The point of a generator is to have a backup for the power in your home in case of an emergency electrical outage. A generator that isn’t dependable and ready to leap in the moment you need it, well, that tends to defeat the whole point of the generator. This is why you need to pay attention to any signs that it’s time to call our team for generator repair in Rockville, MD. We’ll help you see that your standby generator provides you with peace of mind that it will work when your family needs it to.
Some Common Warning Signs of a Faulty Generator
The difficulty with noticing generator problems is that generators tend to only run during emergencies. This doesn’t give you many opportunities to detect problems with it. We recommend turning the generator on every few months to test it so you can see if there are issues.
- Start-up trouble: A generator might delay starting up, with its motors struggling similar to a car whose engine won’t turn over. Even if the generator eventually starts up and seems to run fine, you’ll want to have the starting trouble looked at by professionals. There could be a much bigger problem developing.
- Flickering lights and other power supply problems: When you test run your generator, look around the house to check on the consistency of the power flow. Flickering lights are an immediate warning that the generator isn’t delivering steady electrical flow. Also look to see if all the appliances you want to run will turn on.
- No power: If your generator comes on, but your home isn’t getting any electricity from it, then something is definitely wrong. The likely cause is a disruption in the connection between the generator and the electrical system for your home. Any electrical concern like this is a job best left to professionals.
- Loud or strange noises: You should be familiar with the sounds the generator makes when it runs. This is one of the reasons we recommend testing it periodically. When loud or unusual sounds start to emerge while the generator operates, the generator is likely heading for serious trouble. Listen for mechanical shrieking and grinding noises and electrical humming and buzzing—these are the most common warning sounds.
- Strange odors: A generator can also create odd smells to warn that something is going wrong. And by odd smells, we mean any smells—generators shouldn’t generate odors at all. If you smell something, it can indicate a gas leak or burning electrical components. Shut off the generator immediately and call us for repair service.
- External damage: Give the generator housing an inspection to look for signs it may have sustained damage. This can be from pests, corrosion, or weather events.
- Generator won’t run: This isn’t really a “sign” something is wrong—it’s just something wrong. But don’t hesitate to call us to inspect and repair the unit. The sooner you have your generator back to normal, the safer you’ll feel. Procrastination can truly leave you in the dark.
When you need generator repairs, just contact B&B Air Conditioning & Heating Service. We are always there when you need us.