Condos Generator Maintenance

Why Do I Need Maintenance on Generators for My Condo?

If you’ve ever lived in a high-rise condo during a power outage, you’ll know the frustration of not having access to a working elevator. For a lot of condo buildings, back-up generators serve as a life-line as elevators, electrical fire safety equipment, and emergency stairwell lights are safety hazards.

There’s also the cost associated with generators (or we should say, with unmaintained generators). Unmaintained generators can end up costing residents in condominiums over six figures in replacements, damages, and reinstallation. Compare that to the cost of a well-maintained generator which will end up costing a condominium property a fraction of that per year depending on the size, condition, and age of the generator.

The Risks of Unserviced Condo Generators

As with any unmaintained generator, there are significant risks that can occur due to the environment, unexplained circumstances, or simply negligence. Preventative maintenance insures that your generator will run for decades. Without it, a few common issues that can arise in a condominium, include:

• Engine oil and filter media breakdown
• Wet stacking in diesel engines
• Leaking
• Wearing of the block heater
• Sputtering and stalls
• Fuel tank leaking

While most issues with generators will only lead to frustration, it’s also important to remember that generators run on fuel and electricity—two of the most important, but dangerous raw materials to handle. Improper handling of a generator can cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electric shocks, fire, or burns.

Lionheart Power Specialists are certified to handle all aspects of generators, so for any questions or concerns, set up a consultation today.

How Often Do Condo Generators Need to Be Serviced?

A well-maintained generator can last for decades in a condo building. Getting routine, semi-annual maintenance on your condo’s generator will save you time, money, and stress.

 Knowing how often a backup generator will need maintenance is entirely dependent on a few factors. These include:

• Age
• Condition
• Specific issue
• Environment
• Application

For larger condominium, or high-rise that operates a lot of power, LionHeart does advise that a semi-annual inspection also be performed every six months to ensure our expert technicians can conduct a thorough inspection and address any potential concerns that have come up over the past few months.

What Type of Maintenance Needs to Be Done for Generators in Condos?

A typical high-rise building will have anywhere from 240 apartments to 270 which means that a lot of energy is being used. Normal wear-and-tear is common for larger buildings, so LionHeart recommends a semi-annual or quarterly PM2.

A PM2, consisting of an inspection, oil change, and oil, fuel, and filter replacement, is required to ensure the longevity of the generator and address any potential concerns that might occur. Our technicians will review any recommendations while onsite and provide repair recommendations discovered during the maintenance visit.

Here’s a look at the maintenance needs your condominium’s backup generator will need semi-annually.

• Battery Testing
• Lubrication service
• Cooling system
• Generator cleaning
• Engine exercising

You don’t want to find out that your generator needs to be fixed after it’s too late. Getting routine maintenance checks and utilizing preventative methods, will save you both money and stress.