Two ways to keep the lights on
Most Edmonton outages are short. A few are not, and the long ones tend to arrive with a January cold snap or a summer windstorm. That is when people start asking about generators.
There are two common setups for homes. A portable generator lives in the garage and gets wheeled out when you need it. A standby generator is installed permanently outside on a pad, runs on natural gas or propane, and starts by itself when the grid drops.
Both can be safe and useful. Both must be connected through proper transfer equipment, never through a dryer plug or a cord jammed into a wall outlet. The choice comes down to how much you want backed up, who will be home to run it, and how much hands-on work you are willing to do at -30 C.
Portable generators with an inlet
A portable unit is the flexible option. You buy the generator, and a licensed (journeyperson) electrician installs a power inlet box on the outside wall and a transfer switch or listed interlock kit at your panel. During an outage you set the generator up outdoors, plug a heavy cord into the inlet, and choose which circuits to run.
- Works well for keeping the furnace, fridge, sump pump, some lights and the internet running.
- Lower upfront complexity: no gas line and no concrete pad.
- Needs fuel on hand. Gasoline goes stale and storing a lot of it is its own hazard.
- Someone has to be home, awake and able to go outside to start it.
- Cold starts can be tough. Many portables struggle in deep cold unless they are kept warm and well maintained.
Read more about the connection side in why backfeeding is dangerous.
Portable generators make carbon monoxide. Run one only outdoors, well away from doors, windows and air intakes, never in a garage, even with the door open.
Standby generators with an automatic transfer switch
A standby generator is a fixed appliance. It sits on a pad beside the house, connects to your gas supply, and pairs with an automatic transfer switch (ATS). When utility power fails, the ATS signals the generator to start, waits for it to stabilize, then moves your house over. When the grid returns, it switches back and lets the engine cool down before shutting off.
- Starts within seconds, whether you are home or away at the lake.
- Can be sized for essential circuits or the whole house.
- Runs on piped natural gas, so there is no refuelling in a storm.
- Exercises itself on a schedule so you know it is ready.
- Needs a gas permit and gas fitter as well as electrical work, and placement has to respect clearances to windows, vents, property lines and the gas meter.
Because the house switches over automatically, a standby system is the usual choice for people with medical equipment, a basement that floods without a sump pump, pets at home, or travel during winter.
Side by side
| Factor | Portable with inlet | Standby with ATS |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up | Manual, someone must be home | Automatic, within seconds |
| Fuel | Gasoline or dual-fuel, stored on site | Natural gas or propane supply |
| Coverage | Selected circuits | Essentials or whole home |
| Cold weather | Can be hard to start | Often has cold-weather kit options |
| Permits | Electrical permit for the inlet and switch | Electrical and gas permits |
| Noise | Usually louder | Enclosed, usually quieter |
Neither column says anything about price on purpose. Cost depends on generator size, how far the unit sits from the panel and gas meter, whether your gas meter can supply the extra load, and whether your electrical service needs work first.
Questions that point you to the right one
- Who will be home when the power fails? If the answer is sometimes nobody, lean toward standby.
- What must keep running? A short list (furnace, fridge, sump, a few lights) suits a portable. Air conditioning, an electric range or a well pump points toward a larger standby unit.
- How long do you expect to run it? For multi-day events, piped gas beats hauling jerry cans.
- What is your panel like? Older 60 A and 100 A services in Edmonton homes sometimes need an upgrade before any transfer equipment can be added cleanly.
- Where can it physically go? Standby units need a suitable spot with required clearances, which some infill lots make tight.
Our guide to sizing a backup generator walks through the load side in more detail.
What the installation involves
Either way, the job starts with a look at your panel and a list of the loads you care about. The electrician confirms the transfer method, pulls the electrical permit (in Edmonton, through the City; elsewhere in Alberta, through your local permit authority or an accredited agency), and coordinates any gas work with a licensed gas fitter.
Once installed, the system is inspected, tested under load, and you are shown how to operate it. For standby units, ask about a maintenance plan so the exercise cycle, battery and oil are checked before winter.
Before anyone visits, walk the house and list what you would miss most in a 12-hour winter outage. That list drives every other decision.
Common questions
Can I just plug a portable generator into a wall outlet?
No. A so-called suicide cord can energize the utility lines and injure lineworkers or neighbours, and it can damage your home's wiring. Use an inlet box with a transfer switch or listed interlock installed under permit.
Will a standby generator run my whole house?
It can if it is sized for it. Many homeowners choose an essential-circuits setup instead, or use load management modules that shed big loads like an air conditioner while the generator is running.
Do standby generators work at -30 C?
They are built for outdoor use, and cold-weather options such as battery warmers and block heaters help. Regular exercise and pre-winter maintenance matter more than anything else.
Do I need a permit for a portable generator inlet?
Yes. Installing an inlet and transfer equipment is electrical work that needs a permit under the Alberta Safety Codes Act, and in Edmonton the City issues it.
Codes and permit rules change and every building is different. For work on your system, talk to a licensed electrician and your local permit authority.