Few things are more distressing than the power in your home suddenly going out. A power outage is never good, but it’s even more troubling during a holiday gathering. That’s why it’s important to make sure your generator is ready for the load it may have to carry during the holiday season.

Have the Generator Checked Out Beforehand

Preparing your generator for the holiday season should begin well before your first guest arrives. The first thing to do is have your professional electrician come in and thoroughly check your generator and perform whatever troubleshooting is needed.

You should also have a check-up if you’ve added more electrical appliances to your house. A checkup will let you know whether your generator can handle the extra load. If all’s well after the checkup, you should check the generator now and then to make sure it works the way it should.

Stock Up on Fuel

If your generator isn’t connected to a natural gas supply, it’s a good idea to make sure you have plenty of fuel in storage. This fuel can be diesel, gasoline, or propane. Don’t store the fuel in your home. Store it in a sealed container and put the container in a place that’s dry, cool, and well-ventilated. Replace old fuel every six months to a year.

Run the Generator Outside

Like its fuel, the generator should be operated well away from the house. Ideally, it shouldn’t be run in any enclosed space that a person might need to visit. This includes the garage, even if it’s detached, or a storage shed. Carbon monoxide, which is deadly, can build up in these places. Also, if the generator is outdoors, any power cords should be rated for outdoor use.

Don’t Overload the Generator

Your generator has a certain wattage, and going over the wattage capacity can damage the system. If you’re not sure how many appliances and other instruments you can connect to your generator without overloading it, ask your professional electrician.

Let It Cool Before You Refuel

If you need to refuel your generator, let it cool off for at least 15 minutes. Trying to refuel the appliance while it’s still hot is a fire risk.

Call Us for More Generator Tips

Your generator may not only be a party-saver but a lifesaver if the power suddenly goes out during the holiday season. For generator service, call our professional electricians at Hawaii Electrical Source LLC of Honolulu, HI.