Posted: May 4, 2026

Maintenance for Propane Standby Generators

Key Steps to Keep Your Backup Power Source Reliable

If you’re concerned about the rising frequency of power outages in New Britain and other Western Connecticut communities, you’re not alone. Intense weather events like the heavy snowfall we experienced this winter can easily damage power lines. The same is true of hard storms and high winds. Even when power lines stay up, though, grid power is far from reliable. Our grid is struggling with surging demand from cooling systems in the summer, electric heat in the colder months and a year-round high demand from electric vehicles and power-draining data centers.

It’s little wonder that so many Connecticut households have invested in the energy security of a propane-powered standby generator. These systems can provide dependable backup power for your whole home, switching on automatically when your grid power fails. And with Valiant Home & Energy handling every aspect of your generator installation, propane delivery and system upkeep, you can be confident it will operate reliably for many years to come.

In this article, we’ll discuss the steps you should take to maintain your standby generator.

Generator Maintenance You Can Handle

Here’s a rundown of several simple steps you can take as a generator owner to support the performance of your backup power system:

1. Run the generator under load for 20–30 minutes on a regular basis to circulate oil and help prevent engine corrosion.
2. Check the oil level monthly to ensure proper lubrication and performance.
3. Inspect the battery condition each month to confirm it’s holding a charge and ready when needed.
4. Keep the area around the generator clear by removing leaves, dirt and debris to maintain proper airflow.
5. Maintain at least five feet of clearance between the unit and any flammable materials for safe operation.

Professional Maintenance Schedule for Your Standby Generator

It’s also essential that you follow your generator’s manufacturer-mandated service schedule. This will keep your system’s operations dependable, ensure it lasts for its longest lifespan and keep your factory warranty in place. Some of the standard maintenance steps from licensed pros include cleaning, lubricating and inspecting system components, replacing worn or damaged parts, testing your wiring and gas connections and ensuring the automatic transfer switch is working well.

Generally speaking, you should have your generator serviced annually. However, if it’s running more often than normal or your user manual instructs an alternative schedule, you may need to arrange more frequent maintenance.

Ensure Total Care for Your Generator with Valiant

Valiant Home & Energy is pretty much the only company in Western Connecticut that handles every aspect of your propane generator, from sales, permitting and installation to electrical work, propane delivery and long-term maintenance.

And you can rest easy for years to come with Valiant’s Total Care service plan. Enjoy 24/7 support with a 20% discount on repairs, plus your generator maintenance is included. Plans include comprehensive inspections and flexible tune-up options—annual, twice-yearly or quarterly, to ensure reliable performance and long-term peace of mind.

With Valiant’s team by your side, you can feel confident that your generator will operate at peak performance when you need it most. Contact our team today to enroll in Total Care.