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We’ve talked in previous posts about the importance of maintaining your generator so that it can reliably power your home or business when the unexpected happens.

But keeping your generator in safe, working condition is not just a“nice-to-have,” and the alternative is not only costly, but dangerous.

Let’s discuss how a lack of maintenance can cost you and how you can keep yourself protected.

Lack of Power

 

The most obvious thing that can go wrong from lack of generator maintenance is being without power, the very thing you were relying on your generator to provide. And don’t think that just because you have a generator at home or on-site means it’s going to run perfectly if you leave it unattended for months or even years. Like with anything else – your health, your dog, your home, your generator takes upkeep and maintenance to run.

After all, you invested in a generator so that you wouldn’t have to worry about losing power, but what good is your investment doing if you forget about it? You wouldn’t just throw money in the stock market and then ignore it for a few years, right? You’d keep an eye on it so that you can adjust course and make updates when necessary so that it can continue to bring you value. In the case of your generator, that value is safe, reliable, and uninterrupted power.

Costly Repairs

Purchasing a generator is a well-worth-it investment, but without necessary upkeep, the cost of repairs can spiral out of control.

Even though you may think you’re saving money by skipping your routine maintenance, you’re going to end up spending more on repairs when parts that haven’t been properly cared for fail.

Think of it like getting your annual check-up with a physician; even if you feel fine and aren’t aware of any problems, that doesn’t always mean they don’t exist. People can have illnesses for years without so much as a single symptom, and the only way to lessen your chances is by getting checked out.

On the other hand, if things are left to fester, they can spiral out of control and you’ll end up paying more for medications or surgery that you could have avoided by simply having regular check-ups.

It’s exactly the same with your generator. Without regular maintenance, your generator will not stay intact, and you’ll be paying more for repairs than you would have for maintenance.

Exposure to Dangerous Conditions

Letting your generator sit without proper maintenance is not only expensive, it can be downright dangerous.

Some of the risks associated with lack of maintenance include:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning – Generators are not the only thing that need maintenance; you’ll need to keep an eye on your carbon monoxide detector as well. Generators emit carbon monoxide as they run, so make sure you’ve installed a CO alarm and check it regularly to make sure it has fresh batteries. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it can literally kill you without your knowledge.
• Electrocution – A wet generator is a hazard waiting to happen. If you’re operating your generator in wet conditions, be sure to protect it from moisture to eliminate the dangerous risk of shock. Your best bet is to operate the generator under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface so that water cannot reach it.
• Fire – Fire can result from gasoline that’s spilled onto hot engine parts when in use. Avoid this by turning your generator off and letting it cool down after use, and then refuel once the system’s had a chance to cool off.

The bottom line is that you don’t need to break the bank or overextend yourself to keep your generator running as it should. It’s a simple matter of being mindful of what it needs and being proactive about maintenance before issues arise.

Remember, it’s a two-way street; if you want your generator to protect you, you have to invest the time, and that’s certainly a well-worth-it investment.

 

Kristopher Schwind is the proud owner of National Standby Repair.