Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in New England—and with it comes backyard gatherings, long weekends at the camp, and the first real stretch of warm weather. It also marks the beginning of storm season. Before you fire up the grill, take fifteen minutes and run through this quick generator checklist. If you haven’t had your generator serviced yet this year, there’s no better time to schedule it than right now.
Check the Control Panel
Walk out to your generator and take a look at the control panel. Is it set to AUTO? Are there any active fault codes or warning lights? If anything looks out of the ordinary, note the code and call Pow’r Point—don’t wait until a storm is bearing down to find out something is wrong.
Verify Fuel Supply
If your generator runs on propane, check your tank level now. Summer weekends are busy for propane suppliers, and delivery windows can stretch. Getting a fill scheduled before the holiday rush means you won’t be scrambling in the middle of a summer outage. Natural gas customers can skip this step—but it’s still worth confirming your gas service is active and the shutoff valve near the generator is open.
Clear the Area Around the Unit
Spring has a way of leaving things behind—dead leaves, pine needles, blown-in debris, and fast-growing grass and shrubs. Take a few minutes to clear a three-foot perimeter around your generator. Good airflow is essential, especially as summer temperatures climb.
Listen During the Next Exercise Cycle
Most standby generators exercise automatically once a week. Make a point of being home and listening during the next scheduled run. Does it start smoothly? Does it sound the way it always has? Any new noises—knocking, rattling, surging—are worth a call to us.
Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
While you’re thinking about your generator, take sixty seconds to test the CO detectors in your home. Press the test button on each unit. If any are more than five years old or the battery is low, replace them now. This one is non-negotiable.
Schedule Service If You Haven’t Already
If it’s been more than a year since a Pow’r Point technician looked at your generator, this weekend is your reminder. Summer is our busiest season for emergency calls—the best way to avoid being on that list is to get ahead of any issues now, while scheduling is flexible and the weather is cooperative.
Have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. And if you have any questions about your generator or want to get a service visit on the books, give us a call at (207) 864-2787 or contact us online. We’re here when you need us.
