If your power goes out, you may have trouble keeping up with basic activities in your household. However, if you have a generator, you can keep the lights on and the refrigerator running, and you can stay safe and comfortable at home. To keep your generator in optimal condition, you’ll have to keep it maintained. You can certainly call for help with this, but you also have a good chance of handling these tasks on your own.

Clean Your Generator

Even with a cover on it, there’s the potential for dirt, dust, and debris to accumulate on your generator. This can cause problems with airflow, so you’ll want to address this issue whenever it arises. It’s quite simple to do so. Just take a damp rag and wipe down the exterior of the generator, brush away any debris, and vacuum out any dirt that you can reach with a vacuum attachment.

Keep Your Oil Fresh

Oil plays a vital role in the generator’s engine. It keeps the internal parts lubricated and prevents the engine from getting too hot, which could lead to permanent damage. Oil can last for a designated amount of time in a generator. Your owner’s manual should tell you how often you’ll need to change it. This could be 100 or 200 hours of operation, for example. To change your oil, you’ll drain the old oil and then add the recommended amount of new oil to the reservoir. It’s a good idea to change the filter at this time, ensuring that your oil can stay clean.

Make Sure You’re Using Fresh Fuel

Leaving fuel in your generator from last year can cause problems. Fuel can thicken over time, and this can make it harder for it to flow through the fuel valves. If the fuel gets too thick, it can actually clog those valves. To prevent this from happening, drain your tank after the season and run the generator to consume all of the leftover fuel. When you’re preparing for the next season in which you may need a generator, purchase fresh fuel so that you’re prepared. Keep in mind that some generator manufacturers suggest adding fuel additives to prevent fuel from deteriorating. Fuel additives are affordable and easy to use, so this is a practical solution.

Change Your Spark Plugs

Your generator needs functioning spark plugs in order to get started. Unfortunately, spark plugs can deteriorate over time, so you’ll need to replace them every year or so. Again, check with your owner’s manual to see what the company recommends.

Your Local Generator Experts

These easy generator maintenance tasks will help you get the most out of your generator. If you’re having any issues or need generator service at your place in Rochester, NY, call us at Nichols Electric and Plumbing today.