How Often Should I Service My Generator?
Regular maintenance ensures your Generac generator starts reliably when you need it most. This guide covers weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance tasks to keep your backup power system ready for the next PSPS event.
Why Maintenance Matters
Generators sit idle most of the year. Without regular exercise and maintenance, fuel systems can clog, batteries fail, and problems go undetected until the next power outage when you need reliable power most.
Weekly Maintenance (Automatic)
Generac generators are programmed to exercise automatically once per week. This automated self-test accomplishes several important functions:
Exercise Schedule Settings
Weekly exercise is typically scheduled for mid-week daytime hours to minimize neighborhood disruption. We recommend Monday-Thursday between 10am-3pm. Exercise mode runs without transferring power to your home, so it won't affect your electricity usage.
Monthly Owner Checks
Spend 5 minutes monthly performing these visual inspections:
Annual Professional Service
Once per year (or every 200 running hours), your generator needs professional maintenance service. Here's what's included:
| Service Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Oil Change | Replace with fresh oil to maintain engine protection |
| Oil Filter | Replace filter to maintain oil cleanliness |
| Air Filter | Clean or replace for proper air/fuel mixture |
| Spark Plugs | Inspect and replace if worn (typically every 2 years) |
| Battery Test | Load test and clean terminals |
| Fuel System | Inspect fuel lines, filter, and connections |
| Electrical | Check connections, wiring, and transfer switch |
| Load Test | Run under load to verify full capacity operation |
| Software Updates | Apply any available firmware updates |
Pre-Fire Season Service
For East County properties facing frequent PSPS events, we recommend scheduling annual service before fire season (May-June). This ensures your generator is in peak condition before the highest-risk months.
Pre-Fire Season Checklist
- Complete annual professional service
- Top off propane tank (aim for 80%+ capacity)
- Clear vegetation within 5 feet of generator
- Verify Mobile Link connectivity for remote monitoring
- Test transfer operation by simulating outage
Maintenance Plan Pricing
Peak Power Systems offers maintenance plans to simplify generator care:
Annual Service
$295–$395
- • Complete inspection and tune-up
- • Oil and filter change
- • Air filter service
- • Battery test and cleaning
- • Load test
Maintenance Agreement
$450–$550/year
- • Everything in annual service
- • Priority scheduling
- • 10% parts discount
- • Extended labor warranty
- • Emergency service priority
Schedule Generator Maintenance
Keep your generator ready for the next PSPS event with professional maintenance from Peak Power Systems. We service all Generac generators throughout East County San Diego.