Living in a coastal state like New Jersey brings unique weather challenges. From hurricanes and nor’easters to salt air corrosion and flooding, these environmental factors can significantly impact a standby generator’s performance and longevity, even when it is not running. Choosing the right generator and ensuring proper installation can make all the difference in keeping your home powered through extreme weather events. This guide covers the key climate-related factors to consider when purchasing and maintaining a standby generator for a coastal home or business.
Environmental Factors to Consider When Buying a Generator
Here, we list five things you should always consider when choosing both a standby power system, and the contractor that will install it.
1. Flooding and Storm Surge Protection
The most obvious consideration for generator ownership if you are lucky enough to live close to the water is flooding. Unlike more inland properties, homes near the water’s edge need to protect their standby power system from water intrusion. Floodwaters, especially saline ones, can severely damage generators, leading to electrical hazards and system failures.
To mitigate these issues, your generator installer should do the following:
- Install the generator on an elevated platform above FEMA’s Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your area to reduce the risk of water damage.
- Use water-resistant enclosures and properly seal fuel lines to prevent water infiltration.
- Equip automatic shutoff features that prevent operation during dangerous flooding conditions, protecting both the generator and your home’s electrical system.
2. Wind-Resistant Installation
The second clear hazard to your generator is wind damage. Even though a standby generator is heavy and seemingly immovable, the high winds from coastal storms can, in fact, move them enough to cause damage. Your generator contractor should:
- Install the generator on a reinforced concrete pad with heavy-duty anchoring to ensure stability against hurricane-force winds. (If the generator is elevated, the supporting structure should meet wind resistance standards and likewise be anchored properly.)
- Consider generator enclosures rated for wind resistance, particularly in hurricane-prone areas.
- Locate the generator away from areas prone to flying debris to reduce the risk of impact damage.
3. Salt Air and Corrosion Resistance
Even in fine weather, the salty air in coastal environments can accelerate metal corrosion, leading to premature wear and failure of generator components. Your generator professional should help you:
- Choose a generator with a corrosion-resistant aluminum or stainless-steel enclosure to withstand the harsh coastal climate.
- Perform regular maintenance, including protective coatings and anti-corrosion sprays, to extend the lifespan of your generator.
- Keep generator components like wiring, fuel lines, and electrical contacts clean to prevent salt buildup, which can cause electrical issues over time.
4. High Humidity and Heavy Rainfall Considerations
Another fact of life in our coastal climate is constant moisture. Central Jersey’s high humidity and heavy rainfall can adversely affect a generator’s efficiency and longevity. The key to preventing this is proper ventilation and airflow, achieved by proper installation and maintenance. Make sure you or your installer do the following:
- Install the generator where it can have adequate airflow to prevent overheating.
- Maintain intake and exhaust vents free of debris, leaves, and salt buildup, which can restrict ventilation.
- Install weather-resistant louvers or covers to protect against driving rain while maintaining proper ventilation
5. The Impact of Extended Outages
Because extreme weather events can be common here in Central New Jersey, power outages can last several days. This adds a few considerations to your standby generator purchase.
- Engine Type: Liquid-cooled generators are better suited for extended use as they run more efficiently and handle higher workloads. Air-cooled engines may overheat if operated continuously for long periods (especially in summer) if they aren’t maintained during the outage.
- Oil Changes & Maintenance: All generators, especially air-cooled ones, could require more frequent oil changes during prolonged outages since the engine heat will eventually break down lubricants. Keep extra oil and filters on hand to ensure uninterrupted operation.
- Fuel Supply: If you have a liquid propane or diesel tank rather than a natural gas, line, keep your tank full and make sure the fuel quality is maintained. See our article on fuel maintenance for more details.
- Load Management: Running your generator at an optimal load level prevents excessive wear and extends operational longevity. Using a power management system can help balance the load and ensure efficient fuel use.
Ongoing Generator Maintenance for Coastal Climates
The same climate issues here in New Jersey that affect the choice of a standby power system also affect their maintenance. You will want your generator professional to perform standard maintenance more often. We recommend that you:
- Schedule routine inspections to check for rust, corrosion, and damage, particularly after major storms.
- Regularly clean and inspect air filters, electrical connections, and fuel systems to maintain optimal performance.
- Check your remote monitoring system (a phone app, which most of our generators have) to track generator health and receive real-time alerts about maintenance needs.
Conclusion
Choosing the right standby generator for a coastal property requires careful consideration of climate-related challenges. Prioritizing corrosion-resistant materials, wind-resistant anchoring, and flood protection will improve your generator’s durability and performance. Regular maintenance and a reliable fuel supply are key, especially during prolonged outages. With the right generator and quality installation, you’ll be able to count on consistent backup power, no matter what New Jersey’s weather brings.
For a customized generator assessment tailored to your coastal property, contact our team today.
