What to Know About Generator Safety If You Have One in Your Home

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The benefits of owning a home generator also bring with them a responsibility for paying attention to generator safety. The fact is, our national power grid isn’t as dependable as it once was. Power outages have doubled over the past decade, a consequence of changing climate that has produced more severe storms, as well as higher electrical demand stressing aging wires and utility substations.

Portable vs. Standby

Home generators are more useful — and more widely used — than ever. Some homeowners opt for portable units to power just a few necessary items during a brief power outage. Others go further, choosing a permanently installed standby generator fueled by a connection to the home’s natural gas utility, which can keep an entire house powered for extended periods.

Staying Empowered to Ensure Generator Safety

No matter which option you choose, generator safety must be a priority. Here are critical matters to keep in mind while keeping yourself powered up:

• Portable generators must be outdoors at all times and must remain 15 feet or more from the home. Carbon monoxide present in the generator's exhaust can be deadly.

• Only heavy-duty, weatherproof outdoor extension cords are safe for use with a portable generator.

• Don’t expose a portable generator to rainfall or snow. In wet conditions, the unit should be sheltered by a patio canopy or other outdoor covering and kept away from puddles. During ongoing severe weather, the best policy is to use a portable generator only when absolutely necessary.

• Standby generators are complex devices that must be installed by certified electricians only. Don’t attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the unit yourself.

• By design, standby generators are outdoor units built to resist weather and temperature extremes. Enclosing the generator inside a shed or other structure is not required and may accumulate hazardous fumes or cause the unit to overheat.

• A fence surrounding the unit is appropriate to keep children and pets away.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for regular generator maintenance and perform routine test operations as recommended (usually once a month).

For expert advice about generator safety and usage, ask the professionals at Air Assurance.

Have You Had Maintenance Completed on Your Generator?

A home generator can make a world of difference during a power outage. A generator, depending on its capabilities, may keep refrigerated food from spoiling and your hot water tank pumping out hot water. In other words, a it may help you from having to seek alternative living conditions during a power outage. In order to keep a generator in proper working order when you need it the most, it is imperative you establish a yearly routine generator maintenance schedule.

There are a number of factors which may keep your generator from working properly. Climate, specifically freezing temperatures, may keep an already compromised generator from starting. Fortunately the Tulsa climate dose not dip into the negative temperatures too often, but even our temperatures will affect an improperly cared-for generator. Losing power during the winter months, and without a generator to back you up, you may be put in a dire predicament. Other reasons your generators may not start include: compromised fuel supply, rust, debris, seized starter, blocked carburetor, fouled sparkplug, damaged flywheel, or severed electrical wire, just to name some of the more common ways a generator will not start.

Generators, depending on their make, model, size, and fuel supply, will require service not unlike your furnace. Routine generator maintenance includes ensuring components are in proper working order, making sure fluids are filled, and changing out air filters for starters. Waiting until a power outage to discover your generator has a loose sparkplug will cause you unnecessary heartache. Also, waiting until a power outage, or until the unit is fully broken, will ensure you pay the maximum dollar amount for your repairs. A little maintenance once or twice a year may keep you from having to shell out replacement costs on your investment.

Generators can make a difference during an emergency, but only if they are properly maintained. If you live in the Tulsa area, and have a generator that has not seen a maintenance mechanic since the assembly line, please feel free to contact us.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.Image courtesy of Shutterstock