As we’ve seen this past week, winter storms are nothing to take lightly. Here in Boston, MA, the purchase of a whole-house generator can be a lifesaver during a crisis, especially when it is placed and installed by trained professionals. But a generator won’t do any good if it fails you in a crisis, or if it lacks the things it needs to run when you need it to. If you have a generator in your house, here’s a few tips to help keep it running when the worst hits your home.
Make Sure You Have Enough Fuel
Generators depend on fuel to run and if yours runs out in the middle of a storm, you may find yourself stuck without power. Make sure you know the fuel consumption rate of your generator and ensure that it has enough for at least a day or two more than you anticipate you’ll need whenever a blizzard or similar crisis arrives.
Don’t Overload It
Generators have a power load capacity, detailing how much power they can generate comfortably. This needs to cover unexpected surges in the power as well as regular loads. Make sure your system is sized correctly for whatever you intend to run with it, and never overload your generator, not even for a short amount of time.
Keep it Well Placed and Maintained
Proper placement of your generator means that it has ready access to your electrical grid, that the exhaust pipe can properly vent it, and that it lacks any obstructions around it that might interfere with its functioning. In addition, make sure you can access it readily in the event of a crisis, so that you can periodically check on it, refuel it and perform other maintenance duties. Speaking of maintenance, an annual or semi-annual servicing form a professional will ensure that it stays running for many winters to come.
For more tips on keeping your generator running in a crisis, trust Cooling Unlimited!
