When a hurricane hits Houston, power loss isn’t a maybe—it’s almost guaranteed. For commercial facilities, that’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a serious threat to operations, safety, and bottom lines.
Your generator is there to catch the fall—but what happens if it fails, too?
Here are the top three reasons commercial generators fail during hurricanes—and how to make sure yours isn’t one of them.
1. It Can’t Handle the Load
This one’s sneaky. The generator starts up just fine—but the moment it’s put under pressure, it can’t deliver the power your facility actually needs. The result? Shutdown. Delays. Panic.
Why it happens:
Most facilities skip true performance testing. A simple start-up test doesn’t reveal how your generator will behave under load.
How to prevent it:
- Schedule a Load Bank Test. This simulates your facility’s power demands and shows whether your generator can handle them. It reveals weak spots before a real outage exposes them the hard way.
- Test before hurricane season, not during it.
2. Battery Failure
One of the most common—and preventable—failures. The generator doesn’t start at all, and by the time you realize it’s a battery issue, the damage is done.
Why it happens:
Batteries degrade over time. Without regular inspection, you won’t know that yours is on its last leg until it’s too late.
How to prevent it:
- Include battery checks in your preventative maintenance plan.
- Replace weak or aging batteries before storm season starts.
- Monitor voltage levels with routine diagnostics.
3. Fuel or Coolant System Problems
Leaks, clogs, or contaminated fluids can bring your generator down fast—especially if it hasn’t been run in months.
Why it happens:
Systems go unchecked. Filters stay dirty. Fuel gets stale. Coolant levels drop.
How to prevent it:
- Book a full system inspection before hurricane season.
- Replace filters, top off fluids, and clean out any build-up.
- Test your generator’s cooling and fuel systems under real-world conditions—another reason to schedule a Load Bank Test.
Don’t Let These Failures Catch You Off Guard
At American Generator Services in Houston, our goal is simple: to be the last call you ever have to make for your backup power. We specialize in helping commercial facilities prepare for the unexpected. Our local technicians understand the power demands of high-stakes operations—and the pressure that hurricane season brings.
We offer:
- Comprehensive inspections
- Load Bank Testing for performance confidence
- 80-point Preventative Maintenance Programs
- 24/7 emergency repair and field support
Be the Business That’s Ready
When the next storm hits, your generator shouldn’t be a question mark. It should be a guarantee.
Contact American Generator Services Houston today to schedule your pre-season inspection and load bank test. We’ll keep your power on—no matter what the forecast says.
