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How to Maintain Your Backup Generator

How to Maintain Your Backup Generator

In many cases, having a backup generator installed in your yard will prevent any interruptions to the time spent at home relaxing with your family.

Are you worried about the next blackout? If so, you are not alone. No one wants to be stuck inside after a snowstorm or whiteout conditions, especially if the power goes out! In many cases, having a backup generator installed in your yard will prevent any interruptions to the time spent at home relaxing with your family. Here’s a look at how to ensure that your generator is well-maintained

Starting Small 

You might not know how to figure out what is wrong with your generator. That’s why it’s so important to have someone you can trust to fix it for you. Many homeowners aren’t skilled in electrical work, and that is understandable. Here are a couple of easy things you can do to make sure your generator will be ready when you need it:

  • Your backup generator is equipped with a monitoring system to alert owners of any issues that arise, so keeping an eye on that is the quickest way to discover any malfunctions. Even with the monitoring system up and running, it is important to make sure all preventative maintenance is performed on-schedule by your TriStar Electric, Generac-certified technician. 
  • Once every week, on the schedule you set, your generator will cycle on and run for a minute and cycle back off. Listen closely to the cycling process for any abnormalities. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please do not hesitate to give us a call! 

Warning Signs 

Watch out for warning signs or red flags that something is about to go haywire. Look out for any leaks. Those are always an indication that something is wrong. Don’t attempt to fix it by yourself – that’s when you should call the experts! 

Another warning sign is when you hear strange noises coming from your backup generator. You should always notice a smooth hum. Sputtering can lead to a total system failure, and you don’t want that! 

Power flickers shouldn’t happen either. Have you noticed the lights inside your home flickering? Or maybe your exterior lights keep blinking when you go outside to throw away trash or take the dog for a walk? Power supply skips will stop your generator from working as it should. There might be about fifteen seconds of inactivity after a power outage, but that is the only delay you should notice. 

For ALL of Your Residential or Commercial Electrical Needs, Call TriStar Electric!

No matter the job, big or small, the professionals at TriStar Electric will be happy to discuss your project and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We offer free in-home consultations, plus an after-hours and emergency phone line for advice or service!

If you have any questions about our electrical repairs or upgrades, please contact TriStar Electric, Maryland’s premier residential and commercial electrician, by calling 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880. Or, you can fill out the contact form on our website.

Are you looking for a quality electrician in Maryland, Washington DC, Southern Pennsylvania, or Northern Virginia? Take a look at TriStar Electric’s online reviews and ratings on Angie’s List, Yelp, Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland,  and Better Business Bureau Greater Mid-Atlantic. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube!

 

This entry was posted on Friday, January 10th, 2020 at 4:28 pm. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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