How do I safely use a portable generator during a New Brunswick winter storm?

Safely Using a Portable Generator During New Brunswick Winter Storms

Portable generators save lives during New Brunswick's winter storms — but they also kill people every year across Canada when used incorrectly. Carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, and fire are all real risks that can be avoided with proper setup and usage. Whether you're dealing with an ice storm in the Saint John River Valley, a nor'easter hitting the Fundy coast, or a blizzard in northern New Brunswick, these safety rules are non-negotiable.

Carbon Monoxide — The #1 Killer

Carbon monoxide (CO) from generator exhaust is colourless and odourless. It kills quickly — a portable generator produces as much CO as hundreds of idling cars. Every winter, Canadians die from generator CO poisoning during power outages.

Absolute rules:

• NEVER run a generator indoors — not in the house, garage, basement, enclosed porch, or any partially enclosed space. Even with the garage door open, CO concentrations can reach lethal levels in minutes.
• Place the generator at least 6 metres (20 feet) from any door, window, or vent — and position it so exhaust blows away from the house, not toward it. Wind direction during Maritime storms can shift, so check periodically.
• NEVER run a generator in a snowbank or snow cave — some people create windbreaks around generators using snow or tarps. This traps exhaust and creates a lethal CO pocket.
• Install battery-powered CO detectors on every level of your home. If you don't have them, buy them before storm season. They cost $25-$40 each at any New Brunswick hardware store and are required by the NB building code in all homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.

If your CO detector alarms during a power outage: Get everyone outside immediately. Call 911. Do not re-enter until emergency services clear the home.

Electrical Safety — Preventing Backfeed and Electrocution

NEVER plug a generator directly into a wall outlet or your electrical panel using a "suicide cord" (a male-to-male extension cord). This is called backfeeding, and it is:

• Illegal under the Canadian Electrical Code and New Brunswick regulations
• Potentially fatal — electricity feeds back through your panel, through the meter, and onto NB Power's distribution lines at up to 7,200 volts. Line workers repairing the outage can be electrocuted by your generator.
• Destructive — when NB Power restores service, the utility power and your generator collide, destroying the generator and potentially causing a fire

Safe connection methods:

Option 1: Extension cords (simplest)
Run individual outdoor-rated extension cords from the generator directly to appliances. Use heavy-duty cords rated for the load:

• 14 AWG cords: Up to 15 amps, max 30 metres (100 feet)


• 12 AWG cords: Up to 20 amps, max 30 metres


• 10 AWG cords: Up to 30 amps, max 15 metres (50 feet)

Don't daisy-chain extension cords or run them through closed windows or doors where insulation can be damaged. Keep cord connections elevated and dry — don't let them sit in snow or puddles.

Option 2: Transfer switch (recommended)
A transfer switch is a permanently installed device that safely connects your generator to specific circuits in your home. When you flip the switch, those circuits disconnect from NB Power and connect to the generator. When power returns, you flip back.

• Manual transfer switch (6-10 circuits): $500-$1,500 installed by a licensed electrician. Covers essential circuits — well pump, furnace, fridge, some lights.
• Automatic transfer switch (whole house): $2,000-$4,000 installed. Detects power loss and switches automatically. Required for standby generators.
• Interlock kit: $200-$500 installed. A mechanical device on your existing panel that prevents the main breaker and generator breaker from being on simultaneously. Less expensive than a full transfer switch but still requires a licensed electrician and TSANB permit.

Generator Sizing for New Brunswick Winter Essentials

Prioritize these loads during a winter outage:

| Essential Load | Wattage | Priority |
|---------------|---------|----------|
| Furnace blower fan | 500-800W (running), 1,500W (starting) | #1 — Prevents frozen pipes |
| Well pump | 1,000-2,000W (running), 2,000-4,000W (starting) | #1 — No water without it |
| Refrigerator | 100-200W (running), 400-600W (starting) | #2 — Food preservation |
| Freezer | 100-200W (running), 400-600W (starting) | #2 — Food preservation |
| Sump pump | 500-1,000W (running), 1,200-2,000W (starting) | #2 — Flood prevention |
| LED lighting (10 bulbs) | 100W total | #3 — Safety |
| Phone chargers | 25-50W | #3 — Communication |
| Space heater (if no furnace) | 1,500W | Emergency only |

Minimum recommended for winter: A 5,000-7,500 watt generator covers the furnace fan, well pump, fridge, and lights — the bare minimum to keep a New Brunswick home safe during a multi-day winter outage. Budget: $700-$1,500.

Cold Weather Generator Operation

New Brunswick winter conditions create specific generator challenges:

Starting in extreme cold (-20°C and below):

• Use fresh gasoline — stale fuel from last season may not ignite in cold temperatures. Add fuel stabilizer if storing gas for more than 30 days.


• Synthetic oil (5W-30) flows better in extreme cold than conventional oil. Check your generator's manual for cold-weather oil recommendations.


• Electric start models are much easier to start in cold. Keep the starter battery on a trickle charger before storm season.


• Pull-start models: Pull slowly 2-3 times to prime before pulling hard to start. Choke fully closed for cold starts.

During operation:

• Let the generator warm up for 2-3 minutes before connecting loads


• Add loads one at a time, starting with the highest-surge item (well pump or furnace) to avoid overloading


• Monitor the generator regularly — don't leave it running unattended for hours in a snowstorm without checking


• Keep the generator dry. A basic canopy or lean-to shelter (open on all sides for ventilation) protects the generator from direct snow and ice while allowing exhaust to dissipate safely. Commercial generator tents cost $100-$300.


• Never refuel while running or hot. Shut down, wait 5-10 minutes for cooling, then refuel. Gasoline vapour from a hot engine ignites easily.

Fuel management:

• A typical 5,000W generator burns 6-10 litres of gasoline per hour at 50% load


• For a 3-day outage at 12 hours/day of runtime: budget 50-75 litres of fuel


• Store gasoline in approved containers only, in a well-ventilated area away from the home and generator


• Never store gasoline indoors — vapour accumulation is explosive


• Propane generators are advantageous in New Brunswick — propane doesn't go stale, stores indefinitely, and starts more reliably in cold weather. A standard 20 lb tank provides 8-10 hours of runtime at 50% load on a 5,000W generator.

After the Storm

When NB Power restores service:

Turn off and disconnect all loads from the generator

If using a transfer switch, switch back to utility power

Let the generator run unloaded for 2-3 minutes to cool down

Turn off the generator

If using extension cords, unplug and properly store them

Drain the carburetor or add fuel stabilizer if you won't use the generator for more than 30 days

Inspect the generator for any damage from the storm

Legal Requirements in New Brunswick

• Transfer switch installation requires a TSANB permit and licensed electrician
• Backfeeding is illegal under the CEC and NB electrical regulations
• Noise bylaws may restrict generator use in some New Brunswick municipalities — check local bylaws, though most communities waive noise restrictions during declared emergencies
• WorkSafeNB regulations apply if using a generator at a workplace

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