- What is a Standby Generator?
- Standby vs. Solar Generator:
- Generator Types Comparison
- Benefits and Limits of Standby Generator
- Benefits of a Standby Generator
- Power for the Whole Home
- Increased Home Value
- Limits of Standby Generator
- High Upfront Cost
- Noise and Emissions
- How a Standby Generator Works During Power Outages
- Standby Generator Installation and Maintenance
- Placement and Safety Requirements
- Fuel Supply and Storage
- Noise and Community Bylaws
- Routine Maintenance and Testing
- Annual Professional Inspection
- Keeping it Clean
- FAQ
- What size standby generator do I need for my home?
- How long will a generator keep a house running?
- How much gas does a generator use in 24 hours?
- Is there a low-maintenance alternative to traditional standby generators?
How a Standby Generator Automatically Keeps Your Home On
- What is a Standby Generator?
- Standby vs. Solar Generator:
- Generator Types Comparison
- Benefits and Limits of Standby Generator
- Benefits of a Standby Generator
- Power for the Whole Home
- Increased Home Value
- Limits of Standby Generator
- High Upfront Cost
- Noise and Emissions
- How a Standby Generator Works During Power Outages
- Standby Generator Installation and Maintenance
- Placement and Safety Requirements
- Fuel Supply and Storage
- Noise and Community Bylaws
- Routine Maintenance and Testing
- Annual Professional Inspection
- Keeping it Clean
- FAQ
- What size standby generator do I need for my home?
- How long will a generator keep a house running?
- How much gas does a generator use in 24 hours?
- Is there a low-maintenance alternative to traditional standby generators?
In Canada, power outages aren’t rare; they’re something most households have had to deal with, whether it’s a blizzard knocking out electricity for days or a sudden summer storm leaving you in the dark. Beyond the inconvenience, outages can quickly become serious, food spoils in the fridge, pipes risk freezing, and your home loses its comfort and safety. A standby generator changes that. Unlike portable models that need to be hauled out and set up, a standby unit is installed permanently and switches on by itself the instant the grid fails. In this article, we’ll look at what a standby generator is, how it works, and why it’s such a worthwhile safeguard for Canadian homes.
What is a Standby Generator?
A standby generator is a fixed backup power system that runs on a steady fuel supply like natural gas or propane. Unlike portable units that need to be wheeled out and manually started, a standby model is always ready to go. The moment it senses an outage, it automatically kicks in, keeping your lights, heating, and essential appliances running without interruption. This hands-free reliability is a big part of why they’re so valued, especially in parts of Canada such as the Prairies, where sudden storms and unpredictable weather can leave homes without power for hours or even days.
Definition and Features of a Standby Generator
A standby generator isn’t just a motor; it’s a complete system designed to deliver automatic, dependable power. It consists of three main components: the generator itself, an automatic transfer switch (ATS), and a permanent fuel connection. The unit is typically installed outdoors, much like a central AC system, and wired directly into your home’s electrical panel for seamless operation.
Key features include:
Automatic Operation: Instantly powers on when the grid goes down and shuts off once utility power is restored.
Continuous Fuel Source: Connected to a natural gas line or large propane tank, so you don’t have to worry about storing or refilling fuel.
Weatherproof Enclosure: Built with durable casing to withstand Canadian conditions, from blizzards to heavy rain, ensuring reliable performance year-round.
Self-Testing: Many models run routine weekly or bi-weekly diagnostics, so you know the system is ready before the next outage hits.
Differences among Portable, Inverter, and Solar Generators
Not all generators are created equal. Each type serves a different purpose, and knowing the distinctions helps you choose the best option for your home.
Standby vs. Portable Generator
A portable generator is compact and fuelled by gasoline or diesel. It needs to be started manually, connected with extension cords, and topped up regularly. While handy for camping trips or powering a few essentials, it doesn’t provide the hands-off, automatic coverage that a standby generator offers.
Standby vs. Inverter Generator
Inverter generators are also portable but stand out for being quiet and producing clean, stable electricity, which is perfect for sensitive devices like laptops or medical equipment. However, even at higher capacities, they can’t match the automatic switchover or whole-home coverage of a permanently installed standby system.
Standby vs. Solar Generator:
A solar generator or battery backup system stores electricity in a rechargeable battery and draws energy from solar panels or the grid. With no fumes or noise, it’s an eco-friendly choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. That said, it depends on stored capacity and sunshine availability, whereas a standby generator ensures uninterrupted power on demand.
