Backup NorthBackup power for Canadian homes, explained plainly
Storms, ice, wildfire smoke and winter cold snaps all knock the power out. This guide helps you work out what you actually need to keep running, and what it will take, before you spend a dollar.
Outage sizing calculator
Pick what you want to keep on and for how long. Get a battery size and an output (watts) target.
Compare power stations
Ten popular models side by side, with what the numbers mean.
Power station, generator or home battery?
Costs, noise, fuel and safety, compared honestly.
Whole-home batteries
When a wall-mounted battery makes sense, and what installers ask about.
Will it run my furnace?
Furnace blowers, sump pumps, fridges, CPAP machines and well pumps.
BC, Ontario and Alberta
Outage maps, rebates and what's different in each province.
Cottage and off-grid
Solar plus battery for cabins, with realistic winter numbers.
Winter battery care
Why lithium batteries shouldn't be charged below freezing.
Outage checklist
A simple list to get ready before the next storm.
Three questions to answer first
- What must stay on? Write down the essentials: fridge, freezer, internet, a few lights, phones, medical devices, a furnace blower or sump pump.
- For how long? Most outages in Canada are a few hours. Big storms can mean several days, and rural lines often take longest to restore.
- Can it plug in, or is it hardwired? Fridges and modems plug into an outlet. Furnaces, well pumps and many sump pumps are hardwired or 240-volt, and need an electrician-installed connection to run from backup power.
Once you have those answers, the calculator does the arithmetic.
How this guide is written
We aren't owned by any brand. Specifications come from manufacturers' published spec sheets, and rebate details come from the program pages themselves, with links so you can check them. We say plainly when something is expensive, slow or not worth it. Read how we work and make money.