Power outages in the Okanagan are not a theoretical problem. Wildfires, windstorms, ice events, and utility grid issues have left homes in Kelowna and surrounding areas without power for hours and sometimes days. For most people, a short outage is an inconvenience. For some, it’s a serious problem.
This post is a plain-language breakdown of what backup generator options look like for residential homes in the Okanagan, what the installation involves, and how to figure out whether it makes sense for your situation.
The Two Main Options: Standby vs. Portable
Standby Generators
A standby generator is a permanently installed unit, typically fuelled by natural gas or propane, that sits outside your home on a concrete pad. It connects to your home’s electrical system through a transfer switch and starts automatically within seconds of a power outage, without any action on your part.
Standby units are sized to run either your whole home or a selected set of critical circuits, and they can run as long as fuel is available. For homes on natural gas, that is effectively unlimited. For propane, it depends on your tank size.
Portable Generators
A portable generator is a wheeled unit you start manually and connect to your home through a transfer switch or a generator-rated inlet. They run on gasoline or propane and require you to be home and prepared when an outage happens.
Portable units are considerably less expensive upfront. The tradeoff is manual operation, fuel storage, and the fact that they do nothing if you’re away when the power goes out. They also produce exhaust and must be run outdoors, a safe distance from the home.
The Transfer Switch: The Part That Makes It Safe
Regardless of which type of generator you choose, a proper transfer switch is not optional in BC. A transfer switch disconnects your home from the utility grid before the generator connects. This is critical for two reasons:
- Without a transfer switch, a generator can back-feed power into the utility lines, creating a lethal hazard for FortisBC crews working to restore power.
- A transfer switch also protects your generator and your appliances from damage when utility power returns.
Manual transfer switches use a physical interlock or a separate subpanel you switch over manually. Automatic transfer switches (ATS) are standard with standby generators and handle the switchover without any input.
In BC, the installation of a transfer switch and any generator wiring requires a permit and inspection. This is the electrical portion of the job and it’s what Kemp Co Electric handles.
What Circuits Should You Back Up?
For most homeowners in the Okanagan, the goal isn’t to power the whole house. It’s to keep the essentials running. A partial-home backup system is significantly less expensive and still covers the things that matter most during a multi-day outage:
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Furnace or heat pump (the blower motor at minimum)
- One or two lighting circuits
- A phone charging outlet
- Sump pump if applicable
- Medical equipment if relevant
If you have a well pump, that changes the calculation considerably, as well pumps are 240V and high-draw. Kyle will do a load calculation at the site visit to match a generator and transfer switch configuration to your specific priorities.
Generator Installation in Kelowna: What to Expect
For a standby generator, the installation involves a licensed electrician (the electrical connections and permit), a gas fitter (the fuel line connection), and a concrete pad. Kyle coordinates the electrical side and can point you toward the right trades for the rest.
For a portable generator hookup, it’s a simpler job: a generator inlet installed on the exterior of your home, wired back to a transfer switch at the panel. Most of these can be done in a day.
Either way, the permit is pulled before work starts, and the BCSA inspection happens before the system is commissioned.
Thinking about backup power before the next wildfire or storm season?
Kemp Co Electric serves Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and the surrounding Okanagan Valley. When you reach out, you’re talking directly to Kyle, the person who will actually do the work.
Get in touch for a site visit and a no-surprise quote. Permits and inspections are included.
KempCoElectric.ca | Kelowna, BC | Licensed, Insured, Red Seal
