Properly Maintaining Your Standby Home Generator Keeps the Lights on When you Need Them

Mike DeJoseph, previous owner of Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, Inc. in Little Falls, N.J. notes that power outages are unpredictable, making it vitally important that homeowners properly maintain their standby home generator. Following these simple proactive measures, will ensure that their automatic standby home generators will operate properly when needed.

• Listen for the generator to perform its weekly scheduled test. A properly operating generator comes on weekly as a test. “As long as it does that, it will energize during a blackout,” says Mike DeJoseph, previous owner of Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric. “I recommend to our customers that they keep track of the jog test times to make sure the unit will work when needed.”
• Check that the indicator light is green. A red indicator light is the sign of an operating problem and should be checked out right away by a certified technician.
• Maintain proper oil levels. Proper oil levels are required to guarantee the generator will come on for its self-testing and keeps the warranty valid. DeJoseph recommends asking the installer if the company offers this twice-yearly routine maintenance. “The generator motor requires two complete oil changes every year. A generator that’s low on oil will shut down prematurely.”
• Keep the unit free of debris. It’s important to keep lawn debris or trash away from the unit for maximum operation.

DeJoseph also stresses the importance of having an automatic standby home generator installed by a certified installer. “When a power outage hits or equipment breaks, it’s the wrong time to discover you made a costly mistake.”

Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, Inc. is certified by industry leader Generac, to install and service equipment under the Generac label and other brands it produces. The multiple-award-winning HVAC company serves homes and businesses throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex, and Union counties. For more information contact Jack Lamb at (973) 237-0505 or Info@BloomfieldCooling.com