Living on Florida’s Treasure Coast means hurricane and tropical storm preparation is part of life. We prepare our homes, stock up on supplies, secure outdoor furniture, and keep an eye on the forecast. But if you rely on a standby generator for backup power, there’s another important item to add to your storm checklist: making sure your generator is actually ready to run when you need it.
A whole-home standby generator is designed to automatically provide backup power when utility power goes out. But like any mechanical system, it needs to be maintained and prepared before severe weather arrives.
For homeowners throughout Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City, Okeechobee, Tequesta, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, and surrounding communities, the best time to find a generator problem is before a storm is approaching—not after the power goes out.
Here’s what you should check.
1. Don’t Wait Until a Hurricane Is on the Map
One of the most important things Florida homeowners can do is prepare early.
Once a hurricane or tropical storm begins threatening the Treasure Coast, generator service companies can experience a significant increase in calls. Homeowners who haven’t thought about their generator for months suddenly want to make sure it’s ready.
If your generator is due for maintenance, has displayed a warning, failed an exercise cycle, or hasn’t been professionally inspected recently, take care of it before severe weather is approaching.
Preventive service gives you time to identify and correct potential problems while parts, technicians, and scheduling options are more readily available.
2. Make Sure Your Standby Generator Is Exercising Properly
Most automatic standby generators are programmed to perform regular exercise cycles. Pay attention to yours.
If you normally hear your generator run at a particular time each week and suddenly don’t, don’t assume everything is fine. Check the generator’s status and look for alerts, warning lights, or error messages. If you are unsure of the exercise schedule, call the Always Ready office; exercise times may be noted when they can be displayed.
A generator that isn’t completing its normal exercise cycle may need attention.
And remember: a successful exercise cycle doesn’t replace routine maintenance. It tells you the generator can start and run its exercise program, but there are other components that should still be inspected and maintained.
3. Check for Warning Lights or Error Messages
Take a few minutes to look at your generator before hurricane season and periodically throughout the storm season.
Depending on your generator, an LED indicator may show its status. If needed, open the lid to view the displayed error code. If you see a warning or error you don’t recognize, don’t simply clear it and hope for the best. Determine what caused it or have the system professionally evaluated.
The goal isn’t just to get the warning light to disappear. It’s to know that your generator will be ready to operate under load during an actual outage.
4. Stay Current on Generator Maintenance
Florida can be a demanding environment for outdoor equipment. Our generators deal with heat, humidity, heavy rain, insects, vegetation, and—especially closer to the coast—salt-laden air. Routine maintenance is an important part of keeping a standby generator dependable.
Depending on the generator and its service schedule, maintenance may include inspecting or replacing items such as:
• Engine oil and filters
• Air filters
• Spark plugs
• Battery and connections
• Belts, hoses, and other components where applicable
• Electrical connections and system components
• Enclosure and ventilation areas
Your generator manufacturer’s maintenance schedule should always be followed. If you’re unsure when your generator was last serviced, it’s worth finding out before the next storm.
5. Look Around the Generator
Your generator needs adequate airflow to operate properly. Keep at least 18 inches of clear space around the unit.
Walk around the generator and remove leaves, grass clippings, weeds, vines, debris, or other materials that have accumulated nearby. Make sure landscaping hasn’t grown too close to the enclosure, and make sure sprinklers are not spraying the generator.
Also look for obvious signs of damage or deterioration. Never place storm supplies, lawn furniture, plywood, fuel containers, garbage cans, or other objects against or on top of the generator. Keep the area surrounding the generator clear before the storm arrives.
6. Consider the Generator’s Fuel Supply
A permanently installed standby generator commonly operates using natural gas or propane, depending on the property and system.
If your generator uses propane, don’t wait until a storm is approaching to think about your fuel level. Check the gauge on top of the tank, which displays the fuel level as a percentage. If the tank is getting close to 40%, arrange to have it filled before severe weather approaches.
Actual generator runtime depends on factors such as generator size, electrical load, fuel supply, and operating conditions. As a practical example, a 500-gallon propane supply may support roughly 7–10 days of operation, depending on those variables.
If your generator uses natural gas, homeowners should understand where their gas shutoff is located but should not make changes to the fuel system unless qualified to do so.
A standby generator can only provide backup power as long as it has an adequate fuel supply.
