Preparation Should Start Before the Storm Has a Name
Living in South Carolina means enjoying everything the Lowcountry offers, but it also means taking hurricane season seriously. For homeowners in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Johns Island, James Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and nearby communities, preparation should begin before a storm enters the forecast cone.
Your Generac automatic home standby generator is an important part of that preparation. When utility power fails, a properly operating system detects the outage, starts automatically and transfers the home to generator power. But automatic operation does not mean the equipment can be ignored until the lights go out.
A Weekly Exercise Is Not a Full Readiness Test
A generator that exercises every week may still have a weak battery, overdue maintenance, an active warning, a fuel-supply issue or a problem that only appears under load. Before hurricane season, the generator, transfer switch, fuel system and load-management equipment should be checked as a complete system.
- Engine oil and filter
- Battery condition and charging system
- Air filter and spark plugs
- Fuel lines, connections and leak indications
- Transfer switch and automatic operation
- Warning lights, alarms and fault history
- Mobile Link connectivity and notifications
- Airflow and clearance around the enclosure
Do Not Ignore Yellow or Red Lights
Generac identifies a red LED as a critical alarm and a yellow LED as a maintenance notification. Address either condition before severe weather arrives. If the generator is enrolled in Generac Mobile Link, remote status information can provide another layer of awareness, especially if you evacuate.
Give the Generator Room to Breathe
Clear leaves, pine straw, branches, shrubs and other obstructions from around the enclosure. Generac advises maintaining at least three feet of clear space when preparing for severe weather. After high winds, check the area again only when it is safe to go outside.
How WingatePower Helps Before the Storm
WingatePower can provide scheduled Generac maintenance, battery testing and replacement, oil and filter service, fuel-system inspection, alarm diagnosis, transfer-switch checks, automatic-operation verification, Mobile Link support, load-management inspection and an overall hurricane-readiness evaluation.
The best time to find a generator problem is before the power goes out. Do not wait for the cone.
Safety Comes First
A standby generator does not make an unsafe home safe. Follow evacuation orders and official instructions. Know your evacuation zone, protect important documents, prepare medications and emergency supplies, and maintain a family communication plan. Never remain in a structure threatened by storm surge, flooding, tornadoes or hurricane-force winds simply because it has backup power.
