Storm season is a part of the year when unpredictable weather can happen in an instant. This includes heavy winds, lightning, and flooding, all of which can knock out power to your house. If you don’t take time to prep your whole-home generator for this season, it may not turn on when you need it most. Keep reading to learn the four best ways to get your unit ready for the next major storm.
Test the Starting Battery
Every time the automatic transfer switch detects a power outage, the starting battery provides the energy needed to start the generator’s engine. When the battery becomes weak or goes dead, the generator won’t be able to start. Most batteries last about three to five years before they need replacement. Here’s how to test the battery before storm season:
- Check for corrosion and damage
- Inspect battery cable connections
- Measure the battery voltage
- Perform a generator startup test
- Replace weak or failing batteries
Trim Back Landscaping
Your generator most likely sits outdoors inside a protective housing unit. It must be clear of landscaping at all times to maintain adequate airflow so the engine doesn’t overheat. And this is exactly why you need to take time to trim back any trees or shrubbery near the unit. You don’t want flying twigs and branches to fall on the system during a storm. If this happens, it can dent the housing cabinet and even damage the internal components. Most experts recommend two to three feet of clearance on all sides to maintain proper airflow and allow easy access for maintenance.
Anchor the Unit With a Reinforced Mounting System
If the generator isn’t properly anchored to its pad (usually concrete), there’s a much higher chance of it becoming unstable during storms. Even though the unit probably weighs more than 300 pounds, high winds and flooding can still shift or tip it under extreme conditions. Using a reinforced mounting system is essential to preventing this type of damage. With heavy-duty anchor bolts securing the unit to its pad, it will remain firmly in place regardless of how strong the winds become or how saturated your yard gets.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
During maintenance, an expert will test every major component on the generator, including its battery, automatic transfer switch, and fuel system. These steps help ensure the unit is ready to keep your home’s electrical system running smoothly during outages. Regular maintenance is also important because many manufacturers require professional servicing to keep the warranty valid.
The proactive care that you give your generator today can make a vital difference during the next storm. Testing the battery, trimming back landscaping, anchoring the unit to the ground, and scheduling maintenance all work together to improve the generator’s reliability when you need backup power the most. If you live in North Carolina and need generator services, make your first call to Blaze Air.