7. Think About What Your Generator Will Need to Power
Not every generator installation is designed to power an entire house in exactly the same way. Some systems provide whole-home backup, while others are designed around selected circuits or essential loads.
Before a storm, understand what your system is intended to support. A load test can be performed during maintenance, or homeowners can follow the guidance in their owner’s manual.
• Air conditioning
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Lights
• Well or water equipment
• Internet and communications
• Security systems
• Medical equipment
• Garage doors
• Selected kitchen appliances
• Other essential household circuits
If you’re unsure about your generator’s capacity or what it was designed to operate, have the system evaluated rather than discovering its limitations during an extended outage.
8. Don’t Try to Repair a Generator During Severe Weather
If your generator doesn’t start during an outage, safety comes first. A hurricane is not the time to begin taking apart a generator or attempting repairs you’re not trained to perform.
Generators combine electricity, fuel, hot surfaces, moving mechanical components, and exhaust gases. Conditions may also be wet, windy, dark, or otherwise unsafe following a storm.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your system and contact a qualified generator professional when service is required. Never enter standing water around electrical equipment, and never attempt electrical or fuel-system repairs unless you are properly qualified.
9. Keep Your Generator Service Information Handy
When the power is already out, you don’t want to start searching through old paperwork to figure out whom to call. Before a storm:
• Save your generator service provider’s phone number in your phone.
• Know the manufacturer and model of your generator.
• Keep relevant service records accessible.
• Know approximately when the unit was last maintained.
• Take note of any recent warnings or unusual operation.
• If you have an Always Ready GMA, keep that information handy. GMA customers receive priority service.
If service is required, having this information available can make communication much easier. The Always Ready office should also have service information for its customers.
10. Prepare for More Than a Short Power Outage
On the Treasure Coast, a hurricane can create more than a momentary interruption. Depending on storm damage, some areas may experience extended outages. That’s why generator preparation shouldn’t focus solely on whether the unit starts.
You want confidence that the entire backup-power system is prepared for extended operation. That includes the generator itself, its maintenance condition, fuel availability, electrical system, transfer equipment, and the loads you’re expecting it to support.
After the Storm: Continue Paying Attention to Your Generator
Generator care doesn’t end when the storm passes.
If your standby generator has operated for an extended period, continue to monitor it and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding inspections and maintenance. An oil change is recommended every 100 hours of runtime.
Long operating periods can create different service needs than normal weekly exercise cycles. Once utility power has been restored and conditions are safe, it may be appropriate to have the generator inspected or serviced—particularly after extended use.
Treasure Coast Hurricane Generator Preparation
Hurricanes are unpredictable. Your generator preparation doesn’t have to be.
A little attention before storm season—and before individual storms approach—can help identify problems while there is still time to address them.Always Ready Generators helps homeowners throughout the region keep their standby generator systems prepared for Florida’s demanding conditions.
Whether you’re in Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City, Okeechobee, Tequesta, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, or a surrounding community, don’t wait until the lights go out to find out whether your backup power system is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I prepare my standby generator for a hurricane?
Ideally, generator maintenance and repairs should be handled well before a hurricane threatens your area. Don’t wait for a named storm to be approaching Florida before scheduling needed service.
Should I test my standby generator before a storm?
Standby generators generally perform scheduled automatic exercise cycles. Homeowners should make sure the system is operating normally and isn’t displaying warnings or errors. In addition, the owner’s manual recommends performing a load test every six months. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for testing and operation.
How long can a standby generator run after a hurricane?
It depends on the generator, fuel source, available fuel, electrical load, maintenance condition, and other operating factors. As a practical example, a 500-gallon propane supply may support roughly 7–10 days of operation, depending on load and operating conditions.
Can my standby generator run my air conditioner?
Many properly sized standby-generator systems can support air conditioning, but it depends on the generator capacity, AC equipment, electrical loads, and how the system was designed. A generator professional can evaluate your specific setup.
Does a standby generator need maintenance after running for several days?
Yes. Extended operation can require inspections or maintenance based on the generator manufacturer’s specifications. An oil change is recommended every 100 hours of runtime. Consult the owner’s manual and your generator service provider for the requirements of your particular system.
What should I do if my generator doesn’t start during a hurricane?
Check the generator’s status or display only when conditions are safe and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid attempting electrical, mechanical, or fuel-system repairs during hazardous weather. Contact a qualified generator service professional for assistance. If you have an Always Ready GMA, GMA customers receive priority service.