How Often Should My Generac Generator Be Serviced?

Power outages around Charlotte don’t ask for permission. A summer thunderstorm knocks a branch into the lines in Dilworth, or an ice glaze in SouthPark drags the grid down for half a day. If you own a Generac home standby generator, you bought it so your lights, fridge, and internet keep running while your neighbors wait. The piece most homeowners overlook is the upkeep. Generators are engines. Engines need service. The right schedule keeps yours starting on the first crank and protects the warranty.

If you came here after searching “Generac generator maintenance near me,” you’re already doing the smart thing. This guide explains how often to service your Generac, what each visit covers, how Charlotte’s climate affects the schedule, and the warning signs you should not ignore. You’ll also see what we do on a professional tune-up and why our local team at Ewing Electric Co is the right partner for ongoing service across Charlotte, Matthews, Huntersville, Concord, and nearby neighborhoods.

The short answer: at least once a year, often twice

Generac recommends maintenance every 12 months or after a set number of run-time hours, whichever comes first. For most residential standby units in Charlotte, the baseline is an annual service with a mid-year check if your generator sees heavy use or sits in a harsh environment.

Think in three buckets:

• Annual service: oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs as needed, valve check on some models, full system test.
• Run-time triggers: if your unit ran 100–200 hours due to storms or extended outages, schedule service earlier, even if it has not been a year.
• Seasonal check: a quick pre-summer or pre-winter visit to catch battery or fuel issues before peak outage season.

Generators that run on natural gas typically keep cleaner oil than propane, but both fuels leave moisture in the crankcase over time. Oil ages by calendar months as well as hours. That is why the annual schedule matters even if you barely needed your generator last year.

What your generator does when you’re not watching

Most Generac home standby units perform a weekly self-test. You might hear it kick on for a few minutes on, say, Tuesday at noon. This exercise lubricates the engine, cycles the alternator, and gently charges the battery. It’s a good feature, but it is not a substitute for service. The self-test will not change the oil, inspect the transfer switch, or catch a battery nearing the end of its life.

We often see homeowners in Myers Park and Ballantyne who assume the weekly exercise means the unit is “good to go.” The first long outage then arrives, and the generator throws an error due to a clogged air filter or a weak battery. A 30-minute check in April would have prevented a sweaty August afternoon without AC.

Typical service intervals by part

A practical way to decide “how often” is to break the unit into parts:

Engine oil and filter: Change once a year or every 100–150 run hours. If your generator ran for multiple long outages, you might hit the hour limit first. Oil shears down and picks up acids from combustion. Dirty oil raises internal friction and temperature, which shortens engine life.

Air filter: Inspect at the annual service and replace if dirty. In dusty environments or near landscaping beds that shed mulch fibers, replacement every year is wise. A choked filter leans the fuel-air mix and can cause misfires or reduced power output.

Spark plugs: Inspect annually, replace every 2–3 years or around 200–300 hours. Plugs with a tan or light gray tip are healthy. Oily or black sooty plugs signal richer mixture or oil blow-by, which needs attention.

Battery: Test under load at every visit. Replace every 3–4 years on average. Charlotte’s heat is hard on batteries, and standby units sit for long stretches between use. A weak battery is the top cause of no-start calls during storms.

Fuel system: For natural gas, we verify line pressure and check for debris in the regulator screen. For propane, we inspect the tank gauge, pigtails, and regulators. Propane systems that sat through a cold snap can experience regulator freeze-off if moisture is present.

Transfer switch: Check annually. We verify torque on lugs, inspect for heat discoloration, and simulate a transfer to confirm the switch moves smoothly and communicates with the controller.

Controller and firmware: Review event logs and alarm history. Update firmware if the model supports it and Generac has released fixes or improvements.

Exhaust and enclosure: Inspect for cracks, rust, nests, and debris. Clear 18 inches of space around the unit. Leaves and pine straw in Cotswold and Foxcroft can pack into the base pan and trap moisture.

If a technician is not looking at these pieces on a schedule, the unit might still start, but the stress it takes to run your home will rise quietly in the background.

