Generator maintenance plans in Port St. Lucie
Standby generator maintenance in Port St. Lucie and Martin County. Get matched with a licensed local company for yearly service before hurricane season.
A standby generator sits idle most of the year, then has to start on the worst night of the summer. Machines that sit unused fail more often than machines that run. Regular service is how you find the problem in May instead of during a storm.
What a service visit usually includes
- Oil and oil filter change
- Air filter check or replacement
- Spark plugs, where the engine uses them
- Battery test and terminal cleaning, since a weak battery is the top reason a unit will not start
- A look at hoses, belts and connections
- A test run under load, and a check that the transfer switch moves as it should
- Reviewing fault codes and the unit's run history
Your owner's manual lists the service schedule for your model. Many manufacturers call for service about once a year, or after a set number of hours.
Why Florida is hard on generators
Heat, humidity and salt air near the water speed up corrosion. Insects like to nest in enclosures. Sprinklers can soak the unit. A technician looks for these things during a visit and tells you what to fix.
The weekly exercise cycle
Most standby units run themselves for a short time each week. That is normal and keeps the engine lubricated. If yours stops doing this, or throws a warning light, call for service.
Fuel matters too
Propane stores well. If you use a tank, someone should check the level before hurricane season. Natural gas supply depends on the utility, so a technician checks only the connections on your side of the meter.
Before hurricane season
The best time to book service is in the spring, before June. Technicians fill up fast once a storm is in the forecast, and parts can be slow to arrive. Ask the technician to leave you a short written report with the date, the hours on the engine and anything that needs attention. Keep it with your other storm papers, along with the model number and the name of the company that installed the unit.
Plan or one visit
Some companies sell a yearly plan that includes a set number of visits, and others charge per visit. Ask what is included, how fast they respond after a storm, and whether parts are covered. Cost varies with the size of the unit and the company, so compare estimates.
If your unit is already failing to start, see generator repair. If you are still deciding on a generator, start with standby generator installation.