Should my NB portable generator be 5kW or 10kW?

For most New Brunswick homes, a 10kW portable generator provides much better value and functionality than a 5kW unit, especially given our frequent ice storms and extended power outages.

The key difference comes down to what you can actually power during an outage. A 5kW generator will handle your essentials - furnace blower, refrigerator, some lights, and maybe a few outlets. But in New Brunswick's harsh winters, you'll likely want more comfort and functionality during those multi-day ice storm outages we experience regularly.

A 10kW portable generator can typically power:

• Furnace or heat pump (including backup electric heat)


• Refrigerator and freezer


• Water well pump (if you have one)


• Several lights throughout the house


• TV, internet modem, and charging stations


• Microwave and coffee maker


• A few outlets for essentials

A 5kW unit limits you to:

• Furnace blower only (not electric backup heat)


• Refrigerator OR freezer (not both simultaneously)


• Minimal lighting


• Very selective appliance use

New Brunswick-specific considerations make the larger unit even more valuable. Our ice storms can knock out power for days, and rural areas often lose power longer than urban centers like Moncton or Fredericton. If you're on a well, that water pump alone can use 1-2kW when starting up. Many NB homes also rely on electric backup heat when their oil or propane furnace runs, which requires significant power.

Cost difference between 5kW and 10kW portable units is typically only $800-1,500, but the functionality difference is substantial. You'll also need a proper transfer switch installation by a licensed electrician (TSANB permit required) - budget $1,200-2,000 for professional installation of either size.

Safety reminder: Never run a portable generator inside or in an attached garage - carbon monoxide kills. Keep it at least 20 feet from windows and doors, and ensure your electrician installs a proper transfer switch to prevent backfeeding into NB Power lines.

Need help finding an electrician for transfer switch installation? New Brunswick Electrical can match you with local professionals who handle generator connections throughout the province.