Can I use a portable generator to power my well pump during an outage in New Brunswick?
Can I use a portable generator to power my well pump during an outage in New Brunswick?
Yes — powering a well pump with a portable generator is one of the most critical applications for rural New Brunswick homeowners during power outages. Without power, no well pump means no water for drinking, flushing, cooking, or livestock. Here's how to do it safely and effectively.
Why This Matters in NB
A significant portion of New Brunswick's population relies on private wells — particularly in rural areas outside the municipal water systems of Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, and a few larger towns. When NB Power goes down during ice storms, nor'easters, or post-tropical storms (which can mean days without power in areas like the Miramichi, Acadian Peninsula, Upper Saint John Valley, and Kings County), losing water is often a bigger immediate problem than losing lights.
Know Your Well Pump
The first step is identifying your pump type, because this determines the generator size and connection method:
Submersible Pump (Most Common in NB)
A submersible pump sits at the bottom of your well, typically 50–200 feet underground. It pushes water up to a pressure tank in your basement.
| Pump Size | Running Watts | Starting Watts | Minimum Generator |
|-----------|--------------|----------------|-------------------|
| 1/3 HP | 500–750W | 1,000–1,500W | 2,000W |
| 1/2 HP | 750–1,000W | 1,500–2,000W | 3,000W |
| 3/4 HP | 1,000–1,500W | 2,000–3,000W | 4,000W |
| 1 HP | 1,500–2,000W | 3,000–4,000W | 5,000W |
| 1.5 HP | 2,000–2,500W | 4,000–5,000W | 6,000W |
Starting watts are critical. A well pump's motor draws 2–3 times its running wattage for the first few seconds when it starts. Your generator must handle this surge or the pump won't start (the generator will bog down, stall, or trip its overload protection).
Jet Pump (Less Common, Shallow Wells)
Jet pumps sit above ground in your basement and draw water using suction. They're found on shallower wells (under 25 feet for single-pipe, under 70 feet for dual-pipe).
| Pump Size | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|-----------|--------------|----------------|
| 1/2 HP | 750W | 1,500–2,000W |
| 1 HP | 1,500W | 3,000–4,000W |
Jet pumps have similar starting surge requirements to submersible pumps.
How to Find Your Pump Size
- Check the pump controller or pressure switch in your basement — it often has a label with the HP rating
- Check the well inspection report from when the well was drilled (should be in your home documents)
- Look at the breaker in your panel — the dedicated well pump breaker indicates the circuit size (15A for 1/2 HP, 20A for 3/4–1 HP)
- If unsure, assume 1/2 HP (the most common residential size in NB) and plan for 3,000W minimum generator capacity
Connection Methods
Method 1: Extension Cord (Simplest)
For jet pumps (above ground) only:
This does NOT work for submersible pumps because they're hardwired to a dedicated circuit in your panel — there's no plug to connect an extension cord to.
Method 2: Transfer Switch (Recommended)
A manual transfer switch lets you safely connect a generator to specific circuits in your panel — including the hardwired well pump circuit.
How it works:
Cost: $500–$1,200 installed for a 6–10 circuit manual transfer switch, including TSANB permit.
This is the recommended approach for most NB homeowners with well pumps. It's safe, code-compliant, and lets you power the well pump plus other essentials from one generator.
Method 3: Interlock Kit (Budget Alternative)
An interlock kit is a mechanical device installed on your existing panel that prevents the main breaker and a generator backfeed breaker from being on simultaneously.
How it works:
Cost: $200–$500 installed, including TSANB permit.
Advantage over a transfer switch: Less expensive and powers any circuit in the panel (not just preselected ones). Disadvantage: Requires manually turning off non-essential breakers to manage load.
Method 4: Direct Wire (Emergency Only — Not Code Compliant)
Some homeowners wire a plug directly to the well pump's dedicated circuit to use an extension cord during emergencies. This is NOT recommended because:
- It bypasses the overcurrent protection of the breaker
- The connection may not handle the motor's starting surge safely
- It doesn't prevent backfeed to the grid
- It fails TSANB inspection and may void insurance
Generator Sizing for Well Pump + Essentials
Don't buy a generator just for the well pump — size it for your essential loads combined:
| Load Combination | Minimum Generator |
|-----------------|-------------------|
| Well pump only (1/2 HP) | 3,000W |
| Well pump + fridge + lights | 3,500W |
| Well pump + fridge + lights + sump pump | 5,000W |
| Well pump + fridge + lights + furnace blower | 5,000W |
| All above + freezer + some baseboard heat | 7,500–10,000W |
Important: Don't start the well pump at the same time as other heavy loads. Start the pump first (let it run through a full pressure cycle), then add other loads. This prevents the combined starting surges from overloading the generator.
Practical Tips for NB Outages
Water conservation during generator use: Your generator may not run continuously (fuel conservation, noise at night, mechanical rest). When the generator is running and the well pump is operating:
- Fill the bathtub (emergency water storage — 150+ litres)
- Fill large pots and clean containers for drinking water
- Run a load of laundry if needed
- Let the pressure tank fill completely (listen for the pump to shut off)
A full pressure tank (typically 30–50 gallons) provides 10–20 flushes and several minutes of faucet use before the pump needs to run again.
Generator run schedule: For water only, running the generator 2–3 times daily for 30–60 minutes is sufficient to keep the pressure tank filled and meet basic water needs. This conserves fuel — a 5,000W generator uses roughly 2–3 litres of gasoline per hour at 50% load.
Freeze protection: During winter NB outages, if you can't run the generator continuously, open faucets to a slow drip to prevent pipe freezing. Well water comes from below the frost line (typically 4+ feet in NB), so the water itself is above freezing — but pipes in unheated areas (crawlspace, exterior walls, garage) can freeze if the house temperature drops.
Well pump caution: Don't run the well pump dry. If your well has a low yield (common in some NB geological areas, particularly slate and granite regions), continuous pumping during an extended outage can draw the water level below the pump intake. If the pump runs dry, it damages the seals and motor. If you notice reduced water pressure or sputtering at the faucet, let the well recover for several hours before running the pump again.
Cost Summary
| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Portable generator (5,000W) | $800–$1,500 |
| Portable generator (7,500W) | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Transfer switch (6 circuit, installed) | $500–$1,200 |
| Interlock kit (installed) | $200–$500 |
| TSANB permit | $75–$150 |
| Heavy-duty extension cord (10-gauge, 50 ft) | $50–$80 |
| Generator cord (L14-30, 25 ft) | $40–$80 |
| Total (generator + transfer switch) | $1,500–$3,000 |
For a rural NB homeowner with a well, this $1,500–$3,000 investment provides water security during the extended outages that are a predictable part of Maritime life.
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