Generators can develop issues just as often as any other system, and have their own unique issues to consider. If you want to keep your generator in top condition year-round, there is one major step you need to take: schedule preventive maintenance.

The vast majority of issues with HVAC and plumbing systems don’t display any kind of warning symptoms when they first develop. For air conditioners and heaters, this often means not noticing a problem until it starts to threaten the operation of the system. In the case of climate control systems, that might mean that you go without heating or cooling for a bit until you can get it fixed. With generators, though, a problem has the potential to be quite a bit worse.

Generators are emergency systems. They need to work when called upon. Since you probably don’t use your generator all the time, though, you have even less chance of noticing a problem before it starts to threaten the system. If the generator develops a serious issue during the course of the year, you may not realize it until a power outage occurs and your system refuses to function. That’s obviously not what you want to happen.

Preventive maintenance allows your technician to closely examine the generator’s system for any signs of an issue. Problem areas can be resolved quickly, before they have the chance to develop far enough to threaten the system. If you’re consistent about scheduling preventive maintenance at least once a year, you can both lower repair costs and dramatically increase the efficiency of your generator.

Scheduling generator maintenance any time during the year is better than not scheduling it at all. However, there are certain times when preventive maintenance is more effective than at other times. Typically, the best time to schedule preventive maintenance for your generator is right before the time of year when power outages are most likely to occur. If you make sure that your generator receives professional maintenance services shortly before it’s expected to see some use, there is less opportunity for problems to develop in the interim.

As we mentioned above, though, it’s far better to have preventive maintenance done later than not to have it done at all. Even if you’ve already had a power outage or two this year, and your system has worked fine, you should have a professional examine it anyway. You’ll be glad you did.

Anderson Electric Corp. provides a full range of generator services throughout Clifton, NJ. If you need help keeping your generator in good condition, contact us today to schedule an appointment.