Why GTA homeowners add a generator
Ice storms, summer thunderstorms and windstorms have knocked out power for days in parts of the GTA. If your basement relies on a sump pump, or someone at home relies on medical equipment, backup power stops being a luxury.
- Load assessment and generator sizing
- Automatic transfer switch (whole-home or essential loads)
- Concrete or composite pad and placement to code clearances
- Gas line coordination with a licensed gas fitter
- Portable generator inlets and interlock kits
- Maintenance and annual service
Whole-home or essential circuits?
A whole-home system with a load-managing transfer switch keeps everything running. An essential-circuits system backs up only the critical loads — furnace, sump pump, fridge, some lights and receptacles — with a smaller, cheaper generator. We'll show you both on paper.
Portable generator option
A properly installed inlet and interlock lets you safely power your panel from a portable generator — never through a dryer receptacle or extension cord back-feed, which can injure utility workers. It's an affordable middle ground.
What it costs
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Generator inlet + interlock for a portable unit | $900 – $1,800 |
| Essential-circuits standby (approx. 10–14 kW) | $13,000 – $18,000 |
| Whole-home standby (approx. 18–26 kW) | $17,000 – $26,000 |
Generator installation by city
Toronto · Etobicoke · North York · Scarborough · East York · Mississauga · Brampton · Vaughan · Thornhill · Markham · Richmond Hill · Aurora · Newmarket · Pickering · Ajax · Whitby · Oshawa · Oakville · Burlington · Milton
Questions
What size generator do I need for my house?
It depends on what you want to run. Essential circuits (furnace, sump pump, fridge, lights) usually need 10–14 kW; whole-home backup with central air typically needs 18–26 kW. We size it from a load assessment.
Is it safe to plug a portable generator into my house?
Only through a proper inlet and transfer switch or interlock. Back-feeding through a receptacle is illegal and can electrocute line workers. We install inlets that make it safe.
Do standby generators need maintenance?
Yes — an annual service (oil, filters, battery, transfer test) keeps them reliable. Most units also run a short self-test weekly.
