Salt air corrosion. Aluminum enclosures resist it better than steel, but connections, terminals, and wiring still degrade faster within a few miles of the water. Annual inspection catches it before it becomes a problem.
Flood elevation. If your property is in a FEMA flood zone (and a lot of Wilmington is), the generator needs to sit above base flood elevation. That can mean a raised concrete pad or platform, which affects cost and placement.
Wind rating. Generac units are rated for 150 mph winds when properly anchored to a concrete pad with manufacturer hardware. We don't skip the anchoring because it's what keeps the unit in place during a Category 3+.
Noise and setbacks. Modern standby generators run about 65 dB, roughly the volume of a normal conversation. New Hanover County has noise ordinances and setback requirements from property lines. HOA communities like Landfall may also require prior approval. We handle placement with all of this in mind.
Annual Maintenance
Standby generators run a self-test every week, but they still need a yearly checkup: oil change, air filter, spark plugs, battery, and a full load test. Coastal units also need a corrosion check on the enclosure and connections.
Most customers schedule maintenance in the fall before hurricane season. If you've got a generator that hasn't been serviced in a while, text Cliff a photo of the unit and he'll let you know what it needs.