Charlotte’s climate changes the schedule

Our humidity and temperature swings are hard on generators. A week of 95-degree afternoons followed by a midnight thunderstorm is common. Heat breaks down batteries and oil additives. Moisture condenses inside the enclosure and on circuit boards. Pollen in spring clogs air filters faster than you expect, especially near tree-lined streets in Plaza Midwood and Elizabeth.

We adjust service timing locally:

• Pre-summer check between April and early June. Think of this as brake pads before a mountain trip. We confirm battery strength and air flow before prime storm season.
• Post-storm inspection if your unit handled more than 40 continuous hours. Long runs reveal weak components. We see loosened exhaust clamps and marginal spark plugs after multi-day usage.
• Winter readiness check if your home is in areas that see ice more often, such as Lake Norman or higher elevations west of town. Cold starts strain a borderline battery.

If you have a lake home or a rental property, add a remote monitoring plan. We can keep an eye on run codes and battery state for you and schedule service before a guest shows up to a dark house.

Warranty and record-keeping

Generac warranties expect maintenance. If a failure occurs and the oil was never changed, the claim will likely be denied. Keep a simple file: service invoices, oil and filter part numbers, dates, and hour meter readings. We include all of that on our service tickets and can provide digital copies for your records. This is especially helpful if you plan to sell your home in South End or NoDa; buyers value a documented generator the way they value a maintained HVAC system.

What happens during a professional maintenance visit

A thorough service is more than an oil change. Here is how we handle a standard residential Generac tune-up in Charlotte. We arrive with the right filters and plugs for your model, plus oil rated for our climate. We isolate the generator electrically, then drain and replace the oil and filter. We remove the air filter and inspect the intake path for rodent debris or leaves. We pull and read the spark plugs, checking gap and porcelain condition. If wear or fouling shows, we replace them.

We test the battery under load, not just a voltage check, because batteries can show 12.6 volts at rest and still fall flat under starter load. If it fails load testing or is older than three to four years, we recommend replacement. We inspect the charging circuit to confirm the generator’s trickle charger is keeping the battery healthy between runs.

We examine the fuel supply. For natural gas, we connect a manometer to verify inlet pressure while the generator runs under load. Low pressure during transfer is a common but overlooked issue in older neighborhoods where other gas appliances share a small line. For propane, we confirm tank level, check regulators for frost patterns that suggest moisture, and tighten connections.

We torque lugs in the transfer switch and look for any signs of heat or arcing. We run a controlled outage test if the homeowner is present and it is safe for the home’s equipment. We monitor voltage, frequency, and total harmonic distortion. We listen for belt squeal, bearing noise, and valve chatter. We update the controller settings, daylight savings time if needed, and weekly exercise schedule to a time that won’t wake the baby.

We finish with an enclosure inspection. We remove leaves, clear vents, and verify that nothing is stored against the unit. We review the service report with you, flag any emerging issues, and set a reminder for the next visit.

Signs you need service sooner

Don’t wait for a missed start. Generators talk to you through sound, smell, and code history. If you notice any of these, schedule service:

• The weekly test sounds uneven, surges, or drops back to idle slowly.
• You smell raw gas near the unit.
• The unit runs, but your lights flicker or dim.
• The controller flashes an alarm code, even if it clears on its own.
• You see oil spots under the generator or on the base pan.

A quick diagnosis can prevent a cascade of problems. For example, a small oil leak may be a loose filter. Left alone, it becomes a low-oil shutdown on a stormy night.

Portable Generac vs standby: different schedules

Some Charlotte homeowners have a portable Generac unit as a backup for basic circuits. Portables need service too, but the cadence differs. Because they use splash-lubricated engines and often run with higher RPM variation, oil breaks down faster per hour. Change oil every 25–50 hours on portables and before long-term storage. Drain or stabilize fuel between seasons. Replace spark plugs every few years. On standby units with automatic transfer switches, the automation adds components that need checking, but they sit in a clean enclosure and benefit from the weekly exercise cycle.

If you are unsure which you own, look at the install. A standby generator is a permanent unit outside with an automatic transfer switch tied to your main panel. A portable is wheeled or carried and plugs into a manual interlock or inlet. Ewing Electric Co services both, but the parts and checklists differ.

How long does a maintenance visit take and what does it cost?

