Having a generator on site is the best way to stay prepared in the face of an emergency. But how many years of weather extremes, grid failures, and unexpected blackouts can your equipment handle? What key factors impact how long it can continue to run? Answer all your questions and discover how to maximize the lifespan of your home generator today.
Why Should You Own a Generator?
You might not be able to predict power outages, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them disrupt your life. Buying a standby or portable home generator allows you to proactively prep for emergencies. If and when something does happen, you can power your home generator up, maintain comfortable conditions in your space, and protect your nearest and dearest without worry.
Should You Buy a Portable or Standby Home Generator?
Before you learn about the nitty-gritty of what it takes to ensure lasting reliability and how to repair generators, you’ll want to make sure you purchase the proper system for your needs. Choosing between a standby and portable home generator is the first step.
Permanently installed outside and designed to automatically turn on during outages, a standby home generator runs on natural gas or liquid propane. This type of design is best for homeowners who want to ensure seamless power.
Portable generators, on the other hand, are smaller, run on gasoline or propane, and require a manual setup. This makes them best for renters or for those who only need to power a minimal number of essential appliances during a disruption.
How Long Does a Home Generator Last?
The exact life expectancy of a home generator can vary from model to model, but in general, your equipment should last anywhere between 10 and 40 years. If it’s a smaller unit, it’s likely rated for 1,500 to 3,000 hours; if it’s a heavy-duty commercial system, it’s more likely to run for 10,000 to 30,000 hours. It’s important to note that the more you run your generator, the shorter its overall lifespan will be.
5 Factors That Affect Home Generator Lifespan:
- Usage: Home generators that are only activated during outages take on a minimal amount of wear and tear. If you intend to use your system daily or as a primary power source, it will require more frequent generator repairs and lessen its overall lifespan.
- Load capacity: Overloading the generator leads to overheating and unnecessary wear on internal components. If your generator is properly sized for your home’s energy needs, it will reduce stress on the system and prevent unnecessary generator fixes down the line.
- Fuel type: Home generators that rely on propane, diesel, or natural gas all have different maintenance needs, durability levels, and life expectancy. Typically, a diesel generator lasts between 15,000 and 30,000 hours, natural gas generators last around 10,000 to 20,000 hours, and gasoline-powered generators offer anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 hours.
- Maintenance routine: All generators need a certain level of upkeep to continue running smoothly. If you fail to replace certain Generac generator parts in time or neglect potential signs your generator needs to be fixed, your system’s lifespan decreases. Regular oil changes, filter swaps, and system inspections are mandatory.
- Installation quality: Professionally installed home generators are guaranteed to run efficiently and lead to fewer needs for generator repair down the line.
How Long Does a Portable Generator Last?
Portable generators might be smaller than standby home generators, but they sure are powerful. Providing they receive regular maintenance and repairs, these generators can last anywhere between 10 and 15 years, or around 2,000 to 3,000 hours of runtime. Portable generators are typically only used for shorter increments and can be stored away without being used for years at a time.
3 Factors That Affect the Lifespan of a Portable Generator:
- Duration of use: Letting the system sit idle without exercise or generator repair check-ins can cause fuel degradation and internal corrosion.
- Lack of servicing: Forgetting to change the oil, leaving dirty fuel in the carburetor, and ignoring signs of worn spark plugs can severely damage the lifespan of the engine.
- Environmental conditions: Storing the portable equipment in extremely hot, cold, damp, or dusty environments invites corrosion and leads to engine strain.
What Are the Signs You Need to Repair Your Generator?
It might be tempting to ignore a small issue with your model, but if you want to make sure your unit lasts as long as possible, understanding when it’s time to fix your generator is crucial. If you notice your equipment experiencing any of these signs of damage, call an operator and have your generator repaired ASAP.
Signs Your Home Generator Needs Repair:
- Slow start-up times
- Unusual noises
- Fluctuating power output
- Visible fluid leaks
- Frequent error codes
- Testing issues
- Excessive fuel consumption
How Can You Extend the Lifespan of a Backup Generator?
The key to keeping a home generator in working condition for longer lies in your maintenance routine. Since it may sit for months or years without use, it’s recommended that you run the equipment weekly to prevent moisture buildup, limit wet stacking, and remove any built-up debris. Make sure to check the oil during this time span and listen to any signs that your generator may need repairs.
What Kind of Replacement Parts Should You Buy to Fix Your Generator?
When it is time to repair your generator, it’s important that you buy specially designed replacement parts from trustworthy sources. Buying an aftermarket piece or a low-quality design can directly impact the longevity and performance of your portable and standby home generators.
Provided they are compatible with your specific model, genuine OEM Generac generator parts are the best on the market. Made by the original manufacturer to ensure your equipment can continue to run the way it was meant to, OEM Generac generator parts are worth every penny. The next time you need to fix your generator, stop by Generator Magic and browse our endless selection.
Whether you’re doing background research on the longevity of home generators before you buy or wondering how many years you have left of your current unit, doing your due diligence to understand what affects the lifespan of such equipment is worthwhile. Invest in your home and power on for decades to come with your very own generator.