If you have a standby generator, put it on your fall to-do list alongside the furnace. Start with two questions: when was it last serviced, and has it been running its scheduled exercise? If you can't answer either one, that's a good place to begin.
You don't need to take anything apart to get ready. Check the service record, note any warning on the controller, and have your model number handy when you call. We can help you work out what needs attention before winter.
Start with the service record, not the weather forecast
A generator that started last winter still needs its regular maintenance. Check your owner's manual for service intervals based on both time and operating hours, particularly if the unit ran through a long outage since its last visit.
When you book service, ask about the oil and filters, starting battery, charger, and transfer switch. The Kohler manual for its 14RCA/L, 20RCA/L, and 26RCA/L models, for example, includes separate battery and charger checks. Use the schedule for your own model rather than assuming every generator needs the same work.
A few things you can check this fall
- Look at the controller. If there's a warning, take a photo of the code before calling for service. Don't just reset it and hope the problem is gone.
- Check the exercise schedule. Confirm the unit is running when its controller says it should. Schedules vary by model; a short exercise isn't necessarily a fault. Your owner's manual is the reference.
- Check the space around it. Move stored items away and look for leaves, overgrown shrubs, or anything else blocking the clearances specified in the installation manual.
- If you use propane, check the gauge. Talk with your fuel supplier about winter deliveries before the tank gets low, especially if the same tank supplies your heating.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarms. Follow the alarm maker's testing and replacement instructions. The CDC recommends battery-powered or battery-backup CO detection when using a generator.
Ask about cold-weather equipment for your model
Cold-weather kits aren't one-size-fits-all. Kohler's 14RCA/L, 20RCA/L, and 26RCA/L manual recommends certain heaters for freezing conditions, with different guidance for some components and models. That isn't a reason to order a generic kit online.
For a Kohler or Cummins unit, send us the model number and ask what cold-weather equipment is already installed. We can check the manufacturer's recommendations and whether the existing equipment is working. There's no need to guess from the size or age of the enclosure.
Leave room for snow clearing
Plan where you'll put driveway snow so it doesn't end up against the generator. Keep the manufacturer's required intake, exhaust, and service clearances open, and follow the manual for safe snow removal. Don't build a cover or windbreak around a running unit.
Give the gas meter some attention, too. NIPSCO says to keep it visible and accessible, use a broom rather than a shovel to clear snow, and avoid piling snow against it. If ice has encased the meter, call the utility rather than chipping it off.
Using a portable generator instead?
The cold doesn't change the carbon monoxide rules. The CDC says to keep a portable generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Never run it inside a home, basement, or garage, even with the doors open.
If you want a portable generator connected to the home's wiring, ask an electrician about the proper connection equipment. Don't improvise a connection through a wall or dryer outlet. We can also help you compare that setup with a permanent standby generator.
A few questions before you book
Can a generator be installed in the winter?
Winter installation may be possible, but weather, site access, permits, and fuel-line work affect the schedule. Contact us about your property before planning around a particular installation date.
Does a standby generator need a cold weather kit in northern Indiana?
Check the instructions for your exact model. Cold-weather accessories and temperature recommendations vary, so send us the model number if you're unsure what your generator needs.
Does a successful exercise run mean the house is covered?
Not necessarily. An unloaded exercise checks the generator without switching the house onto backup power, as described in Kohler's exercise instructions. Ask us about checking the transfer switch and confirming which circuits your system supplies.
What should I do if the controller shows a warning?
Write down the code or take a photo and contact your service provider. Don't repeatedly reset the warning or assume it will clear itself before the next outage.
Banner Electric is based in Plymouth and has served northern Indiana since 1963. Find local generator information for Plymouth, Valparaiso, South Bend, Mishawaka, and Warsaw.
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