Whole-home backup generators provide peace of mind by automatically turning on if your power fails. They’re especially important during severe weather. Generators allow you to keep cell phones charged and essential appliances running, including operation of your garage door opener, which can be lifesaving in emergencies.
If the power goes out and your generator doesn’t start, there are several things you can check. However, the best way to prevent this from happening in the future is to schedule regular maintenance. Depending on what is wrong, you may need to order or replace worn parts.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot and get your home backup generator running before your cell phone battery runs out!
Although portable generators must be refueled often, whole-home backup generators are connected to a continuous fuel source like natural gas. If your generator won’t start, check its fuel connection to ensure everything looks normal.
In some emergencies, natural gas companies may shut the gas off for an entire area. If your generator can’t access fuel, it won’t be able to run. Call your fuel company to see if they’ve shut off your gas. Hopefully, the gas will come back on, and your generator will be up and running again soon! If not, you may need to reset an error code for Low Fuel Pressure. Refer to your owners manual on how to clear alarm error codes or call Strada Services.
If your home backup generator has a propane fuel tank, you won’t need to worry about the fuel source being shut off. However, you must check and refill the fuel tank when it gets low. Most backup propane tanks are large, but the fuel will get low with enough use.
Check the propane tank to ensure there’s enough fuel. To refill the tank, turn off the generator first. Once the tank has been refilled, turn the generator back on. If low fuel was the issue, your generator should turn on now! If not, you may need to reset an error code for Low Fuel Pressure. Refer to your owners manual on how to clear alarm error codes or call Strada Services
If fuel isn’t the problem, try inspecting the oil level. Many generators have oil level sensors that will prevent the equipment from starting if levels are low.
Running equipment on low oil can damage it, so this safety feature is meant to protect your unit. If the oil is low, follow these steps to refill it:
With time, the oil that’s stored inside the generator may become dirty and sludgy. Old oil doesn’t perform as well, so you can also try draining the oil and completely replacing it. It’s important to always keep adequate levels in your generator to lubricate essential parts.
The filters in your generator can become clogged, restricting fuel oil and airflow to the engine. If you haven’t replaced your filters in a while, now is the time.
Remove the fuel, oil and air filter and examine them to see if they’re dirty or clogged. Replacing any that are blocked may allow your generator to start.
You should replace your filters regularly as part of general maintenance. The more you use the generator, the faster you will need to replace them. Filter replacements are inexpensive, and checking them regularly can help ensure your generator runs when you need it to.
Many generators rely on a battery to start the engine. If the battery has run out of juice, replacing it may solve the problem. Try putting a new one in and turning the generator on. You should be able to check its health in the controller menu.
It’s also possible that your battery is fine, but your generator’s electrical system is malfunctioning. In this case, you should contact local professionals to test and repair your generator. Repairing electrical issues yourself is dangerous and always best left to experts.
Your generator still won’t start? Here are several other potential causes, with suggestions for what to do.
Whole-home backup generators are designed to keep your entire household running, including all of your appliances. However, if you ask your unit to produce more electricity than it was designed to support, it will experience too much strain.
Here are several signs that your generator may be overloaded:
You might be overloading your whole-home generator if you’ve put an addition on your home or added significant appliances after installation. To avoid overloading your generator, understand how much electricity your generator is meant to produce.
Match the new electrical load of your home by installing a new unit or asking an electrician to configure your generator to only support certain circuits during an emergency. Call Strada to install Load Shedding modules on your major appliances to keep your generator running when you need it most
The problem could be due to a mechanical, electrical or other kind of issue. For example, a broken flywheel key, clogged carburetor or malfunctioning choke can all cause a generator to shut off. It’s possible that several parts have worn out, so you might need to test and replace multiple components.
The environment your generator is in could also be part of the problem. Excessive humidity, extreme temperatures and exposure to a lot of dust can sometimes impact your equipment’s performance. Cold weather can stop your generator from starting, especially if you don’t usually experience low temperatures.
If you’ve tried multiple fixes and your generator still isn’t working, contact a professional for diagnosis and repair.
If your generator won’t start, you won’t have power until the grid starts to work again. Here are a few steps you can take to conserve energy and stay safe until you have access to more power:
If you’ve experienced a prolonged power outage, proactively prepare for next time. Invest in a whole-home backup generator and keep it maintained so you’ll have reliable power in the future.
Is your whole-home backup generator acting up? Strada Services is here for you with expert repair and maintenance services. We’re passionate about providing peace of mind to our customers.
Our residential generator maintenance services include:
We recommend having a technician perform maintenance about every two years or every 200-400 hours of use. If your home backup generator doesn’t start, Strada Services will assess your equipment as quickly as we can.
Once you’ve worked with our professional technicians, you’ll see why you oughta call Strada! Contact us today to get started.
Joe Strada, owner of Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning, started working at the young age of 14. He’s never attended college, but he has spent his life dedicating his time and energy to his trade and providing high-quality services to his customers. At 19, Joe started working at a well-known air conditioning company and developing his commitment to excellence. He has state certifications in electric, plumbing, air conditioning, residential building and general contracting. During his years of training and experience, Joe noticed a sincere need for a dependable electrical contractor in Florida who embodied the same dedication to customer service in which he believed. In 2003, Joe co-founded Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning. Since then, the company has been in the business of providing peace of mind to customers. We offer expert electric, security and air conditioning solutions for homes and businesses, leveraging our experience to deliver professional and responsive service with reliability and respect.
