The Difference Between “Watch” and “Warning” is Time
In New Hampshire, we all know the rhythm of the seasons. First comes the winter storm watch—conditions are favorable for a classic New England messy mix. Then comes the warning—heavy wet snow and ice accumulation are imminent. The gap between those two alerts is where safety happens.
Whether you rely on Eversource or Unitil, waiting until the ice starts weighing down the lines to check your equipment is simply too late. You don’t want to be the person tramping through shin-deep snow in the dark trying to find the generator keys or realizing the unit is out of oil while a Nor’easter is bearing down on the Seacoast.
Here is the Generator Supercenter “Life Goes On” Checklist to run through now, while the skies are clear.
1. The “Listen” Test (Don’t Trust the Light)
Most owners look at the green light on the side of their Generac and assume everything is fine. But a green light just means the electronics are happy.
The Fix: Go outside. Open the lid. Manually switch the generator to “Run.” Listen to the engine. Does it sound smooth? Does it hunt for an idle? A rough idle now means a failed start later. (Don’t forget to switch it back to “Auto”!)
2. Check the Oil (The #1 Failure Point)
During a widespread outage in Stratham due to ice storms, a generator might run for 3, 4, or 5 days straight.
The Fix: Check your oil level today. More importantly, do you have a spare quart of synthetic oil and a filter kit on the shelf? If the unit runs for 100 hours straight, you will need to service it during the outage.
3. Create the “Clear Zone”
Over the winter and spring, your generator likely became a magnet for garden hoses, patio furniture, and shrubbery.
The Fix: Clear a 3-to-5-foot radius around the unit. The engine needs to breathe intake air, and the exhaust needs to vent heat. If debris blocks the airflow, the unit will overheat and shut down to protect itself.
4. Verify Your Monitoring
Is your GenMon app connected? Did you change your home Wi-Fi password recently and forget to update the generator?
The Fix: Open the app today. Ensure it shows “Ready to Run.” If it’s offline, reconnect it now so GSC can monitor your status during the storm.
5. Secure the Sanctuary
Generators keep the power on, but you need to secure the rest.
The Fix:
- Lock down patio furniture (flying debris).
- Charge all handheld devices (as backups).
- Download the GSC Community Survival Guide.
If you performed the “Listen Test” and something didn’t sound right, do not wait until the first flakes fall. Our service trucks are already deploying across Rockingham County to prepare for the season. You don’t have to navigate the risks of New Hampshire winters alone. Feel free to stop by our showroom at 28 Portsmouth Ave to chat about your setup, or give us a ring at 603-731-4003. Let’s make sure that when the weather turns, your life goes on without interruption.
