Congratulations—you and your home survived another harsh Vermont winter. But while you are looking forward to melting snow and warmer temperatures, take a moment to think about the piece of equipment that had your back through every ice storm and sub-zero night: your standby generator.
Whether it was running for days during a grid failure or just battling the intense “cold soak” of negative temperatures, your generator has been working overtime. As we transition into the unpredictable weather of mud season, completing a thorough generator checklist is essential to keep your unit healthy.
Here is the ultimate post-winter generator checklist featuring the 5 things your generator needs right now to stay reliable through spring.
1. Fresh, Clean Oil
Winter running hours add up much faster than you think. If your generator ran through several outages, the oil might be degraded, dirty, or completely broken down. Even worse, if you had a brand-new unit installed this winter and it ran for 24+ hours, it is likely past its critical “break-in” period. Draining out the old, black oil and replacing it with fresh, synthetic oil is the single most important thing you can do for your engine’s lifespan.
2. A Battery Health Check
Cold weather is a battery’s worst enemy. The constant fluctuation between freezing nights and thawing days drains battery cells rapidly. Even if your generator didn’t run much, the battery has been fighting the cold just to hold its charge. Now is the time to test the voltage. A weak battery will leave your generator silent the next time the power goes out.
3. Debris Clearance
As the massive snowpack around your house finally melts away, it reveals all the debris that winter left behind. Dead leaves, fallen branches, dirt, and grit can easily get sucked into or block your generator’s intake vents. Clear a three-foot perimeter around the entire unit to ensure proper airflow to cool the engine.
4. A Leak Inspection
Extreme cold causes metal and rubber to contract. When seals shrink in sub-zero temperatures, fluids can find a way to escape. Take a flashlight and inspect the base and interior of your unit for any signs of oil or engine coolant leaks. Catching a small drip now prevents a catastrophic engine failure later.
5. The “Listen and Look” Test Run
Your generator should be set to run a weekly exercise cycle. Next time it kicks on, go outside and simply listen. Does it sound like it’s struggling to start? Are there any new rattles, squeaks, or unusual vibrations? Trust your ears—if it sounds different than it did in November, it needs a professional set of eyes.
Leave the Maintenance to the Pros
Checking off the items on this generator checklist is a great start, but nothing beats a professional tune-up. At Brook Field Service, our Preventive Maintenance plans handle all of this and more, ensuring your warranty stays completely valid.
Thinking about upgrading? Now is the time. We are currently running our biggest Kohler promotion of 2026. If you purchase a new Kohler generator before March 24th, you will receive:
- FREE 10-Year Extended Warranty (Upgraded from 5 years — $1,450 value)
- $300 Cash Back Gift Card from Kohler
- FREE Daily Monitoring when you purchase our Home Energy Management system + PM Plan.
Plus, we offer $0 Down and 0% interest for 18 months!
