Homeowner Education Corner: Understanding Your Home Standby Generator

A home standby generator is one of the most important systems in your home — yet many homeowners don’t fully understand how these systems work, what routine care they need, or how to spot early warning signs of trouble. In this edition of Homeowner Education Corner, we’re breaking down the essential information every generator owner should know to protect their investment, avoid unnecessary repairs, and ensure reliable performance during outages.

Whether you’re new to generator ownership or you’ve had a standby system for years, this guide will help you better understand how your generator works and what it needs to stay in top condition.

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What Exactly Does a Home Standby Generator Do?

A standby generator is designed to automatically restore power to your home when the electrical grid fails. Within seconds of an outage, your generator:

1. Detects the loss of power
2. Signals the transfer switch
3. Starts the engine
4. Supplies electricity to your home’s circuits

When grid power returns, the generator automatically shuts down and returns to standby mode.

This seamless transition is possible because your system is constantly monitoring your home’s electrical supply — even when it hasn’t run in months.

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Understanding Generator Types: Air-Cooled vs. Liquid-Cooled

Not all generators operate the same way. Knowing which type you have helps you understand its power, maintenance needs, and long-term expectations.

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Air-Cooled Generators

• Most common in residential homes
• Use fans to cool the engine
• Designed for moderate loads and intermittent use
• More affordable upfront

These units are reliable and cost-effective for the majority of homeowners.

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Liquid-Cooled Generators

• Use a radiator and coolant, similar to a car
• Handle heavier loads and longer run times
• Ideal for large homes or frequent outages
• Quieter and more durable

If you’re unsure which type you have, MGS can help identify your unit and recommend the best maintenance plan.

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Why Routine Maintenance Is So Important

Generators are unique: they must perform instantly during emergencies but spend most of their life idle. That combination creates very specific maintenance needs.

Without proper care, even the highest-quality generator can fail because of:

• Old or degraded oil
• Weak batteries
• Clogged air filters
• Faulty sensors
• Loose wiring
• Rodent or insect damage
• Blocked intake vents
• Missed exercise cycles

Regular maintenance keeps these small issues from turning into big problems during a power outage.

At a minimum, homeowners should schedule one Major PM service and one Minor PM service each year, but many prefer multi-year plans with battery and spark plug replacements built in.

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What Happens During a Maintenance Visit?

Many homeowners assume maintenance is just a quick check — but a proper Preventative Maintenance (PM) service is a full inspection and tune-up. Here’s a sample of what our technicians look for:

✔ Lubrication system

Oil, filters, and fluid levels are inspected and replaced as needed.

✔ Cooling system

Airflow, vents, and cooling components are checked for obstructions.

✔ Electrical system

Battery voltage, connections, sensors, and controllers are tested.

✔ Fuel system

Lines, regulators, and fuel pressure are evaluated.

✔ Air and exhaust

Air filters are cleaned or replaced; exhaust is checked for safe venting.

✔ Internal health

Technicians examine wiring, seals, and critical components for wear.

✔ Software/firmware

Outdated firmware can cause alert malfunctions or performance issues.

✔ Full test run

The generator is run under load to verify proper operation.

This process ensures your generator is ready not only to start — but also to stay running throughout an extended outage.

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Why Your Generator Runs Weekly (and Why It Matters)

Most generators automatically perform a weekly exercise test — a brief run that keeps the engine lubricated and confirms basic functionality.

But here’s what many homeowners don’t know:

• The test doesn’t check the battery under real load
• It doesn’t detect airflow issues
• It doesn’t verify fuel pressure stability
• It won’t reveal rodent or debris damage
• It doesn’t evaluate long-term oil health

Think of it as your generator stretching — but not getting a full physical. Professional inspections are still crucial.

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Common Warning Signs Homeowners Should Watch For

Your generator often gives subtle hints before something goes wrong. Call for service if you notice:

• A red or yellow alert on the display
• The generator sounds different than usual
• The weekly test fails or seems irregular
• There’s visible debris, nesting, or rust inside the unit
• A strong fuel smell near the generator
• Oil spots beneath the unit
• Difficulty starting
• Vents blocked by snow, leaves, or landscaping

The earlier these issues are addressed, the less expensive they are to fix.

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Remote Monitoring: The Smartest Upgrade for Homeowners

Modern standby systems can now be monitored remotely using satellite-based technology. This provides:

• 24/7 real-time alerts
• Monitoring even when Wi-Fi and cellular networks are down
• Remote start capability from anywhere
• Oversight by a dedicated Client Success Manager
• Early detection of failures

Remote monitoring eliminates the #1 problem homeowners face: not knowing something is wrong until the generator fails during an outage.

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Extending the Life of Your Generator

With proper care, a standby generator can last 15–20 years or more. To maximize lifespan:

• Keep the surrounding area clear
• Replace your battery every 2–3 years
• Schedule annual PM service
• Use remote monitoring for early issue detection
• Don’t ignore warning alerts
• Avoid long gaps in exercise cycles
• Keep the generator clean and pest-free

Small actions add up to big savings over time.

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Final Thoughts: A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way

Your home standby generator is a powerful safeguard — and understanding how it works is the first step to keeping it running smoothly for years to come. With routine maintenance, remote monitoring, and a little homeowner awareness, you can dramatically reduce the risk of breakdowns and enjoy dependable backup power whenever you need it.

Managed Generator Services is always here to answer questions, perform inspections, or help you choose the right maintenance plan so your home stays Always On.

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