When the power goes out, your generator switches on automatically to keep your business running. Generators protect your employees, property and goods during emergencies. However, they also require maintenance to operate — and without upkeep, your new generator might be useless.
1. Fewer Expenses
Generator maintenance comes with a yearly fee, but it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Professionals check your generator for various issues, such as coolant leaks, blocked gas lines, broken spark plugs and low fuel. When they catch an issue, they’ll perform repairs and test your generator to ensure that it’s working correctly.
While it might seem safe to assume that your generator is functioning, most businesses don’t use their generators often. Your equipment could break down during the downtime, and you won’t notice that this has happened until you turn it on. Even if you regularly check your generator, you could miss a subtle issue. Eventually, your equipment will stop working, forcing you to pay for repairs.
Broken generators often add to business expenses. If you sell refrigerated goods, a power outage might force you to throw everything away, causing a massive loss. Without maintenance, your equipment will keep breaking down and require replacement sooner rather than later.
2. Increased Safety
Fuel-burning generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), which is an odorless, colorless gas that causes illnesses and sometimes even death. A malfunctioning generator could leak deadly gas into your business. Signs of CO poisoning include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and body aches.
Your business should have working CO detectors, but generator inspections offer additional protection. Technicians may catch leaks early and replace your generator before it causes a safety hazard. Inspections also prevent fires and electrical shocks that create serious injuries.
3. Help During Emergencies
An emergency is the worst time to find out that your generator isn’t working. This is particularly dangerous for rural businesses that don’t have neighbors down the street. If you don’t have a landline and your smartphone batteries die, you can’t call for help. Medical equipment, such as air purifiers and nebulizers, stops working and puts employees at risk.
When the lights go out at night, office equipment and furniture create tripping hazards. Customers could injure themselves and file lawsuits. Worse, your HVAC system might go out, exposing your property to extreme temperatures.
Generator maintenance ensures that the power stays on when the grid goes dark. You’ll be able to attend to customers and coworkers in a comfortable, well-lit building with working phones in case you need to call emergency services. If phones don’t work, you’ll have internet access. Medical equipment will keep working, protecting your employees with disabilities.
Overall, generator maintenance protects your investment and extends your equipment’s lifespan. Call our team at Fisher Electric for generator services in Cupertino or anywhere else in the Central Coast area.
