Have you invested in a generator for your New England home? Are you considering one? Many homeowners in the area know that unpredictable weather and harsh storms mean they can lose power at any moment – especially in the winter. Snow and ice have a habit of ruining even the best-laid plans. Will your standby generator run in the snow?

Will Your Home Generator Run in the Snow?

Winter in New England is no joke. Every year, the area is hit by heavy snow and ice storms which can be powerful enough to down trees and power lines. This is often the harshest season of the year, and for that reason, it is the most common season for power outages. It should come as no surprise that Kohler generators are built tough; your generator needs to withstand ice, snow, and frigid conditions so you always have power when you need it. However, it is important to properly maintain your generator, especially in harsh winter weather, or you will run into problems.

How to Properly Maintain Your Generator in the Winter

There are a few actions you can take to ensure your generator will be up for the challenge when the snow starts to fall.

Clear snow from the intake and vents. The air intake is there for one reason: to take in air. When the air intake is clear, the generator can operate efficiently and cool the engine. However, if your generator is covered in snow, the intake cannot do its job, which may cause your engine to overheat and your generator to fail. To ensure this doesn’t happen, periodically clear snow and ice from your generator. During particularly heavy storms, this may mean doing the job a few times a day.
Make a path. If you’re going to be cleaning off your generator, make it easier for yourself by clearing a path from your house to your generator. You don’t want to find yourself trudging through several feet of snow just to clear your generator. Additionally, having a path clear ensures easy access if you do need emergency generator maintenance.
Take care of it all year long. All generators need to be properly maintained throughout the year to ensure top performance when you need it. Don’t ignore your generator through the spring, summer, and fall just because the weather is nice! You should be running your generator for 10-30 minutes at least once a month – and during the cold months, be sure to run it for about 10 minutes a week. Frequent exercise keeps your generator in peak condition, ensures it will function as it should when you lose power and will extend the lifespan of your machine. In addition to periodically running your generator, you should also have yearly maintenance performed by a professional.

Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold

Winters in New England can be brutal and living in Connecticut has always been tough, but with the right generator and proper maintenance, you never have to face another storm without power. Are you considering purchasing a generator for your home? Contact one of our certified technicians today; we can help you select and maintain the generator that fits your needs at home.