Generator maintenance and pre-season service
A standby generator that sits for months still needs regular service. Here's what a maintenance visit covers and when to schedule it.
Most standby generators run a short self-test every week or two, but a test run doesn't change the oil, replace a weak battery or clear a wasp nest from the enclosure. Regular service is what makes the difference between a unit that takes the load at 2 a.m. in a hurricane and one that throws a fault code. Follow the maintenance schedule in your generator's owner's manual, and keep records, since warranty claims often ask for them.
What does a maintenance visit include?
- Changing the oil and oil filter, and checking the air filter and spark plugs
- Testing the starting battery and cleaning the terminals
- Checking the controller for stored fault codes and updating settings
- Inspecting fuel connections and looking for gas or propane leaks
- Running the generator under load and testing a transfer
- Clearing debris, vegetation, insects and rodent nests from the enclosure
When should I schedule it?
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. A visit in the spring, before June, gives time to order parts if something turns up. Many owners also schedule a second check after a long run during a storm, since a generator that ran for days needs an oil change sooner than one that only did weekly tests.
Why does the Gulf Coast climate matter?
Lake Charles is one of the most humid cities in the contiguous United States, and it averages more than 57 inches of rain a year. Moisture, salt air closer to the coast, heat and insects are hard on batteries, connections and enclosures. A unit that never gets opened up between storms can corrode quietly.
Things you can do between visits
- Listen for the weekly exercise run and note any changes
- Keep grass, weeds and shrubs trimmed back from the enclosure
- Keep the propane tank filled ahead of hurricane season
- Check the controller for warning lights after storms
The generator company prices the job after looking at your house, your electrical panel and your fuel supply. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone before a site visit is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How often does a standby generator need service?
Follow the schedule in your owner's manual. Many owners service once a year before hurricane season, plus after any long outage run.
Is the weekly self-test enough?
No. It confirms the engine starts, but it doesn't replace oil, filters, batteries or a full transfer test under load.
Related services
- Whole-house standby generator installation
- Transfer switches and load management
- Generator repair
- Natural gas and propane hookups
More background: Lake Charles standby generator guide.
Want the lights and AC to stay on through the next storm?
Call now and a local generator company will talk through what your house needs.