We understand, it is easy to get complacent.

Unlike your HVAC unit, which you utilize every day, your generator is there for emergencies. If you haven’t had to use it in some time, you may have a bit of an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality.  You may sometimes forget to take care of the generator, secretly hoping you’ll just never need it. But annual generator maintenance is a key component to keeping your home running and your family comfortable in an emergency.

Your generator seems like a pretty simple machine – you pour gasoline in, and it produces an electrical energy output. But your portable generator is actually a complex machine, and requires upkeep in order to run in its most efficient manner. Here are some compelling reasons to call your electrician today and set up an inspection.

Reasons for Generator Maintenance

  • You Won’t Get Caught off Guard: Most often, the need to use your generator comes up quickly, and the scenario may be unexpected. That is the wrong time to find out that your generator is not operational. Annual generator maintenance keeps your machine running in top form, and identifies any required fixes during downtime – not during an emergency.
  • You’ll Beat the Crowd: Many Floridians think that since they have fair warning that a hurricane is on the way, they can put off maintenance until it appears they may need to utilize the generator. Unfortunately, just before a major storm, everyone is vying for the same resource, and there is absolutely no guarantee that you will be able to reach (let alone schedule) a qualified electrician to come out and test your unit.  And if  the generator is not working and a part needs to be ordered, you also have no guarantee that you can receive and install the part in time.
  • You’ll Keep the Fuel Flowing: Without proper maintenance, your fuel system can get clogged or exhibit algae growth which could hinder its operation – or shut it down completely. Having any machine sit for years with fuel and oil runs the risk of problems occurring – ones which could shut the generator down completely.
  • You’ll Protect Your Investment: A generator is not a small investment. Many people think they can save money by not subscribing to annual maintenance plans, but this could end up costing you a lot more money in the long run. Fixing small problems before they become large ones is one of the most prudent benefits of annual generator maintenance. Keeping the generator properly maintained will also likely result in the equipment lasting much longer and reaching its full life expectancy, putting off the need to replace the unit prematurely.

Maintenance Facts

Good maintenance is required for safe, efficient, and trouble free operation of your generator. During a maintenance check and inspection, the technician will check and replace the air filter, check the oil filter and replace if necessary, check the spark plugs, and replace the oil as needed. They will also generally perform a load test, switching your home’s power over to the generator (simulating a disaster). Only by testing your generator’s ability to actually power what you expect it to can you be sure that the unit is running as expected.

At Promise Electric, we offer comprehensive annual generator maintenance plans for Generac equipment, to ensure that your investment and your family are protected. Waiting until a storm is on the way – or worse, already upon you – is a risk you shouldn’t take. If you have a generator onsite in the Sarasota area and want some peace of mind, give us a call.