Fuel your generator before the storm, not after
Gas stations on this coast often run out before a storm arrives. How much fuel a standby generator uses, and why it should be filled while the roads are still open.
Why stations run out
When a storm enters the forecast, demand rises all at once. Gas stations along the coast often run out a day or two before it arrives.
Once the power goes out and roads close, a generator runs only on the fuel already in its tank.
How much fuel a generator uses
Usually more than owners expect. A generator powering a home or small business can empty its tank in a single long night.
The calculation is worth doing before storm season. Multiply your generator’s hourly fuel use at its expected load by the longest outage you have experienced, then compare the result with the tank size. The difference is the fuel you need delivered.
Start every outage with a full tank
A generator with a full tank keeps your power on. Without fuel, even a well-maintained generator will not run.
Schedule your fill while the storm is still in the forecast.
Check fuel levels year-round
Standby generators run scheduled test cycles that use fuel, and diesel degrades when it sits too long. Check fuel levels throughout the year, not only before a storm.