Should I run my NB generator weekly to keep it ready?

Yes, running your standby generator weekly is one of the best maintenance habits you can develop — and in New Brunswick, where ice storms can knock out power for days, a generator that won't start is a serious problem.

Most generator manufacturers recommend a weekly exercise cycle of 20–30 minutes under load. This keeps the engine lubricated, prevents fuel from going stale in the carburetor, prevents battery drain, and ensures the automatic transfer switch (ATS) is functioning properly. Many modern whole-home standby generators (Generac, Kohler, Briggs & Stratton) have a built-in automatic exercise mode that does this for you on a schedule — if yours has this feature, make sure it's enabled and set to a time that won't disturb your neighbours.

What the Weekly Run Actually Does

Running the generator regularly circulates oil through the engine, which prevents seals from drying out and cylinder walls from developing surface rust. It also keeps the battery charged — a dead battery is one of the most common reasons generators fail to start during an outage. For propane or natural gas units, the weekly run confirms fuel supply and pressure are intact. For gasoline-powered portables, stale fuel is the number one failure point, so running it weekly burns through old fuel and keeps fresh gas cycling through the system.

NB-Specific Considerations

New Brunswick's climate adds urgency to this routine. Ice storms can arrive with little warning between November and March, and outages in rural areas can last 3–7 days. A generator that sat untouched since last winter may have a dead battery, gummed-up carburetor, or low oil — none of which you want to discover at 11pm during a freezing rain event. If your generator is propane-fed, also confirm your tank level before winter sets in, as propane suppliers get extremely busy during storm events.

Beyond the weekly run, plan for an annual professional service — oil and filter change, spark plug inspection, air filter replacement, and a full load test. This is especially important for whole-home standby units connected to your panel via an automatic transfer switch, as the ATS itself needs periodic inspection to ensure it will switch cleanly when NB Power goes down.

A Note on Safety

Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows and doors — carbon monoxide poisoning is a real and deadly risk. Standby generators installed by a licensed electrician will be properly positioned outdoors with adequate clearance, but portable generators need to be at least 5–6 metres from any opening in your home.

If your generator hasn't been serviced in a while or you're thinking about adding a whole-home standby unit before next winter, New Brunswick Electrical can match you with a local licensed electrician who handles generator installation and maintenance across all of NB — free of charge.