Generator Types Comparison
Feature / Type | Standby Generator | Portable Generator | Solar Generator (Home Battery Backup) | |
Power Source | Natural gas / Propane (continuous supply) | Gasoline / Diesel (manual refuel) | Gasoline (sometimes propane) | Solar panels / Utility grid (battery storage) |
Operation | Fully automatic (ATS detects outage) | Manual start requires cords | Manual start, some models push-button | Automatic, seamless switching with ATS |
Installation | Permanent, outside home, wired to panel | Portable, no installation needed | Portable, light & compact | Stationary or portable; indoor/outdoor options |
Noise Level | Moderate to loud | Loud | Quiet (low decibel) | Silent |
Emissions | Produces exhaust | Produces exhaust | Lower than standard portable | Zero emissions |
Best Use Case | Whole-home backup, long outages | Camping, job sites, and small backup | Sensitive electronics, RVs, and tailgating | Eco-conscious homes, low-maintenance backup |
Maintenance Needs | Regular inspections & fueling | Frequent refuelling & upkeep | Moderate | Minimal |
Runtime | Unlimited with natural gas | Limited by fuel tank size | Limited by fuel tank size | Limited by battery capacity, expandable |
Benefits and Limits of Standby Generator
For many Canadian households, a standby generator offers a level of comfort and reliability that can be invaluable when the grid goes down. Still, it’s important to weigh both the strengths and the drawbacks, and to consider how they play out in everyday life.
Benefits of a Standby Generator
Fully Automatic Operation
Imagine a blizzard sweeping across Manitoba in the middle of the night. The lights flicker, and the power goes out, but within seconds, your standby generator kicks in. You don’t have to trudge outside in the snow to start anything, because it’s all automatic.
Power for the Whole Home
In rural Alberta, where power outages may last for days, whole home backup solutions like a properly sized generator can keep your furnace running, your well pump working, and your freezer full of meat safe from spoiling. Life carries on with minimal disruption, even when the rest of the neighbourhood is in the dark.
Increased Home Value
Homebuyers in Ontario cottage country or on the storm-prone Atlantic coast often view a standby generator as a major bonus. It’s a feature that signals security and preparedness, and it can increase the overall value of your home.
Safety and Security
For families in Northern Quebec or Saskatchewan, losing power in winter can mean frozen pipes, no heating, and a real health risk. A standby generator ensures that your heating system and security devices continue running, keeping your household safe in extreme conditions.
Limits of Standby Generator
Despite its advantages, a traditional standby generator isn’t always the best choice for every household. The biggest barrier for many families is cost, fuel usage, noise and emissions.
High Upfront Cost
The installation of a generator can cost several thousand dollars. For a young family in suburban Calgary, the investment may feel steep, especially when balancing other expenses like mortgages and childcare.
Fuel Consumption
During a long summer outage in British Columbia caused by wildfires, a standby generator running on propane will burn through fuel quickly, which can add up in cost and logistics if refuelling is difficult.
Noise and Emissions
Standby units generate a steady hum and release exhaust. In a quiet neighbourhood in Toronto, this can become a nuisance for both you and your neighbours. This is where modern home battery backup systems provide a quieter, cleaner solution, which is ideal for urban areas where emissions and noise are bigger concerns.
How a Standby Generator Works During Power Outages
The real strength of a standby generator is how smoothly it steps in when the lights go out, a key advantage in the portable vs standby generator comparison. Everything happens automatically, so you don’t have to scramble in the middle of the night or during a snowstorm to restore power.
Detecting a Power Outage
The system begins with the automatic transfer switch (ATS). The instant the utility grid goes down, whether it’s a blizzard in Manitoba that snaps power lines or a summer thunderstorm in Ontario, the ATS detects the loss of electricity within seconds.
Automatic Startup
Once the outage is confirmed, the ATS sends a signal to the generator. The engine starts up quickly, warms up for a few seconds, and stabilizes its power output. For example, if you’re in British Columbia and a windstorm knocks out power, the generator will be ready before your phone battery even has time to run low.
Power Transfer to the Generator
When the generator reaches full operating speed, the ATS disconnects your home from the grid and connects it directly to the generator. This prevents dangerous backfeeding into utility lines. Inside your home, the transition is so quick that your fridge keeps running, your lights only flicker for a second, and your furnace carries on without interruption.
Continuous Operation
The generator will keep supplying power as long as fuel is available. With a steady natural gas line, which significantly influences the long-term cost to run a natural gas generator or a large propane tank, your furnace keeps working, your pipes don’t freeze, and your family stays warm while neighbours without backup are left in the cold.
Returning to Utility Power
When the grid comes back online, the ATS waits to confirm it’s stable without any sudden surges or brownouts. It then switches your home back to utility power and shuts down the generator. By the time you’ve noticed the streetlights outside flickering back on, your standby system is already back in standby mode, ready for the next storm.
Standby Generator Installation and Maintenance
Installing and caring for a standby generator isn’t something you can cut corners on. Proper setup and regular upkeep ensure it will perform exactly as expected when the power suddenly goes out.
