How do I choose between a portable and standby generator for my NB home?

Portable vs. Standby Generator: Choosing the Right One for New Brunswick

New Brunswick's outage profile — ice storms lasting days, post-tropical storms, and heavy snow events — makes a generator more of a necessity than a luxury. The choice between portable and standby comes down to your budget, how much of your home you want powered, and how much effort you're willing to put in during an outage.

Portable Generator Overview

What it is: A gasoline (or dual-fuel gas/propane) engine-driven generator that you wheel out, start manually, and connect to your home via extension cords or a transfer switch.

Power range: 3,000–12,000 watts

Costs:

| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Generator (5,000–7,500W recommended for NB) | $800–$2,500 |
| Manual transfer switch or interlock kit | $800–$1,500 (installed) |
| Heavy-duty outdoor extension cords (if no transfer switch) | $50–$150 |
| TSANB permit (for transfer switch) | $50–$100 |
| Total | $800–$4,150 |

What it powers (5,000–7,500W typical):

• Refrigerator and freezer


• Well pump (with transfer switch)


• Several lights


• Furnace fan (oil or gas furnace)


• Phone and device charging


• NOT enough for: electric baseboard heat, electric stove, central AC, multiple large appliances simultaneously

Pros:

• Lower upfront cost


• Portable — can take it camping, to a cottage, or lend to a neighbour


• No installation required (if using extension cords only)


• Multiple fuel options (dual-fuel models run on gasoline or propane)

Cons:

• Must be started manually — you're going outside in an ice storm at 2 AM


• Requires gasoline (which goes stale in 3–6 months without stabilizer, and gas stations may be closed during extended outages)


• Must run outdoors, 6+ metres from windows and doors (CO hazard)


• Noisy — 65–75 dB (conversation-level to lawnmower-level)


• Limited runtime — 8–12 hours per tank, then manual refuelling


• Can't power 240V loads (like well pump or baseboard heaters) without a transfer switch

Standby Generator Overview

What it is: A permanently installed, automatic generator that detects a power outage and starts within 10–30 seconds. Runs on propane or natural gas (where available).

Power range: 10,000–48,000 watts (10–48 kW)

Costs:

| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Generator unit (16–22 kW recommended for NB homes) | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Automatic transfer switch | Included with most units |
| Installation (electrical + concrete pad + gas line) | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Propane tank (500L, if not existing) | $1,500–$3,000 (owned) or $0 (leased) |
| TSANB electrical permit | $75–$150 |
| TSANB gas permit (propane connection) | $50–$100 |
| Total | $8,000–$20,000 |

What it powers (16–22 kW typical):

• Entire house including all appliances


• Well pump


• Electric baseboard heaters (some or all, depending on generator size)


• Stove, dryer, hot water tank


• Heat pump


• Everything simultaneously (properly sized unit)

Pros:

• Fully automatic — starts itself, you don't even need to be home


• Powers entire house (properly sized)


• Runs on propane (stored on-site, doesn't go stale, available even when gas stations are closed)


• Quieter than portable — 55–65 dB (air conditioner level)


• Runs indefinitely as long as propane supply lasts (a 500L tank runs a 22kW generator for 3–5 days under typical load)


• Handles 240V loads (well pump, baseboard heat, dryer, stove)


• Increases home resale value ($3,000–$5,000 added value)

Cons:

• Much higher upfront cost


• Permanent installation — cannot be moved


• Requires annual maintenance ($200–$400/year — oil change, filter, exercise test)


• Propane tank rental or purchase


• Setback requirements — minimum distance from windows, property lines, and combustible materials per code

Decision Framework for NB Homeowners

| Factor | Portable | Standby |
|--------|----------|---------|
| Budget under $2,000 | Best choice | Not feasible |
| Budget $8,000–$20,000 | Overkill | Best choice |
| On well water | Works with transfer switch | Better (automatic) |
| Electric baseboard heat | Cannot power | Can power (sized correctly) |
| Heat pump | Cannot power (240V) | Can power |
| Rural NB (long outages) | Fuel supply may run out | Propane stored on-site |
| Urban NB (shorter outages) | Usually adequate | Convenient but may be overkill |
| Elderly or mobility-limited occupants | Difficult to manage | Best choice (automatic) |
| Medical equipment at home | Risky (startup delay, manual) | Best choice (automatic, fast) |
| Resale value consideration | Minimal impact | Adds $3,000–$5,000 |

The Middle Ground: Portable + Transfer Switch

For NB homeowners who can't justify the standby generator cost but want more than extension cords:

A 7,500W portable generator ($1,200–$2,500) with a manual transfer switch ($800–$1,500 installed) gives you:

• Safe connection to your panel (no backfeed risk)


• Ability to power 240V circuits (well pump, one or two baseboard zones)


• Selection of which circuits get generator power


• Total cost: $2,000–$4,000 — much less than standby but much more capable than cords alone

This is the most popular setup for NB homeowners in the $2,000–$4,000 budget range.

Sizing Recommendations for NB

| Home Type | Portable Size | Standby Size |
|-----------|--------------|-------------|
| Small (1,000 sq ft, no well, oil/gas heat) | 3,500–5,000W | 10–14 kW |
| Medium (1,500 sq ft, well pump, oil/heat pump) | 5,000–7,500W | 16–20 kW |
| Large (2,000+ sq ft, well, electric heat) | 7,500–10,000W | 20–22 kW |
| Large with EV charger, hot tub, workshop | 10,000–12,000W | 22–48 kW |

Installation Requirements

Both portable (with transfer switch) and standby generators require a TSANB electrical permit. Standby generators also need a gas permit if propane-fueled. Have your TSANB-licensed electrician handle both permits and coordinate the inspections.

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