If you live in a place where blackouts are common and last more than a few hours, your generator has probably made life possible more than a few times. This is especially the case if you depend on medical devices powered by electricity. Yet, a generator can overheat, and this can put its potentially lifesaving benefits at risk.
Preventing Overheating: Make Sure There’s Clearance
A generator should never be installed in your home, but it can still overheat outdoors. Some people build or buy a little house for their generator to protect it from the weather. Others may place it too close to the wall of the house or try to protect it with a tarp. You need to ensure that there’s at least 3 ft of clearance around your generator. If the generator is in a house, it needs to be well-vented and have a good flow of air.
Keep the Generator Out of Direct Sunlight
Though placing a generator in its own house is tricky, you should also make sure that the equipment isn’t exposed to direct sunlight, especially on a hot day. You may be tempted to hang a tarp over the generator, but you need to avoid the standard type that doesn’t “breathe.” Instead, invest in a canopy that’s built to shade a generator.
Don’t Run Everything at Once
Turning on most of your appliances at the same time during a power outage can put great stress on a generator and cause it to overheat. The best idea is to unplug as many appliances as you can and then plug them in one at a time as they are needed.
Make Sure Your Generator Can Handle the Load
Even before you buy your generator, you must make sure that it has enough wattage to handle your home’s energy needs. It may overheat or stall if it doesn’t.
Make Sure Your Generator Is Well Maintained
Have an HVAC technician check and troubleshoot your generator at least once a year. You may have to have the generator checked even more often if it’s used a lot. Make sure that it has enough oil and top the generator off if the liquid is low. Like a car, your generator has a dipstick that tells you how much oil it has.
You should also check the coolant and make sure that the filters are always clean. Look for leaks or clogs anywhere on or in the device and have a professional check them out.
Keep the Area Clean
You should also keep the generator clean. Remove any dirt or grease on the appliance itself and make sure that there’s no debris in the area around it.
Your generator works hard to make your life comfortable. It’s ultimately your responsibility to make sure it’s running well. If you have concerns or require generator services, contact Absolute Electrical Heating & Air in Denver, CO.