Before storm season, confirm the generator is ready to start, that its service is current, and that the fuel supply matches your outage plan. Then check whether the household still needs the same backup coverage it needed when the system was installed.
The checklist to complete before an outage is forecast
| Check | What to record | Follow-up if unresolved |
|---|---|---|
| Ready status | Normal ready/AUTO indication and any displayed warning. | Send the exact warning to the service provider. |
| Recent operation | Last successful exercise or outage run; any unusual behavior. | Ask why a scheduled exercise was missed or interrupted. |
| Maintenance | Current hours, last service date, and next applicable time/hour limit. | Book work before the earlier limit is reached. |
| Fuel readiness | Propane gauge and refill arrangement, or any known gas-supply issue. | Confirm capacity and delivery with the fuel provider. |
| Site changes | New plants, fencing, structures, runoff, or stored materials nearby. | Have changes assessed against the installation requirements. |
| Household changes | New HVAC, EV charger, pump, addition, or other substantial load. | Request a load-plan review. |
| Monitoring | Latest status timestamp and who receives alerts. | Resolve stale data or missing contacts. |
This is an owner planning checklist, not an instruction to open electrical enclosures. Use the exact equipment manual for permitted checks. Generac’s standby FAQ confirms that maintenance is necessary and directs owners to their model’s procedures.
Ask what the last test actually proved
“It ran last week” is useful information, but ask whether the exercise tested only the engine or also transferred the planned household loads. Keep any commissioning or service-test record that shows which loads were checked. If the house has changed, an old test cannot describe the new arrangement.
A practical service request is: “Please review the recent exercise history, the current maintenance requirements, and whether our intended loads still match the installation.” That gives the technician a defined question to answer.
Put the operating information in one place
Create a household reference with the model and serial number, service number, fuel supplier, approved owner instructions, and backup-circuit list. Add a copy of your latest service invoice. Someone else should be able to find that information if you are away.
Agree on who responds to a generator alert. An app notification does little if everyone assumes someone else has called. If monitoring goes offline, record when the last update arrived before reporting a generator failure; missing communications and a stopped engine are different observations.
Check the household safety equipment too
Check CO alarms according to their instructions and keep battery backup available. The CDC recommends battery-operated or battery-backup CO detectors near sleeping areas. Keep flashlights and a weather radio available even when standby power is installed.
For weather alerts and a family plan, use NWS Nashville’s preparedness resources. Make the during-outage checklist easy to find, and add winter-specific preparation before freezing conditions.
Call Brite Generators at 270-223-6302 with any unresolved checklist items. A clear list helps focus the service visit.
Connected guidance
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