How long do home generators last?
If you’re considering investing in one of these for the peace of mind they provide, you’re probably wondering what the average whole home generator lifespan is. After all, a long lifespan is an important factor influencing your decision to have one of these installed or not.
That’s why today, we’re going to address one of the most common question we get here at Premier Generators: how long does a home backup generator last?
The answer is influenced by a number of factors – the specific brand/model you choose, the maintenance schedule you follow, and other factors that may or may not be within your control.
Below, we’ll highlight all of these factors to help you arrive at an estimated lifespan. Then, we’ll teach you how to extend the life of your home generator as much as possible. Let’s not waste any more time!
Factors Affecting the Average Whole Home Generator Lifespan
There is no one size fits all to the question – how long do home generators last? That’s because they aren’t all created equal. Certain brands will outlive others. Moreover, you need to consider the manner in which your generator is installed, the maintenance plan you follow, and other factors.
Here, we’ll expand on all of these factors that play into the average lifespan of a home generator. By understanding all of them, you can make an informed decision about which brand/model to buy and how to properly take care of it.
The first factor is…
The Brand/Model of Generator You Have
There are many different brands and models on the market – each with its own lifespan. And as you can imagine, you get what you pay for. It’s easy to be scared away by a higher priced generator and settle for less. Trust us – this is not the right approach.
You’ll pay way more in the long run for maintenance and repairs on cheaper backup generators. And, they are more prone to premature failure. These cheaper generators will need to be replaced much sooner than their high-quality, expensive counterparts. Perhaps most importantly, cheaper generators cannot be relied on. You’re making this decision because you want to enjoy the peace of mind that having standby power at all times. But if you go with a lower-end generator, are you really getting the peace of mind you deserve? Probably not.
All of this said, some brands are simply known for being more reliable than others. In our opinion, Kohler whole house generators are the only ones worth trusting. Their generators have a reputation for being tough and lasting a long time – offering the reliability you need from the day it’s installed. Speaking of installation, let’s take a look at how this plays into your whole home generator lifespan.
The Quality of Installation
Just as with the quality of the generator, the quality of installation dictates how reliable it is – and how long it lasts. If you have a professional install it, they’ll do things like weatherproofing and making sure all the connections are tight. You’ll also get your generator put on a sturdy cement pad to protect against seismic activity.
This will help to protect your generator from the elements and prevent issues down the road. On the other hand, if you try to install it yourself – or hire cheap help – there’s a good chance you’ll regret it. This could lead to problems later on and cause your generator to break down sooner. If you’re making the investment in the generator itself, you may as well pay to have it installed right the first time around.
Our recommendation is to find a whole home generator provider in your area that offers both the sale and installation of your generator – so you don’t have to worry about any of this yourself.
The Maintenance Schedule You Follow
If you want your generator to last as long as possible, you need to follow a regular maintenance schedule. This means changing the oil, checking the air filter, and inspecting the unit on a regular basis.
How often you need to do these things will depend on how often you use your generator. If you use it regularly (e.g. every week or two), you’ll need to do maintenance more often than if you only use it a few times per year.
Consult your owner’s manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends doing these things. Then, create a schedule and stick to it. This will help to ensure that your generator lasts for as long as possible.
Better yet, find a company that specializes in standby generator maintenance. If you find the right home generator installation company, it’s likely they’re willing to handle the routine maintenance as well. You can forget about it and let them handle everything for you. You are likely seeing a common theme here…the whole point of getting a home backup generator is to enjoy the peace of mind it offers. Do whatever you can to maximize that benefit!
The Environment in Which It’s Used
This is one of the few factors you don’t have control over – at least unless you’re willing to move! The environment in which you use your generator can also affect its lifespan. If you live in an area with harsh winters, for example, your generator will be exposed to more cold weather than if you lived in a warmer climate.
This can cause corrosion and other issues over time. That’s why it’s important to take steps to protect your generator from the elements, regardless of where you live. This includes things like weatherproofing and making sure it’s on a level surface.
It’s also important to note that if you live in an area with severe weather conditions (e.g. hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), you may want to consider getting a generator that’s specifically designed for those conditions. These units are built to withstand more extreme weather and will last longer as a result.
So, How Long Do Home Generators Last on Average?
Now that we’ve looked at all the factors that affect how long your home generator lasts, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for. How long do home generators last on average?
As we mentioned earlier, the average whole home generator lifespan is between 20-40 years. However, this number is just an average. There are a number of factors that can affect where your specific situation falls on this spectrum – which we’ve discussed in this article.
If you invest in quality – both in terms of the generator and installation – and take steps to protect it with a proper maintenance schedule, you can expect it to last for many years. In fact, it’s not uncommon for generators to last for 30-40 years. On the other hand, if you neglect your generator or use it in harsh conditions, it may only last for a few years.
How Long Does a Whole Home Backup Generator Last in an Outage?
Maybe you came here not to learn about the lifespan of a generator, but to discover how long these last in case of a power outage. So, how long does a whole home backup generator last after you turn it on?
Just as with the average whole home generator lifespan, this varies based on brand, installation, and maintenance. How high-quality is your generator, and how well was it installed/maintained?
In a scenario where a disaster occurs and you’re without power indefinitely, you can rest assured your generator will be there to take care of you. These are equipped to last up to 500 hours of continuous use.
How to Maximize the Whole Home Generator Lifespan
Now that you know how long home generators last on average, let’s look at some ways you can maximize the lifespan of your generator. If you look back at all the factors we discussed earlier, you’ll notice that it all comes down to quality.
Getting a long-lasting home generator is only possible if you purchase a high-end, dependable generator and then get it installed/maintained by an expert. And, if you’re looking for whole-house generator installation companies in Carver & Southeastern Massachusetts, we’re here to help.
Premier Generators is your trusted source for not just standby home generators – but commercial generator installation, too. We only specialize in Kohler generators, as these are the most dependable, long-lasting products on the market. When you choose us as your provider, you get a quality generator and professional installation you can count on. We never cut corners – and we’re willing to stand behind our work with an industry-leading 10-year warranty.
Moreover, we can handle all your Kohler generator maintenance and repairs along the way. Getting a schedule set up with us will help maximize the life of your generator.
If you want to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re home is prepared for anything that happens, reach out today. Let’s talk about your needs and come up with a plan.
How Long Does a Whole Home Backup Generator Last? Wrapping Things Up
So, how long does a whole home backup generator last on average? You now know that when you invest in quality and allow a professional to install and maintain it, you can get up to 30 years or more out of your investment.
But, the key here is quality – there are cheaper generators on the market that won’t offer the dependability and longevity you need. And if you cut corners during installation and maintenance, you’ll pay for it in a shorter lifespan.
We hope this article helped provide clarity for you on how long home generators last. At this point, it’s time to prepare your home for the unexpected – and we can help you do it!