Frequently Asked Questions

Battery failure causes most startup issues during hurricane season. Batteries weaken from heat and humidity between uses, then fail when loads increase during emergencies. South Louisiana's climate accelerates battery degradation faster than moderate climates. Routine battery testing during maintenance prevents most storm-related startup failures.

Both brands provide automatic whole-home backup, but differ in fuel efficiency, warranty structure, and component design. Kohler units typically run quieter and include longer block warranties, while Generac offers wider sizing options for larger homes. Your power load, fuel type availability, and property layout determine which system fits best.

Service calls are billed at $120 per hour plus parts for scheduled repairs. After-hours emergency service runs at time-and-a-half rates when generators fail during outages or overnight. This pricing covers diagnostic testing, troubleshooting, and repair labor for both residential and commercial systems.

Low oil pressure, overheating, overcrank conditions, or battery voltage drops trigger most alarms. Fuel system blockages and stuck transfer switches also activate warnings. Alarms indicate the system detected a fault and shut down to prevent engine damage. Diagnostics identify whether the issue stems from maintenance neglect or component failure.

Schedule maintenance in early spring before June through November storm activity. Pre-season inspections catch battery weakness, fuel system issues, and worn components before emergency demand increases. Waiting until hurricane warnings are issued leaves no time to address problems found during testing.

Installation includes mounting a transfer switch, wiring critical circuits, and creating a code-compliant connection point for your portable unit. This eliminates dangerous extension cords and backfeeding risks. You gain safer power access to essential appliances, HVAC, and refrigeration during outages without full standby system costs.

Age over 15 years, increasing repair frequency, and rising parts costs signal replacement makes more financial sense. Systems requiring second major component failure within 24 months rarely justify continued repairs. Newer units offer better fuel efficiency and automatic diagnostics that reduce long-term maintenance expenses.

Ethanol-blended gasoline degrades quickly in Louisiana humidity, creating varnish buildup in carburetors and fuel lines. Natural gas systems face fewer fuel quality issues but can develop regulator problems. Propane systems remain most stable but require tank level monitoring. Fuel stabilizers and regular exercise cycles prevent most gasoline-related failures.

Automatic backup power maintains refrigeration, point-of-sale systems, security, and climate control during multi-day outages common after hurricanes. Restaurants avoid food spoilage losses, retail locations continue processing transactions, and offices maintain productivity. System sizing must account for simultaneous loads during peak business operations.

Manufacturer warranties cover defective parts and certain component failures during specified coverage periods. Coverage typically requires documented maintenance proving the system received required service intervals. Diagnostics verify whether failure qualifies under warranty terms or results from neglect, improper fuel, or environmental damage excluded from coverage.

Commercial units run under heavier loads, cycle more frequently during testing, and face greater consequences from downtime. Businesses require more frequent oil analysis, load bank testing, and transfer switch inspections. Maintenance intervals shorten when runtime hours accumulate faster or when critical operations depend on immediate backup power availability.

Power restores automatically within seconds of utility failure without manual startup or fuel management. Your HVAC continues running, refrigerators stay cold, and lighting operates normally during outages. You'll hear the system exercise weekly for several minutes to maintain readiness. Monthly fuel costs increase slightly due to exercise cycles.