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Generator Services
Whether you are a home or business owner, having backup power on standby is important to keep your facilities running in the event of a power outage. At D’Amico Electric, we provide the widest selection of reliable generators for your energy needs. We are direct sales dealers of leading generator brands like Kohler, Generac, and so on.
How To Tell If You Need A Standby Generator
Most Americans need a standby generator. We all rely heavily on our electrical lighting, appliances, and electronics, in order to function every day. For those who frequently work from home, the necessity is even more significant. And telecommuting is on the rise. In fact, 79% more people were working from home in 2012 than in 2005, representing 2.6 percent of the American workforce. During the pandemic, the number skyrocketed placing heavy demand on the power grid. As the trend continues, it will become even more important to have a standby backup generator installed by electrical professionals for your energy needs.
Generator Benefits
The most significant benefit of a standby generator is that it allows you to continue your activities without interruption. Today’s generators automatically sense a power outage and make the switch to generator power without you having to venture into the freezing weather trying to remember how to start up that portable generator you have somewhere in the recesses of your garage.
If you’re away from home at the time of the power outage, you can rest assured the ice cream in your freezer and milk in your fridge will be kept as cold as you need it to be when you return. In addition, most models can utilize existing natural gas or propane sources, instead of requiring gasoline or other fuel sources like portable generators typically do.
Generator Maintenance Service
We offer yearly maintenance programs to prevent problems with your generator. To ensure high quality consistent power, we offer 4 service levels: level 1 entails 1 yearly visit, level 2 entails 2 yearly visits, level 3 entails 3 yearly visits, and level 4 entails 4 yearly visits. Our licensed generator technicians will check the ignition, the engine, the cooling system, the exhaust system, the fuel system, the battery, the starting system, the electrical wiring, the automatic switch, and perform final checks. Contact the office to request a form with a detailed description and prices.
Generator Costs
It can be difficult to bite the bullet and purchase a standby generator when it’s something you will rarely use. It’s a decision only you can make, but you need to weigh it carefully. Think beyond the T-bone steaks in the freezer and the hassle of living by candlelight or flashlights in the event of a power outage. For example, if you work from home, the lost wages and productivity may be significant enough to make a backup generator worth it.
If you want to get a standby generator, you can reach out to our electricians at D’Amico Electric and we will set it up for you. If you feel a portable generator is best for you, no problem. We can install and get your portable generator up and running.
Save Gas During Prolonged Power Outages
These three steps help you conserve gas and prevent wear and tear during extended power outages.
- First, locate the breaker on the generator, it will be a double pole breaker (2 breaker switches attached together). Depending on your unit, the breaker will vary in size (60 amp, 100amp, etc.) and location.
- After you locate the breaker, you will need to shut it off.
- Once the breaker is shut off you can then shut down your generator by using the auto/off/manual toggle switch. Just push the switch to the off position and the generator will then shut down.
**Warning if you leave the generator in the off position for a prolonged period of time (6-8 hours) it will still draw power from the battery and will need to be restarted periodically to avoid draining the battery.** In this situation a booster pack can be used to restart the generator if the battery goes dead.
Shutting Off Generator
To shut off your generator, follow these easy steps:
- First, locate the breaker on the generator, it will be a double pole breaker (2 switches attached together). Depending on your unit, the breaker will vary in size (60 amp, 100amp, etc.) and location.
- After you locate the breaker, you will need to put it in the “OFF” position.
- Once the breaker is shut off, you can then shut down your generator.
- Go to the generator and locate the toggle switch labeled “Auto/Off/Manual”. Just push the switch to the “OFF” position and the generator will then shut down/stop running.
Checking The Oil Level
If you want to change the oil in your generator, it is recommended to do the following
- Lift up the top of the generator.
- Shut the braker off, then press off button to shut down the generator.
- Let the generator cool down for 15-20 minutes if it has been running.
- Lift the front of the generator up and off.
- Locate the dipstick, pull it out, wipe off the dipstick with cloth, then re-insert the dipstick two or three times to get an accurate oil level. Check the dipstick for oil level – the oil level must be between 2 dotted holes.
- If the level is low – Use 5W20 Synthetic Oil.
- Unscrew the oil cap and ONLY add 1/4 of a quart of oil at a time – Use a funnel so it does not spill.
- Let the oil settle for 15 seconds and re-check the oil level.
- Add 1/4 quart at a time until the oil level is full. DO NOT OVERFILL OR SPILL THE OIL as this can cause the generator to smoke and create a burning smell.
- After adding the oil, tighten the screw cap well. Not doing so can loosen the screw cap and send oil everywhere during the generator’s operation.
PS: If your generator is running continuously, you must check the oil every 48 hours of run time.
Restarting The Generator
- On the generator – push the “Auto/Off/Manual” toggle switch back to the “Auto” position.
- Once the generator starts back up, let it run for about 15 seconds.
- Go back to the double 2 pole Breaker and push it back to the “ON” position.
It’s normal to hear the generator drop down in speed for a moment but you will hear it come back up to speed almost immediately.
TIPS:
- If your utility power comes back on during the time you had the generator shut down manually, don’t forget to put the generator toggle switch back into “AUTO” and the double 2 pole breaker back into the “ON” position. If you don’t, the generator will not start-up in the event that you lose power again.
- If you leave the generator in the “OFF” position for a prolonged period (6-8 hours) it will start to draw power from the battery and will need to be restarted periodically to avoid draining the battery. In this situation, a portable jumper or booster pack can be used to restart the generator if the battery goes dead.
For more information about our generator services, contact us at 914-241-6909 today!
D’Amico Electric
213 Railroad Ave
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
