly. The US Department of Energy (DOE) strongly recommends having your generator installed professionally. That will ensure that everything is up to code, and you won’t run into any safety issues.

Field Plumbing & Heating has a team of trusted professionals who are well-versed in installing generators for Coloma homes and businesses. We are also experts in troubleshooting faulty generators and can provide the maintenance you need. We’re pleased to meet the energy needs of our MI neighbors.

Whole-house generators—also known as standby generators—have a life span of 20 to 40 years. Since your generator only gets occasional use, it can easily slip under your radar. However, it does require a bit of maintenance now and then.

Here are a few simple ways you can make sure everything stays up to speed:

Keep an ear out for your generator’s weekly test run. A healthy generator automatically performs a test run once every week. This is to ensure that all of the parts are lubricated. If you notice any odd noises, or it doesn’t start up at the scheduled time, have a professional check it out.

Keep your generator clean. You want to be sure it stays clear of any debris, which can make it overheat. Trim any greenery that grows near it, leaving at least two feet of breathing room. Additionally, clean off any leaves, twigs, or dirt that fall onto it.

Reserve a supply of oil. In the event of a power outage, you want to be prepared. When it’s running, you should check your oil levels roughly every eight hours. If the outage is long-term, shut off your power once daily and refill.

Change out the spark plugs. These are the trusty parts that enable your generator’s starting mechanism. Ideally, replace them once every two years, sometimes sooner, depending on their condition. If you’re not confident, let a Field Plumbing & Heating pro show you how to do it! It’s also a good habit to inspect them for damage occasionally. Look for any black spots (from oil or soot), warping, or melting.

Need your generator serviced?

Our team at Field Plumbing & Heating does our best to keep you informed so that you can get the most mileage out of your home assets. If you have any follow-up questions, don’t hesitate to call our Coloma, MI offices today at (269) 674-3839. You can also request service online quickly and conveniently.