Planning For Success With Your Whole-Home Generator And Avoiding Unnecessary Generator Repair Service | Marion, SC
A whole-house generator is a smart investment for homeowners in Marion, SC, who need to keep their residences powered during outages. You may have lost power before, but have you done anything to prepare for an extended loss of power? You’re not alone. Many people don’t understand the real risk of an extended loss of power or how vulnerable your home electrical system is. Some homeowners are so unprepared that they haven’t even given it any thought. But before you install one, there are a few things about generator repair service you should carefully consider.
Be Aware of Your City’s Power Grid
Before installing a whole-house generator, it’s important to understand how your city’s power grid works. First of all, be aware that the power grid is not infinite and can’t handle every demand all at once. There will be a blackout if too much power is drawn from the grid, which means no lights or air conditioning. Secondly, understand that your local utility company usually tests the capacity of their lines once per year. They also inspect them once per year. While they may upgrade some components during this period, most upgrades are done in response to natural disasters or major events like protests or riots.
Know the Different Types of Generators
You may be wondering what the different types of generators are and if you should consider each one. A generator installation company can help you decide on the generator suitable for your home. Gas-powered generators are common in Marion, SC, but this type has some drawbacks. If you live in an area prone to natural gas leaks, it’s not recommended that you get this type. Also, the fumes can irritate your eyes and throat if used indoors for long periods or regularly.
Diesel-powered generators are also quite common, but they come with some downsides. They’re often louder than other generator types and require more maintenance over time. For example, many diesel engines need to be oiled after use to not rust out prematurely due to moisture build-up inside the engine itself, a task that most homeowners in Marion, SC, won’t want to take on themselves. You will hire a generator repair service now and then to keep it in good condition.
Determine What Size of Unit You’ll Need
The size of the generator you’ll need depends on the size of your home and how many people will be using it. Generators are measured by their wattage, so that’s where people start when determining what kind they want to purchase. A generator installation company will help you look for a unit with enough wattage to power all of your most common appliances.
As far as sizing goes, if you have two bedrooms in your house and plan on living alone with no kids or pets during an emergency where electricity is out for several days or longer, then a 5 kW generator might be sufficient for those needs. However, if there are four or five bedrooms in the home and several children/grandchildren living there, then go up one notch to 7 kW or even 10 kW, depending on how long they plan on being without power. Otherwise, generator repair services will be needed more frequently.
Understand That Generators Are Not One-Time-Only Investments
A generator is not a one-time investment. It needs to be maintained, inspected and replaced when it fails. Generators are also subject to wear and tear over time, so they will eventually need a service for repairs or even replacement before their expiration date.
Before buying a whole-house generator, make sure you understand your service level agreement (SLA) and what coverage it provides, and any hidden costs associated with the purchase, such as moving or installation fees.
What Generator Repair and Maintenance Are Involved?
A whole-house generator is not maintenance-free. While it may seem like these machines require little more than some oil and fuel, they need regular care to stay in tip-top shape.
You should have a generator repair service check your unit’s oil. Try not to wait until you’re experiencing an outage before checking. Check oil levels to ensure they don’t run out during an outage. This is especially important during cold weather when the air becomes very dry and can cause the engine oils in your generator to thicken.
Keep on top of regular maintenance procedures. It’s worth noting that certain generators require routine generator repair service and maintenance from professionals, so if yours does, don’t try doing any repairs yourself.
Will the Generator Be Connected to Your Home’s Electrical System?
Depending on the type of generator you buy, you may be able to connect it directly to your home’s electrical system. This can be a great way to ensure that power will be available during an outage. However, some important safety precautions must be taken once the power has been restored after an outage and you want to disconnect your generator from your home’s electrical system.
You must ensure that all gas lines are turned off and disconnect all connections before turning off the main circuit breaker in your house. If these steps are skipped or overlooked, serious consequences could be fire or electrocution. But what if you have no intention of running your whole-house generator regularly? In this case, too much use can cause wear and tear, just like driving a car would over time. To help prevent this problem, contact a generator repair service technician.
A repair service will keep it clean by removing dust build-up every few months, checking belts, and replacing any belts that show fraying signs. They will also lubricate moving parts valves for proper operation whenever possible and check fuel filters to see if they need to be replaced. Therefore, don’t forget about generator repair service if you want your unit to serve you for long.
Give Your Family the Gift of Power
A generator can be a great gift for your family, especially if you live in a prone-to power outage area. As long as you ensure your unit is set up properly and schedule regular generator repair services, you shouldn’t have any issues with the power going out in your home. Whether installing the generator panel or connecting the generator to the main power supply, you would be in the better hands of a generator installation company with experienced residential and commercial electricians. Call Mister Sparky Generators to get a free quote. We also offer generator repair services and maintenance agreements to keep your unit in good shape for years to come.