Frequently Asked Questions
Hale’s Electrical Service Inc. is dedicated to making sure our customers are fully educated about the product they plan on buying. We understand that investing in a generator is a big decision and want to make sure you are fully aware of the features and capabilities of your generator. Here are some of our top frequently asked questions. Can’t find what you need in the Frequently Asked Questions? Check out our Residential, Commercial, Portable, Power Washer, Generator Installation, Beat the Storm, and About Us pages. Also, check out our blog and generac.com for more info on us and our products. If you have any other questions or would like to learn more about our products feel free to contact us at 804-518-3060. Our staff will be glad to answer any questions you might have.
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An automatic backup generator is a back up electrical system that operates whether you are home or away. Within seconds of an outage, it automatically supplies power directly to your home’s electrical circuit breaker box. After utility power returns, the generator shuts itself off and waits for the next outage. It operates on natural gas or liquid propane gas and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit. See the video below for more information.
During a utility power outage, an automatic backup generator provides numerous advantages over a portable generator:
- The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators as a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator.
- With an automatic backup generator properly installed outside, your home is protected from deadly carbon monoxide poisoning that is a much greater risk with portable generators.
- Running on the home’s natural gas or LP fuel supply, it is less expensive to run than gasoline and sources such as natural gas do not need to be refilled.
- They start automatically within seconds of a power outage, and eliminate the need to haul a portable generator outside or run extension cords throughout your home.
- They provide protection 24/7, whether you’re home or away, and they turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage.
The very best way to understand your options and work within your budget is to schedule a free in-home assessment. During your consultation, you will receive the personalized attention and detailed evaluation you need to find a solution that works for your need.
No…the generator fuel costs would be much more expensive than buying power from the utility company since their cost to produce electricity is divided among thousands of customers. Our automatic generators are produced for use as backup to utility power specifically and should not be used as primary power. Please refer to the warranty policy for additional information. You can find a copy of the warranty on every product pages.
The engines! Air-cooled generators come with engines that use fans to force air across the engine for cooling, while liquid-cooled generators use enclosed radiator systems for cooling, similar to an automobile. Generally, liquid-cooled engines are used on larger kW generators due to the larger engines required for the higher power output.
Generac is one of the few companies to offer premium aluminum enclosures for its residential backup generators. Aluminum enclosures are naturally rust and corrosion resistant. For salt air or high humidity conditions, aluminum is highly recommended to ensure decades of worry free service.
There a number of ways homeowners can prepare for a power outage. Heating and air conditioning are top concerns, along with running water and health conditions. All of these items are high-load appliances and require a high capacity to start. These actions consume significant power and could quickly drain a battery.
Generac generators are equipped with overload protection. In the rare event of an overload, the generator’s circuit breaker will trip, disconnecting the unit from the load. Simply correct the overload and reset the breaker in the generator. For more information, please consult your owner’s manual or contact us.
This is a maintenance reminder light. Service reminders include inspect battery, change oil and filter, change air filter, inspect spark plugs, and change spark plugs. If you see a yellow LED give our office a call to discuss our current maintenance plans at (804) 518-3060 or visit our Connect with Us Page.
All generators require periodic maintenance, such as oil and filter changes to ensure maximum performance for years of reliable service. Scheduled maintenance kits are available and many Generac authorized dealers offer annual maintenance contracts for a worry-free ownership experience. Generac recommends you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules.
You could perform the simpler site preparation steps and have a professional make the electrical panel and fuel connections, or you could complete the entire installation yourself. However, for safety reasons and to ensure adherence to all local, state and national electrical codes, particularly for non pre-wired or larger systems, Generac recommends you use an authorized Generac dealer such as the Hale YES Team or licensed contractor. When selecting a site, always follow the guidelines in the Site Selection and Preparation section of your unit’s installation manual. At Hale’s, we ensure your generator is connected to your home safely and meets all local safety codes. Read more about the installation process here
All generators require periodic maintenance, such as oil and filter changes, to ensure maximum performance for years of reliable service. Generac recommends you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules.
Generac recommends you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules. In addition to the oil & filter change, our factory trained technicians regap/ change your spark plugs, clean / replace your air filter and adjust the operational settings of your generator to factory settings for optimal performance.
Owner’s manuals and other documentation can be downloaded from Generac’s Product Support Page using the unit’s serial number, or contact us for further assistance.
