Whether you use your generator daily, weekly, monthly, or if it is a backup generator that only gets used in emergencies maybe once or twice a year, it still needs regular servicing and maintenance. This essential guide to generator maintenance will go through the reasons for this as well as what generator service and maintenance entails. We’ll take you through the aspects of work and home generator maintenance that you can do yourself and what is better left to the experts. Importance Of Servicing Your Generator Regular service and maintenance of your generator will help to ensure optimal performance. Your generator will last longer, maintain higher power output for longer, and be more fuel and cost-efficient. It will also ensure your generator’s safe operation. If those weren’t reasons enough, the other and possibly biggest reason to ensure your generator is well maintained and regularly serviced is so that when you need it, it won’t let you down. Servicing And Maintaining Your Generator Yourself There are plenty of things you can do to maintain and service your generator to keep it in tip-top working condition. Checking & Changing Oil Before every use, you should make it a habit to check the oil levels. It is also recommended that, depending on the make and model of your generator, the area it is kept and used in, and the frequency of use, you change the oil after every 50-200 hours of use. For new generators, it is recommended that you change the oil after the first 4-20 hours of use (depending on make and model). This is to help remove any debris and other pollutants that remain from its manufacture and transport. Keeping It Clean Keeping your generator free of the dust and debris that can contaminate your generator’s fuel, oil and parts is key to good maintenance. If it is stored in a particularly dusty or dirty place or is exposed to the elements, then it is well worth investing in a generator cover. Start It Up Regularly Emergency-use-only generators can suffer from non-use. Make sure yours is kept well lubricated, that the batteries (if applicable) are charged up and, most importantly, that it works! Manufacturers will recommend the intervals at which you should exercise your generator, but it is good practice to do so either monthly or at least every three months. Check Spark Plugs You should be following your generator’s instructions regarding how often your spark plugs will need replacing. It is likely to be after every 100 hours of use. However, you should also be removing them and manually checking and brushing them off with a soft wire brush every 1-3 months to ensure they remain dust and dirt free. Assess Potential Leaks As part of a general monthly check of your generator, check fuel lines, hoses, pipes and other parts for leaks. Check Air Filters At monthly, or no less than 3 monthly intervals, remove and check the air filter. Blow dust from gauze filters and re-oil foam filters. Change them as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Expert Servicing & Maintenance As well as calling in the experts when there is a problem with your generator, it is also important for your generator’s health, safety and longevity that you get it serviced regularly. A generator servicing contract is an excellent way to ensure this is not something that slips under your radar because we all know how busy life gets! To Sum Up General care and maintenance of your generator will help ensure it is always working when you need it. The little things we explained above will support the functioning of your generator for years to come. However, don’t neglect to get it serviced annually, or as per the manufacturer’s instructions by a qualified expert, such as one of our team at Generator Pro.