Storm Preparedness
KOHLER Generators Winter Weather Guide
Winter weather can be unpredictable and severe, often bringing with it a range of challenges. One of the most significant issues arising from harsh winter conditions is power outages. These outages can disrupt daily life. These outages can cause essential utility services to stop. This makes it hard to do routine activities. When the power goes out, homes can become uncomfortable. Heating systems stop working, and temperatures fall. Heavy snowfall, freezing rains, and freezing temperatures can lead to downed power lines and further disruptions to utility services. In these circumstances, a standby generator becomes an invaluable asset for any homeowner. Keeping your family warm and staying safe is crucial during cold weather. With a KOHLER cold weather generator, you can enjoy winter confidently, knowing you're ready for anything Mother Nature brings.
How Can a Generator Benefit Me in the Winter?
Power Critical Appliances: A generator ensures that essential appliances like sump pumps, water heaters, and stoves remain running. This helps you avoid water damage while also allowing you to cook meals, keeping your daily routines intact.
Support Connection: Make sure your internet and devices stay powered to work from home and remain connected without interruptions. A dependable energy supply is vital for uninterrupted online meetings and streaming important content like news or weather forecasts.
Emergency Lighting: Keep your lights on during power outages. This helps reduce accidents and makes it easier to move around your home safely. Emergency lighting can help your family remain calm during severe snowstorms or outages.
Charge Essential Devices: Keep your phones, tablets, and other devices charged. This helps to ensure you can stay in touch with family, friends, and emergency services.
Protect Home Systems: Prevent damage to essential home systems like HVAC units, water filtration systems and medical devices. Providing a consistent power supply can help you to avoid costly repairs and replacements.
Clear Air Intakes and Exhaust Vents
Keeping air intakes and exhaust vents clear of snow is essential for generator efficiency. Snow buildup for extended periods can restrict airflow, causing your power system to overheat and shut down.
Regularly removing snow can help maintain proper function and extend the generator's performance during winter.
Winter Weather Generator Tips and Maintenance
Performing generator maintenance during cold weather is essential to ensure it remains in good working condition. Proper care can help prevent issues that might affect its performance. This ensures it is ready to provide power when needed. By taking the necessary steps, you can keep your generator functioning efficiently throughout the colder months.
Keep Access Paths Clear
Maintaining clear and unobstructed access paths to your generator is crucial.
This ensures that you or maintenance personnel can easily reach the generator for routine any necessary maintenance. Also, having clear paths for access allows for quick oil refueling. This is important to keep the generator running during long periods of use.
In case of any troubleshooting needs, unobstructed access allows technicians to diagnose and address issues promptly. This minimizes downtime and ensuring the generator remains in optimal working condition. Regularly check and clear any obstacles that might block these paths to maintain a safe environment around your generator.
Checking Your Oil
Safety First: Ensure the standby generator is not running and that it is switched off. If you are unsure how to verify this contact your local service provider.
Check Oil Level: Locate the engine oil dipstick. Using a clean rag, remove the dipstick and wipe off the oil. Reinsert the dipstick and remove it again to check the oil level. If the oil level is low, you may top off with KOHLER 5W30 full synthetic engine oil.
Refill Carefully: Add oil in small increments, checking the level frequently to avoid overfilling.
*Please see your generator's owner manual for more detailed instructions and recommendations.
10 Winter Storm and Cold Weather Safety Tips
Stay Informed Monitor your local weather reports and pay attention to warnings and advisories.
Dress in Layers Wear warm and moisture wicking layers. Be sure to use a waterproof outer layer to stay dry and insulated from snow or freezing rain. Keep in mind the wind chill factor and dress appropriately.
Avoid Frostbite and Hypothermia Limit outdoor exposure and stay indoors during extreme cold weather.
Prep Your Home Let faucets drip during extreme cold to ensure water flow to help prevent freezing. Inspect and seal any drafts near windows or doors. Be sure to test fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors if using space heaters, fireplaces or additional portable generators.
Winterize Your Vehicle Check tire pressure and tread while also keeping your gas tank half full to prevent freezing.
Drive Safely Increase your follow distance from other vehicles on snowy and icy roads. Avoid sudden breaking or acceleration to prevent sliding.
Keep an Emergency Kit Ready Include essentials such as: I. Battery Powered Flashlights and Spare Batteries II. Non-perishable Foods III. Bottled Water IV. Extra Blankets V. See our preparedness article here to learn more.
Protect Your Pets Bring your pets indoors and provide warm bedding or other heat sources in case of extreme cold temperatures. Wipe paws after being outside to remove ice as well as salt and chemicals from de-icing products.
Shovel Safely Warm up before and after attempting to shovel heavy snow. Be sure to take frequent breaks if the temperature is extremely low to avoid fatigue.
Stay Hydrated Stay hydrated even if you don't feel thirsty, cold weather can cause dehydration without obvious signs.
Stay up to date with winter storm watches, winter storm warnings and extreme cold maps: National Weather Service
Defend Against Unpredictable Weather Wendell's Testimonial
"The weather has been more extreme and a little more erratic in the past 10 years."
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