An SAE rated high detergent oil that meets API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline engines, similar to your car. Refer to your owner’s manual for details. To find your owner’s manual online, visit Generac’s Product Support page and enter your serial number or model number.
These adjustments should be handled by a skilled / trained technician to limit the potential of voiding your warranty or causing operational issues with your Generac Generator. Newer models of Generac generators have a system event log that our technicians have been trained to use to troubleshoot and service your generator, based on it’s recent performance. Their training is an added value to you during annual maintenance, as they are skilled in heading off most potential performance issues at service.
To accommodate a variety of budgets and needs, we provide several levels of service. Each level provides a specific set of criteria for our technicians. An industry standard, rest assured that each level provides for the basic needs of you and your generator with each increased level providing a more in depth service. In the future we will considering an a la carte menu of services for those Do-It-Yourselfers who change their oil & filter themselves.
Our technicians are provided with your information and will contact you prior to making any additional cost repairs. They will be prepared to give you the approximate cost of repairs, whether the part is on their truck or to be ordered and how long the repair will take. Current Generator Labor Repair Rates will apply for the additional time on site, beginning after the normal service allotted time. Most common parts are stocked on all of our service trucks to ensure you are getting the best service in the industry!
Hale’s has a fully stocked Parts Department ready to provide you with the parts you need! Visit our Parts Page to learn more.
Any Authorized Generac dealer can perform warranty service. Connect with us to learn more about warranty repairs.
An automatic backup generator is a back up electrical system that operates whether you are home or away. Within seconds of an outage, it automatically supplies power directly to your home’s electrical circuit breaker box. After utility power returns, the generator shuts itself off and waits for the next outage. It operates on natural gas or liquid propane gas and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit. See the video below for more information.
During a utility power outage, an automatic backup generator provides numerous advantages over a portable generator:
- The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators as a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator.
- With an automatic backup generator properly installed outside, your home is protected from deadly carbon monoxide poisoning that is a much greater risk with portable generators.
- Running on the home’s natural gas or LP fuel supply, it is less expensive to run than gasoline and sources such as natural gas do not need to be refilled.
- They start automatically within seconds of a power outage, and eliminate the need to haul a portable generator outside or run extension cords throughout your home.
- They provide protection 24/7, whether you’re home or away, and they turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage.
The very best way to understand your options and work within your budget is to schedule a free in-home assessment. During your consultation, you will receive the personalized attention and detailed evaluation you need to find a solution that works for your need.
No…the generator fuel costs would be much more expensive than buying power from the utility company since their cost to produce electricity is divided among thousands of customers. Our automatic generators are produced for use as backup to utility power specifically and should not be used as primary power. Please refer to the warranty policy for additional information. You can find a copy of the warranty on every product pages.
The engines! Air-cooled generators come with engines that use fans to force air across the engine for cooling, while liquid-cooled generators use enclosed radiator systems for cooling, similar to an automobile. Generally, liquid-cooled engines are used on larger kW generators due to the larger engines required for the higher power output.
Generac is one of the few companies to offer premium aluminum enclosures for its residential backup generators. Aluminum enclosures are naturally rust and corrosion resistant. For salt air or high humidity conditions, aluminum is highly recommended to ensure decades of worry free service.
Generac generators are equipped with overload protection. In the rare event of an overload, the generator’s circuit breaker will trip, disconnecting the unit from the load. Simply correct the overload and reset the breaker in the generator. For more information, please consult your owner’s manual or contact us.
This is a maintenance reminder light. Service reminders include inspect battery, change oil and filter, change air filter, inspect spark plugs, and change spark plugs. If you see a yellow LED give our office a call to discuss our current maintenance plans at (804) 518-3060 or visit our Connect with Us Page.
All generators require periodic maintenance, such as oil and filter changes to ensure maximum performance for years of reliable service. Scheduled maintenance kits are available and many Generac authorized dealers offer annual maintenance contracts for a worry-free ownership experience. Generac recommends you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules.
You could perform the simpler site preparation steps and have a professional make the electrical panel and fuel connections, or you could complete the entire installation yourself. However, for safety reasons and to ensure adherence to all local, state and national electrical codes, particularly for non pre-wired or larger systems, Generac recommends you use an authorized Generac dealer such as the Hale YES Team or licensed contractor. When selecting a site, always follow the guidelines in the Site Selection and Preparation section of your unit’s installation manual. At Hale’s, we ensure your generator is connected to your home safely and meets all local safety codes. Read more about the installation process here
All generators require periodic maintenance, such as oil and filter changes, to ensure maximum performance for years of reliable service. Generac recommends you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules.
