What are the best options for backup power during a New Brunswick power outage?

Best Backup Power Options for New Brunswick Power Outages

New Brunswick experiences some of the most frequent and prolonged power outages in Canada. The January 2017 ice storm left parts of the province without power for up to 10 days. Post-tropical storm Fiona in 2022 knocked out power to over 100,000 NB Power customers. And every winter, nor'easters and ice loading on the province's largely overhead distribution grid cause outages lasting hours to days. Having a backup power plan is not a luxury in New Brunswick — it is a practical necessity.

Option 1: Portable Generator ($500 - $3,000)

This is the most common backup power solution in New Brunswick and the most affordable entry point. A portable gas or dual-fuel generator powers essential circuits through extension cords or, ideally, through a transfer switch.

• 3,500 - 5,000 watt portable: Powers lights, fridge, phone chargers, sump pump, and a few small appliances. Costs $500-$1,200 at Home Depot Moncton, Kent Building Supplies, or Princess Auto. Runs 8-12 hours on a tank of gas
• 7,500 - 10,000 watt portable: Can also power a well pump, freezer, and microwave simultaneously. Costs $1,200-$3,000. Uses 3-5 litres of gas per hour at full load

Critical safety requirement: Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows. Carbon monoxide from generators kills multiple Canadians every year. Place the generator at least 6 metres from any window or door.

Transfer switch ($500-$800 installed by a licensed electrician): Connects the generator to your electrical panel legally and safely. Without one, you are either running extension cords (limited and inconvenient) or backfeeding through a dryer outlet (illegal, violates CEC, and can electrocute NB Power line workers restoring your service). A transfer switch with 6-8 circuits covers most essential loads.

Option 2: Whole-Home Standby Generator ($5,000 - $15,000 installed)

A permanently installed standby generator starts automatically within 10-30 seconds of detecting a power outage. These run on natural gas (available in parts of Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John via Liberty Utilities/Enbridge) or propane (available province-wide).

• 11-16 kW standby (Generac, Kohler, or Briggs): Powers the entire home except possibly electric heat. Costs $5,000-$9,000 for the unit plus $2,000-$4,000 for installation including a 200A automatic transfer switch, concrete pad, gas connection, and TSANB permit
• 20-24 kW standby: Powers everything including electric heat or a heat pump. Costs $8,000-$12,000 plus $2,500-$4,500 installation

Propane consumption for a 20 kW unit at half load is roughly 10-12 litres per hour. A standard 500-gallon (1,900 litre) propane tank provides approximately 5-7 days of continuous operation. Propane delivery is widely available across New Brunswick even during storms — companies like Superior Propane and Irving Energy serve the entire province.

TSANB permit required: All standby generator installations require a permit and inspection. The electrician handling the automatic transfer switch installation typically manages the permit.

Option 3: Battery Backup System ($10,000 - $30,000)

Battery systems like the Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, or Generac PWRcell store electricity and provide seamless, silent switchover when the grid goes down.

• Single Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh): Costs $12,000-$15,000 installed. Powers essential loads (fridge, lights, Wi-Fi, sump pump, phone charging) for 8-14 hours depending on usage. Will NOT power electric heat or high-draw appliances
• Two Powerwalls (27 kWh): $22,000-$28,000 installed. Can power more of the home for a full day or essentials for 2-3 days

Battery systems pair well with solar panels, which can recharge the batteries during daytime outages — extending backup time indefinitely in theory. However, New Brunswick's winter daylight hours (8-9 hours in December) and frequent cloud cover limit solar recharging capacity during the storms that cause most outages.

Option 4: Hybrid Approach (Best for NB)

The most practical setup for New Brunswick's outage patterns combines:

A battery backup (single Powerwall or equivalent) for short outages under 12 hours — covers the frequent 1-4 hour blips that happen throughout winter. Silent, automatic, no fuel needed

A portable or standby generator for extended outages during major storms. The generator charges the battery, and the battery provides clean, steady power to the home

This hybrid approach costs $15,000-$25,000 but provides bulletproof coverage for both short flickering outages and multi-day storm events.

Comparison Summary

| Option | Cost (Installed) | Runtime | Auto Start | Noise | Maintenance |
|--------|-----------------|---------|------------|-------|-------------|
| Portable generator | $1,000 - $1,800 | 8-12 hrs/tank | No | Loud (65-75 dB) | Oil changes, fuel stabilizer |
| Standby generator | $7,000 - $15,000 | Days (with fuel) | Yes | Moderate (60-67 dB) | Annual service ($200-$300) |
| Battery (1 unit) | $12,000 - $15,000 | 8-14 hrs | Yes | Silent | Minimal (10-year warranty) |
| Hybrid (battery + gen) | $15,000 - $25,000 | Unlimited | Yes | Minimal | Annual generator service |

Includes transfer switch installation

What to Do Right Now

At minimum, every New Brunswick home should have a plan for outages over 24 hours: flashlights, a battery radio, a way to charge phones, and a way to keep pipes from freezing if you heat with electricity. If your home relies on a well pump, sump pump, or electric heat, a generator with a proper transfer switch installed by a TSANB licensed electrician should be a priority before the next storm season.

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