Placement and Safety Requirements
A standby generator must always be installed by a licensed professional. The unit needs to rest on a solid, level surface, which is usually a concrete pad, and be positioned a safe distance from doors, windows, and vents to prevent exhaust fumes from entering your home. In many Canadian provinces, local building codes set clear rules about placement. For instance, in Ontario, inspectors will often check setback distances during installation, while in Alberta, additional ventilation requirements may apply. Skipping these steps can result in fines or worse, a dangerous installation.
Fuel Supply and Storage
Most homeowners rely on a natural gas line because it provides an endless supply of fuel without the hassle of refilling. This is especially handy during long outages, such as an ice storm in Quebec that might last for several days. If a natural gas line isn’t available, a large propane tank is the next best option, though it requires monitoring levels and arranging timely refills. Picture a rural property in Nova Scotia where storms often cut off access roads; therefore, having a topped-up propane tank ensures you’re never left without power.
Noise and Community Bylaws
One challenge with traditional standby units is noise. They’re powerful but can be disruptive in suburban neighbourhoods, and in some cities, they may even breach community noise bylaws. This is where new technology offers a better fit. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station is a silent, zero-emission alternative that sidesteps these issues entirely. Its X-Quiet technology makes it perfect for city living, whether you’re in downtown Vancouver or a quiet cul-de-sac in Ottawa. Unlike gas generators, it produces no emissions, meaning it’s safe indoors. Plus, with a lightning-fast 10 ms UPS to protect sensitive electronics and an expandable capacity from 4 kWh up to 48 kWh, it can keep your household powered for days or even a full week. For Canadians who need reliability without noise or fumes, it’s a modern solution that aligns with local regulations and community expectations.
Routine Maintenance and Testing
Owning a standby generator is a bit like owning a car; it needs regular attention to stay reliable. Skipping maintenance can mean the difference between a warm, lit home and scrambling in the dark during the next outage.
Weekly Self-Test
Most modern standby generators are designed to run an automatic self-test once a week. During this brief exercise cycle, the system checks its components and alerts you if something isn’t right. For example, in a Calgary neighbourhood where sudden winter storms often strike, these weekly tests give peace of mind that the generator will be ready the moment the power drops.
Annual Professional Inspection
Once a year, a certified technician should give your generator a thorough inspection. This involves changing the oil, cleaning or replacing the air filter, checking spark plugs, and testing the battery. In provinces like Manitoba, where spring flooding can cause prolonged outages, this annual tune-up ensures your unit is fully prepared to handle heavy demand when it’s needed most.
Keeping it Clean
A generator can’t function properly if it’s buried under snow or surrounded by clutter. Always keep the area clear of leaves, ice, and debris to maintain airflow. Picture a Toronto homeowner after a January blizzard: shovelling around the generator is just as important as clearing the driveway, ensuring the vents stay open and the system can operate safely.
FAQ
What size standby generator do I need for my home?
The right size depends on what you want to power during an outage. A smaller 7kW unit is often enough for essentials like a furnace, fridge, and a few lights, while a larger 20kW system can keep an entire home running, from central AC to a sump pump and multiple appliances at once. Imagine a family in Ottawa during a heatwave, able to stay cool and keep the basement dry without interruption. Since every home has unique energy demands, the best step is to have a professional installer perform a load calculation and recommend the ideal generator size for your needs.
How long will a generator keep a house running?
A standby generator hooked up to a natural gas line can, in theory, keep your home powered for as long as the utility supply is steady, whether that’s a few hours or several days during a prolonged storm. For propane-fuelled models, runtime depends on both the tank size and your household’s energy demands. For example, a 500-gallon propane tank in a Calgary home could keep essential appliances running for over a week, while a smaller tank in cottage country might last only a couple of days if you’re powering heating, refrigeration, and multiple devices at once.
How much gas does a generator use in 24 hours?
The amount of fuel your generator consumes in a day depends on its size and how heavily it’s being used. A 20kW standby generator running at half-load, for instance, typically burns around 1.5 to 2 gallons of propane per hour, which works out to roughly 36 to 48 gallons over a 24-hour period. If the same unit is hooked up to natural gas, consumption is measured in cubic feet, usually between 250 to 300 cubic feet per hour at half-load. While propane is common in rural areas, natural gas is generally the more cost-effective choice for Canadian households connected to the grid, since it eliminates the hassle of refilling tanks during a long outage.
Is there a low-maintenance alternative to traditional standby generators?
Yes, home battery backup systems, often called solar or battery-powered generators, are a modern alternative that requires far less upkeep. Unlike fuel-burning standby units, they run silently, need no oil changes, and produce zero emissions. EcoFlow’s home battery solutions are especially appealing in Canada, thanks to their automatic transfer switch, expandable capacity, and compatibility with solar panels. That means you can keep your essentials running during an outage without worrying about fuel deliveries or noisy operation, while also enjoying a cleaner and more eco-friendly way to protect your home.