Generac recommends you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules. In addition to the oil & filter change, our factory trained technicians regap/ change your spark plugs, clean / replace your air filter and adjust the operational settings of your generator to factory settings for optimal performance.
Owner’s manuals and other documentation can be downloaded from Generac’s Product Support Page using the unit’s serial number, or contact us for further assistance.
An SAE rated high detergent oil that meets API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline engines, similar to your car. Refer to your owner’s manual for details. To find your owner’s manual online, visit Generac’s Product Support page and enter your serial number or model number.
These adjustments should be handled by a skilled / trained technician to limit the potential of voiding your warranty or causing operational issues with your Generac Generator. Newer models of Generac generators have a system event log that our technicians have been trained to use to troubleshoot and service your generator, based on it’s recent performance. Their training is an added value to you during annual maintenance, as they are skilled in heading off most potential performance issues at service.
To accommodate a variety of budgets and needs, we provide several levels of service. Each level provides a specific set of criteria for our technicians. An industry standard, rest assured that each level provides for the basic needs of you and your generator with each increased level providing a more in depth service. In the future we will considering an a la carte menu of services for those Do-It-Yourselfers who change their oil & filter themselves.
Our technicians are provided with your information and will contact you prior to making any additional cost repairs. They will be prepared to give you the approximate cost of repairs, whether the part is on their truck or to be ordered and how long the repair will take. Current Generator Labor Repair Rates will apply for the additional time on site, beginning after the normal service allotted time. Most common parts are stocked on all of our service trucks to ensure you are getting the best service in the industry!
Hale’s has a fully stocked Parts Department ready to provide you with the parts you need! Visit our Parts Page to learn more.
Any Authorized Generac dealer can perform warranty service. Connect with us to learn more about warranty repairs.
During a utility power outage, an automatic backup generator provides numerous advantages over a portable generator:
- The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators as a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator.
- With an automatic backup generator properly installed outside, your home is protected from deadly carbon monoxide poisoning that is a much greater risk with portable generators.
- Running on the home’s natural gas or LP fuel supply, it is less expensive to run than gasoline and sources such as natural gas do not need to be refilled.
- They start automatically within seconds of a power outage, and eliminate the need to haul a portable generator outside or run extension cords throughout your home.
- They provide protection 24/7, whether you’re home or away, and they turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage.
All generators require periodic maintenance, such as oil and filter changes, to ensure maximum performance for years of reliable service. Generac recommends you have your unit serviced every 6 months by an authorized independent service dealer. Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules.
Owner’s manuals and other documentation can be downloaded from Generac’s Product Support Page using the unit’s serial number, or contact us for further assistance.
Hale’s has a fully stocked Parts Department ready to provide you with the parts you need! Visit our Parts Page to learn more.
Any Authorized Generac dealer can perform warranty service. Connect with us to learn more about warranty repairs.
NEVER run a portable generator directly in the rain, snow or other wet conditions. NEVER run a portable generator indoors or in a garage.
No. Never run the generator indoors, in a garage or in an enclosed area. Portable generators are designed to run outside where there is plenty of ventilation.
Use clean, fresh unleaded gasoline with a minimum 87 octane rating.
Yes. It is highly recommended that you drain the fuel from the tank and run the carburetor dry. Another alternative would be using fuel stabilizer, being sure to carefully follow the fuel stabilizer’s ratio instructions, and noting the duration that the fuel stabilizer is effective for.
It depends on the application.
When using just the extension cords, you do not need to use a ground rod. (If you have a bonded neutral portable generator. This can be found in the owner’s manual.)
When connecting to an electrical panel (building electrical system, manual transfer switch, RV, etc.) you need to connect your generator to the ground rod.
Ground rods must be pounded into the earth, then connected to the ground lug on the generator via a ground cable. The rod must be at least 8ft into the earth.
We strongly recommend that you check and adhere to all applicable federal, state and local regulations relating to grounding.
Always refer to your owners manual. Typically for enviorments above 32°F, use SAE 30. Below 40°F and down to -10°F, use 10W-30. Synthetic 5W-30 can be used in all temperatures. Oil should be changed after the first 20-30 hours of operation and every 100 hours of run time thereafter.
Rated watts describe the amount of power the portable generator can produce continuously. Maximum wattage is the power that the generator can produce for short periods of time. Motor starting is a good example of maximum wattage requirements.
