Home Generator Maintenance Checklist 2025

Like a car engine, your standby generator requires clean oil and a fresh filter. Over time, oil breaks down, loses its lubricating properties and collects contaminants that can cause engine wear, overheating, and inefficiency. Regular oil changes prevent these issues, ensuring your generator runs smoothly and efficiently. If your generator has been used heavily due to power outages or extreme weather, frequent oil changes are even more crucial to maintain peak performance.

• Check your generator’s manual for the recommended oil type.
• Drain old oil and replace it with fresh oil.
• Install a new oil filter to remove contaminants and prevent engine wear.
• Run the generator for a few minutes to ensure proper lubrication

Your generator’s air filter is the first line of defense against dirt, dust, and debris that could enter the engine. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, forcing the engine to work harder, overheat, and consume more fuel. This can reduce efficiency and potentially cause long-term damage. Air filters can become clogged more quickly for homes in Florida (where Genstar is located) or other areas prone to heavy pollen, humidity, or dust, making regular inspections and replacements vital. Keeping the air filter clean ensures optimal airflow, fuel efficiency, and peak performance during any power outage.

• Inspect your air filter every 6 months.
• Replace it if it appears clogged, torn, or excessively dirty.
• Always use a manufacturer-approved replacement for optimal performance.

Belts and hoses are essential to your generator’s cooling, fuel, and electrical systems, ensuring that power flows smoothly to the necessary components. Over time, heat, moisture, and mechanical stress exposure can cause belts to crack, fray, or slip, while hoses can become brittle, develop leaks, or clog. A broken belt or hose can lead to overheating, sudden power loss, or fuel delivery issues, potentially causing complete generator failure.

• Check for fraying, cracks, or loose connections.
• Tighten or replace any worn-out belts or hoses.
• Ensure coolant hoses are free of leaks and blockages.

Spark plugs are essential for ignition, and a dirty or worn-out spark plug can cause hard starts, poor performance, or misfires in your generator. Over time, spark plugs can become fouled with carbon deposits, preventing them from firing properly. If your generator is slow to start or running rough, it could be due to old or malfunctioning spark plugs. Regular cleaning and timely replacements help your generator start immediately after power goes out.

• Remove and inspect spark plugs every 1-2 years.
• If corroded or dirty, replace them with manufacturer-approved plugs.
• Ensure the spark plugs are properly gapped for optimal performance.

Your generator needs to be ready to perform at a moment’s notice, and the best way to ensure that is through routine testing under load. Simply starting the generator isn’t enough—it must be tested under real-world conditions to verify that it can handle your home or business’s power needs. Regular testing prevents stale fuel issues, lubricates engine components, and ensures that automatic transfer functions work smoothly.

Performing a monthly test-run under load helps confirm that your generator is ready for an actual emergency situation.

• Run your generator under load (with appliances connected) for 30 minutes at least once a month.
• Listen for irregular noises or delays in power delivery.
• Check for excessive smoke or unusual smells, which could indicate fuel or exhaust issues.