Running your generator for extended periods during a major outage

The article provides guidelines on how to maintain and operate home standby generators during continuous operation. It highlights the importance of shutting down the generator for at least 30 minutes every 24 hours to perform necessary checks such as oil levels, inspections, etc. It also provides detailed instructions on oil maintenance, safety procedures for shutdown and resuming service while under load, and where to find maintenance schedules and guides.

Sep 30, 2025
Knowledge

Title

Running your generator for extended periods during a major outage

URL Name

Running-your-generator-for-extended-periods-during-a-major-outage

Public Content

Read the manual thoroughly and understand all instructions, cautions, and warnings before using this equipment. If any section of the manual is not understood, contact your nearest authorized dealer, Generac Customer Service at 1-888-436-3722 (1-888-GENERAC), or visit www.generac.com with any questions or concerns.

Running your generator for extended periods during a major outage

When your generator runs continuously for 24 hours, it is essential to shut it down for at least 30 minutes. This downtime allows the unit to rest, oil levels to be checked, and a visual inspection to be performed. Completing these steps proactively can help identify potential issues early and maintain the longevity and reliability of your generator.

Environment

This article applies to home standby generators that have been or will be running continuously during an extended power outage.

Key procedures

Safely shutting down and restarting while under load

When shutting down your generator while it is under load (powering your home) or returning it to service under load, a specific procedure must be followed to prevent damage or hazards. Detailed instructions can be found in the following article: How Do I Shut Down My Generator When It’s Powering My House (During an Outage)?

Note: After removing loads from the running generator, it is very important to continue running the generator without loads for a minimum of 5 minutes, then allow the generator to cool for an additional 5 minutes. Immediate shutdown after running under load can cause damage to engine components.

Continuous use maintenance checks

It is crucial to follow continuous use maintenance protocols. In some cases, outages may last several days. To help ensure continued operation and reliability throughout the outage, check the generator every 24 hours.
Detailed instructions can be found in the following article: Continuous use maintenance for home standby generators

Additional considerations

In addition to maintaining your generator during an extended outage, owners should also take the following steps to be prepared:

Keep spare supplies on hand (extra oil, oil filters, air filters).
If the generator is running during a snowstorm, keep the area around the generator clear: What do I do when I expect a snow storm, or if there is snow building up around the unit?