Do you have a whole-house generator? Does it fail to back up your electrical supply during a power outage? Has it become unreliable over the years? Whatever the cause of your generator problem, you need to make sure that you get it sorted out sooner than later. The entire point of having a generator is that it functions like a practical insurance policy, protecting your home against the discomfort and inconvenience of losing power during a storm, blizzard, or flood. But like any other mechanical system, problems can develop over time. Unfortunately, because we use our generator only from time to time, we may not realize something is wrong until too late. Call ACI Northwest for quality electrical repair services.
So, what could be wrong with your generator? That depends on the symptom. While a generator problem requires professional, hands-on diagnosis by an electrician to figure out the cause, let’s take a look at a few potential issues:
- Generator won’t start up. If you have an automatic standby generator, then it should start up immediately once it has detected a loss of incoming power at the service panel. A manual backup generator will have to be turned on by switch. In either case, if your generator won’t turn on, the result can be frustrating, especially in the dark. It may need to be reset if it has suddenly shut down, but if it won’t start up at all, there could be a problem with the fuel supply or the wiring itself.
- Generator keeps overloading. When it was installed, your technician likely advised you on what types of appliances you can operate with your generator. Only high powered units are able to handle major appliances like dryers, HVAC systems, and dishwashers, so make sure you know what and what not to turn on when your generator is running.
When it comes to the reliability and integrity of your generator, you need to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to make sure it works in the event of an outage. Pro installation is the first step, but ensuring that the unit receives routine maintenance is also important. Call ACI Northwest today if you’re having generator problems and you need electrical repair services in Spokane, WA.