Hire an Experienced Electrician in Trumbull, CT to Get Your Generator Winter-Ready
Winter will be here sooner than you know, and your generator could play an important role in keeping you and your family warm and safe if the worst-case scenario occurs: a power outage. Snowstorms are a problem not just for roadways and school closings, but also for generators, which can break down under bad weather conditions. Without a working generator, you could be facing cold temperatures in your home at the very time when you need warmth the most.
To make sure you’re winter-ready, hire a capable electrician in Trumbull, CT who can help you prepare for the months ahead. Here are a few tips on maintenance and preparation to get you started.
Check fluids
Just like so many other machines you probably use in your household (such as cars and lawnmowers), your generator requires certain fluids to keep it running well. These include lubricants, fuel and oil. In order to keep your generator running smoothly, you’ll want to check these fluids regularly—especially if you’ve recently run your generator for an extended amount of time. This is a particularly important step before winter, as running out of fluids can cause severe damage to your generator, not to mention leave you sitting in a cold room in no time.
While you’re running the generator, you should change out the oil (and filters) after about eight consecutive hours of use. Make sure to check your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
Inspect your generator
You’ll do yourself a big favor if you can catch any potential issues with your generator before they get bad. That way, your skilled electrician in Trumbull, CT will be able to remedy the situation quickly. Make sure to look at all the connections, wiring and fuel lines for visible kinks, leaks or loose tubes.
Show your generator some respect
When treated with proper care and maintenance, a good generator can last for many years. In order to make sure your generator is happy, never place any other objects on top of it—including power tools, garage supplies, cleaning supplies, buckets, fabrics or other items. Nothing’s worse than a caved-in generator that just couldn’t bear the weight of all the stuff that was regularly tossed on top of it. Plus, overhanging items might interfere with the generator’s function, or potentially clog filters.
Furthermore, you should always give your generator plenty of space to operate. Just because you aren’t putting items directly on your generator doesn’t mean they should instead be piled close by. It’s always best to keep several feet of clear space around your generator, and make sure that any other debris that gathers naturally (such as dirt, dust or dead leaves) is cleared away promptly.
Test your generator
Don’t be caught in a snowstorm before you realize your generator isn’t working. Test it regularly and look for proper voltage output, working system lights and good fuel pressure.
As always, be sure to enlist a skilled electrician in Trumbull, CT to help you keep your generator in top shape year-round. Get in touch with New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. today to schedule an inspection.