Your generator near Annapolis can save the day when you lose power in your area and need residential electric services, but it is important to provide the proper maintenance if you want it to work safely and effectively. As convenient as home generators may be, they can also be incredibly dangerous when used improperly. As long as you understand how to safely use your generator and what you can do to prevent problems, you can keep it in top condition and extend its working life. Keep reading for a look at some essential tips for maintaining your home’s generator.
Refill Carefully
Maintaining your home’s generator will help to extend its working life, bolster its efficiency, and keep it safe for use. Your generator needs fuel in order to generate power, so you must refill the tank when necessary. This can be dangerous if you are in the middle of using your generator when it runs out of fuel. Rather than refilling your tank while it is still hot and risking a serious fire, wait for the generator to cool down before refilling the tank. Once it is cool, carefully fill the fuel tank with your gas can. Be sure to use a headlamp, flashlight, or another light source when refilling at night.
Store Gasoline Safely
Your home’s generator will typically run off of gasoline, so you must have storage of gasoline on your property. It is important that you choose high-quality storage can that will not leak or cause you to spill gasoline. If you plan on stocking up so that you have fuel whenever you need it, consider using two smaller gas cans instead of one big one; these smaller cans will be lighter and can help you refrain from overfilling your generator.
Use New Fuel
Operating your home’s generator using old fuel is not recommended. If you do not anticipate the need to use your generator for residential electric services again in the near future, drain the engine using your carburetor drain. Keep running your generator until the gas has run out so that you can fill it with fresh gasoline when you need it again.
