Top Reasons Generator Maintenance Saves You Money

GENERAC generators are an investment in your comfort and protection, but purchasing and generator installation is not where the matter ends. Proper generator maintenance is essential to getting the most value from the equipment. When routine maintenance ensures that your generator is in good working condition, then you can rest easy knowing that you have a reliable source of backup power when storms, severe weather and equipment failures interrupt electrical service. But while peace of mind is the greatest gain, it’s also true that generator maintenance can help to save you money–here’s how.

What Does Generator Maintenance Include?

Because you are relying on your standby generator to run your home or business in the event of an outage, you want to know that it is working properly and ready to handle that load. Besides regular DIY performance checks, generator installation and maintenance technicians will run a thorough inspection of every system involved in the generator’s operation. This process includes a once-over and testing of the following systems and components:

• battery / battery charging 
• fuel and engine cooling 
• engine and lubrication 
• oil and filtration 
• intake / exhaust 
• generator controls and power connections
• general operations
• automatic transfer switch

The team at Generator Pros takes generator maintenance very seriously and the detailed checklist our technicians follow ensures that your equipment is running well and can be trusted. For most GENERAC generators under normal use and operating conditions, annual maintenance is recommended. Oil and filter replacements may be done more regularly–feel free to contact us with specific questions. Some specific maintenance tasks vary by model, equipment condition, and manufacturer requirements, but most standard work is done for all GENERAC generators.

When done regularly, generator maintenance helps to preserve operation in these key areas: engine lubrication, airflow, ignition, starting readiness, electrical connection, supply and component health, engine operating temperatures, identifying alerts and operating concerns, checking for damage, corrosion, leaks, or obstructions, and evaluating generator startup and operation. That said, issues can spring up even if you’re regularly maintaining your generator. So if you start to notice common warning signs like failure to start, delayed startup, warning lights, error codes, excessive vibration or unusual odors or noises, among other inconsistencies, it’s time to schedule generator maintenance, whether it’s been a year since the last appointment or not.

How Generator Maintenance Saves You Money

GENERAC generators save the day during a prolonged power outage, but they can do more than restore conveniences and comfort. However, for these powerful pieces of equipment to ensure reliable operation, routine maintenance is a must. Ignoring maintenance may seem like an easy way to save money in the short term, but it can increase risks for the long term. Here are some specific ways in which committing to regular generator maintenance can positively impact your bottom line.

Prevents Expensive Generator Repairs

Small generator problems or minor maintenance needs can become more serious when left unaddressed. Simple situations like low or deteriorated engine oil, dirty or clogged air filters, worn spark plugs, a weak battery or damaged electrical connections are easy fixes, but if left unresolved, they can lead to serious problems and extensive damage. What would have been a basic task can turn into major component failure and costly repairs. Far better to pay a small annual fee for routine maintenance as a member of our priority service program than to have to replace major components or systems. Identifying a problem during a scheduled inspection allows technicians to address it before it threatens operation or safety.

Helps Extend the Life of Your Generator

We acknowledge that a whole-home standby generator can be a significant investment. All the more important then to keep it operational for as long as possible. Standard GENERAC generators can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years (10,000 to 30,000 running hours) depending on use, and routine maintenance helps to ensure that you don’t lose operational years or have to deal with subpar performance. Even seemingly minor maintenance work–like regular oil and filter changes, maintaining proper lubrication and routine inspection of engine components and electrical connections–go a long way toward keeping your standby generator primed and ready to operate when you need it most. And that means that you’ll be able to reap rewards from your investment for many years to come, without needing to repurchase such a sizable piece of equipment.

Reduces the Risk of Generator Failure During a Power Outage

Your generator's primary purpose is to provide a reliable source of power during an electrical outage or any time that utility power becomes unavailable. However, a generator that hasn't been properly maintained may fail to start or operate as expected. Weak batteries, low fluid levels, ignition component problems, fuel supply issues and faulty sensors or controls could all be at fault, but without proper maintenance and routine assessments, you won’t know that issues are lurking. You could confidently enter storm season only to find that unresolved maintenance alerts rear their heads and render your generator inoperable. This can be a real-life expense because depending on the outage duration and the systems affected, you might face food loss, heating loss resulting in the potential for water pipe damage, and sump pump interruptions leading to potential water damage. It’s easy to forget all the ways that having a consistent electricity supply keeps your home safe, but without proper protection, the repair bills could quickly stack up. There are also secondary costs, like disruptions to a home office resulting in wage or equipment loss, or the temporary lodging expenses incurred if damage to your home requires extensive repairs. In the end, the value of the minor expense of routine generator maintenance far outweighs the potential cost of major home repair or property replacement. It helps to dramatically reduce the risk of discovering a problem only after the power goes out.

Helps Maintain Fuel Efficiency and Engine Performance

Initially, this may sound like a minor concern, but in this day and age, with fuel prices climbing higher than ever, fuel efficiency truly can be a major cost savings. It’s also true that a generator's operating condition can influence how efficiently it uses fuel. Poor maintenance often equates to poor performance, and issues such as restricted airflow, ignition problems, and improper engine operation can contribute to inefficient performance. All of these factors are included in every annual maintenance checkup performed by the team at Generator Pros. Regular generator maintenance ensures that when the unit is required to run for extended periods during major power outages, it will not consume excessive amounts of fuel, increasing overall operating expenses. This is a particular concern during prolonged outages, which we’re seeing more often every year. On the other hand, proper servicing helps to keep your generator’s engine operating within its intended performance parameters.

Helps Maintain Warranty Compliance

Generators are complex pieces of equipment that require specific care. This is why warranties contain rigid terms, conditions, and exclusions, typically requiring that routine maintenance be done on a set schedule by a certified generator installation and maintenance professional. This isn’t to say that missing maintenance will void a warranty, but it is true that regular checkups and a documented service history provide proof if you ever do need to make a warranty claim with the manufacturer. Should a part be defective or a component fail prematurely, your being able to prove that you have had routine maintenance done at reasonable intervals helps to support your claim and could convince the manufacturer that the failure is in no way your fault, and that they hold responsibility. This benefit could prove invaluable should you happen to purchase a problematic unit and help to avoid unnecessary coverage disputes.

Generator Installation and Maintenance in Cleveland

A standby generator is a long-term investment in home comfort, convenience, and emergency preparedness. Although routine maintenance involves an ongoing expense, it can be invaluable in helping homeowners to avoid more costly, long-term problems. Scheduled generator maintenance identifies issues early on, supports efficient operation, and maintains equipment reliability for as long as possible. Properly maintained GENERAC generators are also more likely to perform as intended when an unexpected power outage occurs. The money spent on preventive generator maintenance today prevents much larger expenses tomorrow.

The team at Generator Pros provides professional generator installation and maintenance, routine inspections, and repair services for both commercial and residential generators in Cleveland. To help keep your backup power system operating reliably, consider joining our Priority Service Program. Contact our team today to schedule generator maintenance and ensure that your equipment is ready when you need it most.