BC autumn windstorms knock out power across Burnaby every year. For most homes the outage is an inconvenience, but for homes with critical equipment (sump pumps in flood-prone basements, medical equipment, home offices, full-time-occupied businesses) a backup generator is essential infrastructure, not a luxury.
We install whole-home standby generators (Generac Guardian, Kohler RESAL, Cummins QuietConnect) that detect a power outage, automatically start within 10 seconds, and transfer your home's critical loads to generator power. When utility returns, the generator transfers back and shuts down automatically.
Every install includes a Technical Safety BC gas permit (most generators are natural gas), a City of Burnaby electrical permit, automatic transfer switch wiring, and integration with your existing service panel. Standby generators that interconnect with utility power must be inspected by Technical Safety BC.
What's Included
Whole-home standby generators
Generac, Kohler, Cummins units sized 14–22 kW for most Burnaby homes. Automatic transfer, weekly self-test.
Partial / essentials-only generators
Smaller units (8–12 kW) backing up only critical loads — sump pump, fridge, furnace, key outlets. Cheaper, faster install.
Automatic transfer switches
Whole-house ATS or load-shedding ATS for partial backup. Smart load management for limited generator capacity.
Natural gas line installation
Gas line sizing and routing from meter to generator. Most generators run on natural gas — no fuel storage required.
Concrete pad & enclosure
Code-compliant pad placement, setbacks from windows/doors, sound-attenuated enclosures where needed.
Permits & inspection
Technical Safety BC gas permit + City of Burnaby electrical permit + final inspection — all included.
Where Burnaby Homes Need Generator Backup
Burnaby Mountain and the SFU/UniverCity area sit at elevation and lose power more often than valley floor neighborhoods. Multi-day outages during fall windstorms are not unusual. Homes here with finished basements, sump pumps, and remote work often justify a whole-home standby generator.
Big Bend and Riverway homes on Fraser floodplain rely on sump pumps to keep basements dry. A sump pump without backup power during a power outage caused by the same storm that's flooding your basement is a recipe for serious water damage. A small generator dedicated to sump pumping is one of the highest-ROI installs in this part of Burnaby.
Capitol Hill and Burnaby Heights heritage homes often have aging electrical service that gets prioritized last during BC Hydro restoration. Homes with home-based businesses or remote-work setups often install standby generators to maintain operations through the multi-day outages we see periodically.
Burnaby Generator Installation — What It Costs
Installed prices including unit, automatic transfer switch, gas line, electrical work, pad, and permits.
- Essentials-only generator (8–12 kW)$7,500–$11,500
- Whole-home standby (14–18 kW)$11,500–$16,500
- Whole-home standby (20–22 kW)$14,500–$19,500
- Smart load-shedding ATS upgrade+$1,400–$2,200
- Annual maintenance contract$280–$420/yr
What Burnaby Homeowners Say
“Basement flooded twice last fall on Capitol Hill. They installed a primary sump plus a battery backup and re-routed the perimeter discharge. Dry through the worst week of November rain.”
“Old electrical panel was a Federal Pacific — insurance was about to refuse renewal. They upgraded to a 200A panel in one day, pulled the permit, and passed inspection first try.”
“Got a 240V Level 2 charger installed for our EV. They confirmed the panel had headroom, ran the conduit cleanly through the garage, and pulled the City of Burnaby electrical permit. Quote was honest, no add-ons at the end.”
Other Burnaby Electrical Services
We handle the full electrical silo for Burnaby homes — every service below is from the same in-house team, dispatched from Coquitlam.
Burnaby Electrical FAQs
The questions Burnaby homeowners ask us most about this service.
What size generator do I need for my Burnaby home?
How long does generator installation take in Burnaby?
Will a generator be loud?
Do I need a permit for generator installation in Burnaby?
What does generator maintenance cost?
Can I use a portable generator instead of a standby?
Stay Powered Through Burnaby Storm Season.
Whole-home or essentials-only — sized properly, permitted, maintained.
- Response within 1 hour — a real human answers, not a call center.
- Same rates 24/7 — no overtime, weekend, or holiday surcharges.
- Licensed, insured, permitted — Red Seal gas fitters, FSR electricians, $5M coverage.
- Workmanship warranty — 1-year labor warranty plus full manufacturer parts coverage.