Is Your Backup Generator Ready for Texas Winter Weather?

Texans know just how unpredictable our winters can quickly become. One day, we’re enjoying mild temperatures, and the next, an ice storm knocks out power across entire neighborhoods. A backup generator serves as your home or business’s safety net during these emergencies, automatically detecting power outages and switching on to keep your must-have systems running.

But what happens when your backup generator is on the fritz? At Premier Generators of Texas, we specialize in Generac® standby generators near Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. Our team is here to share tips for keeping yours in working order, as well as the signs to look out for when considering a replacement.

A backup generator is a system that constantly monitors your home's electrical supply, waiting to spring into action in the event of a power outage. When it detects an outage, the transfer switch disconnects your home from the utility lines and connects it to the backup generator instead.

Within seconds, your power should flow back through your circuits, keeping your space or business comfortable and safe. Your generator automatically shuts off once utility power gets restored, switching your home back to the grid with no effort on your part.

Your backup generator may show warning signs before it fails during an outage, such as:

• Hearing strange noises, like knocking or grinding, during operation.
• Having difficulty starting during monthly tests, including hesitation or failure to turn over.
• Noticing oil leaks beneath your unit.
• Detecting inconsistent power output that causes your lights to flicker or dim.
• Smelling fuel odors or experiencing unusually fast fuel consumption.
  

Near Dallas-Fort Worth, our certified team performs regular tune-ups that extend the lifespan and reliability of residential and commercial backup generators. We recommend establishing an annual or bi-annual maintenance plan schedule that aligns with the region’s typical weather patterns.

Here are a few routine tasks that keep your backup generators running smoothly:

Backup generator oil and filter tasks include:

• Checking oil levels and changing oil every 100-200 hours of operation or annually.
• Replacing air filters once or twice per year, with more frequent changes needed in dusty conditions, like extended droughts.
  

Battery maintenance for residential and commercial backup generators encompasses:

Inspecting connections and cleaning any corrosion from terminals.

Testing batteries regularly and replacing them every three to four years to prevent starting failures.

A couple of tasks for fuel system care involve:

• Examining fuel quality for propane or natural gas units and adding fuel stabilizer for diesel models.
• Running the generator monthly under load for at least 30 minutes to keep components lubricated and prevent fuel system issues.
  

Even well-maintained generators eventually reach the end of their service life. Regular professional inspections help extend equipment longevity, but no generator lasts forever. The lifespan depends on usage patterns and the level of maintenance provided.

Age alone doesn't determine when it’s time to replace your backup generator, but certain signs indicate when upgrading makes more sense financially and logistically. Frequent breakdowns suggest that your system is no longer providing reliable protection, and you need to contact our Generac® backup generator installation team.

Additionally, parts availability becomes problematic for discontinued models, potentially leaving you in a difficult position during emergencies. Meanwhile, your power needs may have grown beyond the capacity of your generator as you've added appliances or other equipment to your home or business. Outdated technology means you're missing out on modern efficiency improvements and monitoring features that newer models provide.

Generac® generators offer improved fuel efficiency, quieter operation, and better monitoring capabilities. They even connect to smartphone apps that alert you to problems and track maintenance schedules, giving you the confidence to face Texas winters.

Our Premier Generators of Texas team keeps North Texas homes and businesses protected during winter storms and power outages. We provide comprehensive maintenance services, emergency repairs, and professional installations of Generac® backup generators.

Contact us online or call (214) 945-2525 for an appointment. Premier Generators of Texas proudly serves our surrounding neighbors, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Colin County, McKinney, Plano, Tarrant County, and Denton County, TX.