Plan for 60–90 minutes for a standard residential service, longer if we perform a full transfer test during business hours or replace a battery. Costs depend on model, parts, and any corrective work. As a ballpark, expect annual maintenance for a typical air-cooled Generac 10–24kW to fall in the low to mid hundreds. Batteries, plugs, and any regulator or switch repairs are additional. We quote clearly before we start. We also offer maintenance plans that spread service across the year and bundle priority storm support, which many homeowners in Providence Plantation and Steele Creek find worthwhile.

Homeowner maintenance vs professional service

There are simple tasks you can handle. Keep the area around the generator clear by at least 18 inches. Remove leaves and debris after storms. Check the display for codes weekly. If your owner’s manual allows, you can change the air filter and wipe dust off vents. Just avoid pressure washing. Water intrusion ruins controllers.

Leave fuel, electrical, and mechanical adjustments to a licensed technician. We see well-intentioned DIY work create problems, like misadjusted gas regulators that cause lean running, or over-torqued lugs in transfer switches that crack bus bars. The risk isn’t only the generator; it’s your home’s electrical system and warranty.

Why searches for “Generac generator maintenance near me” matter in Charlotte

Local response time is everything when your generator throws a fault right before a storm. A national hotline cannot dispatch someone who knows the difference between a city gas line in Plaza Midwood and a propane supply in Mint Hill. Local technicians also recognize neighborhood quirks. We know that several streets in Huntersville have older low-pressure gas mains, which means we check load during transfer before signing off. We’ve seen how pollen thickens around certain tree belts in Matthews and plan filter replacements accordingly.

If you’re typing “Generac generator maintenance near me,” you want three things: a real technician who can be onsite, a clear service process, and honest pricing. Ewing Electric Co provides all three across Charlotte, from NoDa to Weddington.

Real examples from Charlotte homes

A SouthPark home with a 20kW Generac ran for 36 hours during a summer outage. Two weeks later, the weekly test sounded labored. The cause was a battery that had passed a simple voltage check but failed under load. We replaced it, updated the charger settings, and adjusted the exercise time to a cooler morning hour to reduce heat stress on the battery.

In Huntersville, a homeowner called about flickering lights when the generator ran. Our test showed voltage sag on startup and under load. Gas line pressure was dropping because a pool heater shared a small-diameter branch. We coordinated with the gas utility to correct the line size and the generator stabilized at 240 volts with proper frequency.

A Myers Park client reported a faint fuel smell. The propane regulator had moisture and was icing in the winter. We replaced the regulator, purged the line, and added a drip leg to prevent future moisture issues.

In each case, a scheduled service would have either prevented the issue or caught it earlier. It’s the same cost or less than an emergency call and keeps the generator ready.

How to pick a service partner in Charlotte

Look for a licensed electrical contractor with generator experience, not a general handyman. Ask if they are familiar with your Generac model, if they stock common parts, and if they can perform warranty work. Confirm they test under load, check fuel pressure during transfer, and inspect the transfer switch. Finally, pick someone who answers the phone during storms. You want a local team with a truck that can reach Matthews or Cornelius in real time, not a call center.

That’s how we run our service at Ewing Electric Co. We schedule maintenance around the seasons, keep parts in stock for common Generac models, and provide honest evaluations when a unit is nearing end-of-life. If it makes more sense to repair and maintain your current generator for another five years, we say so. If the cost of repair approaches replacement, we show you the numbers and options.

Your maintenance calendar for Charlotte homes

You don’t need a fancy app. Mark two windows each year: spring before storm season and late fall before the holidays. If your generator runs for more than a day during any outage, note the hours and call for an earlier service. Replace the battery proactively every three to four years. Glance at the display after the weekly exercise and keep leaves off the enclosure. These simple moves add up to a reliable start every time.

Ready for reliable power, year round

If you’re looking for “Generac generator maintenance near me” in Charlotte, you’re in the right place. Our team services Generac units across the metro area, including South End, Plaza Midwood, Dilworth, Ballantyne, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Concord. We work around your schedule, show up with the right parts, and leave your generator ready for the next outage.

Call Ewing Electric Co to book your annual service or a pre-storm check. If you prefer, send a quick message with your generator model and the neighborhood you’re in. We’ll confirm the visit window and take it from there. Reliable power is a maintenance appointment away.