Winterizing commercial backup generators is very essential to maintain durable performance, and avoid costly damage in cold weather. It is important for areas of freezing temperatures, to prevent issues like fuel line problems, engine freezing, and battery failure. 

In this blog let’s discuss why winterizing is important for commercial backup generators and what are the steps involved in this process. 

Table of contents 

  • Why winterize your commercial backup generators? 
  • Winterization steps 
  • FAQs

Why winterize your commercial backup generators? 

Winterizing commercial backup generators provide the following benefits:

Avoid engine damage 

Cold temperatures will thicken the engine oil and make it difficult to start and also damage engine components. 

Protect batteries 

Freezing temperatures will reduce battery capacity and longevity and also make it difficult to start the generator. 

Free fuel flow 

Cold weather gels the fuels resulting in filter blockages and fuel lines that will prevent starting or running the generator. 

Reliability 

Winterizing makes sure your generator is always available to provide backup power during power outages or winter storms which are common during cold months. 

Longevity 

Winterization will improve the lifetime of your generator and prevent damage from extreme cold weather. 

How to perform winterization?

  • Perform an oil change and replace the filter.
  • Changing your regular oil to winter-grade oil and replacing the old oil filter will prevent oil thickening in cold temperatures and also improve proper lubrication. 
  • Install a cold-weather kit 
    • The cold weather kit includes engine block heaters, battery blankets, and fuel line heaters to maintain the temperature and keep the engine and fuel system warm. 
  • Use winter-grade fuel 
    • Make sure you use winter-grade fuel that is specially formulated for cold weather to stop gelling and provide proper combustion. 
  • Monitor clean exhaust and intakes 
    • Make sure the exhaust and intake vents are warm and free from ice and snow as it restricts airflow and causes damage to the generators. 
  • Monitor batteries 
    • Prevent battery corrosion by monitoring the battery terminals periodically to make sure the battery is fully charged and well maintained. 
  • Use the generator regularly
    • To ensure all components are working fine, run the generator for a short time every few weeks to circulate the oil.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines 
    • Following the manufacturer’s guidelines is important for winterizing the specific generator model. 
  • Make use of fuel storage heaters
    • If you store fuel for an extended period of time during winter, it is good to implement fuel storage heaters to avoid fuel gelling. 

Advantages of winterizing commercial backup generators 

  • Avoid cold start problems
  • Prevent freezing 
  • Balance engine temperature 
  • Minimize engine damage 
  • Reduce component failure 
  • Detect minor issues early and address them before they affect the generator’s performance
  • Ensure reliable backup energy 
  • Reduce downtime and productivity loss 
  • Protect equipment and sensitive data during outages when the generator is properly winterized 

If you want to implement a winterizing strategy in your commercial generator, contact our expert today.

CS Diesel Generators provide new and used generators and their parts for sales and services. Our experts will understand your industrial requirements, analyze the equipment that requires a power source during outages and suggest the right generator. We also provide installation, after-sales support, and other extended service to enhance your generator’s longevity. Contact our qualified technician today and learn how to protect your generator from cold weather.   

FAQs about the Importance of Winterizing Commercial Backup Generators

Why is winterization important for commercial backup generators?

Winterization is important to maintain reliable generator performance during extreme cold weather to avoid issues like engine freezing, battery failure, and fuel line problems. 

What are the winterization steps?

Winterizing commercial backup generators is very essential to maintain durable performance, and avoid costly damage in cold weather. It is important for areas of freezing temperatures, to prevent issues like fuel line problems, engine freezing, and battery failure.