Using a portable generator after a storm—or anytime—begins with safety. Don’t run it indoors or in any enclosed space. Keep it a minimum of 10 feet (20 is better) from your home or neighboring home. Run it on a flat, stable surface like a driveway or patio. Only use heavy duty, outdoor rated extension cords. Choose a location that discourages tampering or theft.
Prep Your Portable Home Backup Generator for Winter
It’s not even officially winter yet, and winter storms have already affected some parts of the Northeast and Northwest. Areas downwind of the Great Lakes saw snowfall measured in feet instead of inches. Although winter doesn’t officially start until December 21st, some parts of the country can expect heavy snow by mid-November.
Winter storms with snow, ice, and wind wreak havoc on the power grid and leave homeowners without power—sometimes for days. On the West Coast, Public Safety Power Shutoffs occur into late January.
Many homeowners use a portable generator for backup power. Some serve double duty for RVs, camping, tailgating, outdoor events, or on the job. Whether purchased for home backup or other use, prepping your generator for winter ensures it will be ready when you need it most—during an power outage.
Considering a portable generator purchase? 5000-6000 running watts is a good starting point, and you might need more power for critical circuits. Check the specifications for Total Harmonic Distortion. Anything greater than 5-6 percent may not work for some electronics or appliances with sensitive electronics. 3-5 percent will run anything.
Get a Transfer Switch
A manual transfer switch is the easiest, safest way to use a portable generator for backup power. Connect with a single generator cord instead of multiple extension cords. With a transfer switch, you can power the furnace and other select circuits like your sump pump, refrigerator, freezer, lights, and more.
When engaged, the manual transfer switch isolates the generator power from the incoming utility lines. Important since you don’t want to endanger utility line workers or overload the generator. A Generator Cable connects the generator to the transfer switch through an inlet box. This method protects the integrity of your home’s electrical wiring, safeguards the generator, and eliminates running multiple extension cords from the generator into the house.
Perform Maintenance
We all know that the longer an engine sits without running, the harder it is to start. Don’t wait until it is zero degrees and a power outage hits. Do the required maintenance ahead of time. The owner’s manual has the maintenance intervals. Before winter, count on changing the oil, air and oil filters, and the spark plug. Keep a generator maintenance kit or two on hand to maintain your generator through a long outage. Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank and run the generator for a few minutes to replace the fuel in the system with stabilized fuel.
Fall prep is a good time to rotate your fuel supply. Pour the gas from your stored fuel into the car and then fill up the gas cans with fresh fuel. Add fuel stabilizer according to the directions on the bottle.
Finally, start your generator about once a month. Plug in a moderate load like a space heater and let it run for fifteen to twenty minutes. Shut the fuel off and let the generator empty the fuel system for you.
If you’re expecting a storm that could knock out power, start the generator and let it warm up with the space heater plugged in. You’ll be glad at 2:00 in the morning when the generator starts right up.
Electric Start Portable Generator
Electric Start
The battery in your electric start portable generator may go long periods without use. If your generator doesn’t have a charger/maintainer, it’s a good idea to connect a battery charger once a month to top off the charge. Use the ‘trickle’ setting. A battery charger with an automatic shutoff is a good investment because it won’t overcharge the battery.
The last thing you need is a battery that fails in the middle of a storm when you’re snowed in and need power now. Check the battery date. If it’s near time for replacement, do it now instead of waiting for it to fail. Even if you haven’t used the generator much, batteries do age. Keeping your battery for this season? Clean the terminals and make sure all connections are tight.
Placement
Plan where you will place your generator ahead of time and keep that area clear of snow. Shovel a path from the generator location to the inlet box. Connecting the generator is much easier when you plan for it in advance.
Safe Placement For Portable Generators
Place generators at least ten feet away from the house and never near an open window, vent, door, or other opening. Differences in air temperature can pull exhaust fumes through a small opening—such as that created by an extension cord through a window—and cause sickness or even death. Never run a generator or any internal combustion engine within an enclosed space such as a garage or shed, or inside your home. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can accumulate to deadly levels in just minutes. Always run generators out of doors.
Upgrade
Portable Generators can be a lifesaver when you need them, but they are not ideal for everyone. They need a constant supply of fresh fuel. Traditional models are loud and noisy. If you’re not home to connect and start the generator, it won’t run. The power quality of some models may not be suitable for electronics or appliances with sensitive electronics.
Inverter Generators make less noise and use less fuel. They may even have a remote start feature. Although more expensive, the power quality meets or exceeds utility power.
A permanently installed standby generator runs automatically during a power outage whether you’re at home, work, or halfway around the world. The natural gas or propane fuel supply keeps them running for days or even weeks without refueling. They offer peace of mind no matter where you are. Never worry about the pipes freezing, the basement flooding, or the food spoiling in the refrigerator. With utility-quality power, they can supply even the most sensitive of electronics.
Updated December 14, 2024 by MJ Logan
