Storm-Readiness Check — 20 scored checks (IE)

Twenty questions in four groups, scored as you go. Built from the lessons of Storm Éowyn in January 2025, when 750,000+ Irish premises lost power and the households that came through best were serviced, fuelled and ready before the warning was issued. The full rationale is in the storm-season maintenance guide.

Storm-readiness score

Not started 0 of 20 checked

1 · Power and starting

Standby set had its annual service in the last 12 months (oil, filters, battery test) The automatic exercise run has completed in the last fortnight (log or heard it) A manual start test was done in the last month under light load Controller shows no fault codes (no amber or red indicators) Starting battery is under 4 years old or was load-tested at the last service

2 · Fuel

Tank holds enough for a multi-day outage (three days at typical load as a planning bar) Fuel topped up before storm season, not after the warning Diesel checked for water or sludge at the last service (or LPG regulator checked) Fuel supplier's delivery arrangement confirmed for winter Portable backup (if any) has fresh fuel and runs outdoors only

3 · Household plan

Everyone knows what the ATS does by itself — and not to touch the changeover during an event With a manual switch: somebody home knows the safe switching sequence, outdoors Heavy appliances will be staggered (80% rule respected mid-outage) Torches, power banks and phones charged before Status Red, not after Enclosure area cleared of loose items and debris before high wind

4 · Information and contacts

ESB PowerCheck bookmarked for outage and restoration status Service partner's storm-season number saved on your phone RECI completion certificate and warranty documents filed and findable Fuel autonomy figure known (run-hours at typical load) This checklist re-run every autumn — the September reset

Scoring

0–39% — Unprepared: fix power/starting and fuel first; those two decide whether the set runs at all. 40–69% — Getting there: the common post-Éowyn profile — the machine is fine, the plan has holes. 70–99% — Nearly ready: close the remaining gaps before the next named storm. 100% — Storm-ready: hold the September reset every year and this stays true.

This checklist is general guidance, not a substitute for your installed unit's manual or your service partner's schedule (both authoritative).

Storm-readiness check for standby generators