It’s crucial to have your generator ready to supply energy throughout your home if the power goes out during a storm. Therefore, be sure to stock up on fuel and run periodic tests on your generator. Also, reach out to a generator technician for routine maintenance. Here are some other ways to make sure your generator is prepared for bad weather.
1. Add Surge Protectors to Your Generator
A generator can send a large and sudden flow of energy when it kicks on. These spikes of power can damage your home’s electronics. For this reason, add surge protectors to your generator as a way to keep it ready for the next storm. Surge protectors keep your household appliances safe by maintaining desirable energy levels.
2. Keep the Generator Dry
Keeping your generator dry protects it from rust, helping to extend its lifespan. It also helps to prevent electric shocks, which can occur when you operate a generator exposed to wet, flooded, or icy conditions. Use a water-resistant cover or build a canopy to ensure your generator is always safe to operate during storms.
3. Secure the Generator
Your generator can tip over during severe storms if not properly secured. As such, use materials like bolts, heavy-duty straps, and chains to secure it to something more solid. Also, remember to secure your generator’s cover so that it doesn’t get blown away in severe storms, exposing your unit to rain.
4. Understand Your Generator’s Capacity
Knowing how much your generator can handle helps prevent overload. An overloaded unit may produce little power or abruptly stop working. Moreover, overloading your generator can leave its components vulnerable to premature wear. Therefore, it’s important that you find out what your unit can power before you use it in the next storm. List essential devices, like lights, refrigerators, and even medical equipment. After that, calculate the power these devices need and compare it to what your generator produces. That way, you’ll prevent overload and keep your generator working at optimal conditions.
5. Regularly Test Your Generator
Testing your generator before the next storm keeps its components running smoothly. It also prevents parts from sticking or breaking during crucial moments. Additionally, running regular tests on your generator keeps the battery charged and prevents fuel from getting stale. Regular tests can also help you spot potential problems early and have them fixed before the next storm hits.
6. Schedule Periodic Maintenance
It’s important to have a professional inspect your generator at least twice a year. An experienced generator technician is familiar with different types of generators and uses the right equipment to spot issues. They’ll run your generator, lubricate the engine, run its spark plug, and more. This routine keeps generators in great condition and ready for storm seasons.
Performing tasks such as keeping the gas lines clear of debris and replacing the battery at recommended intervals helps to keep your generator ready for the next storm. Furthermore, hire a professional to inspect your generator and keep it working at peak performance during storm seasons. If you’re a resident of Zachary, LA and looking for professional generator installation and repair services, call Stricklin & Porter today.
