Generators

Propane means power anywhere, anytime

Access to an independent, uninterrupted power source can be crucial to your family’s safety during an outage. With power outages becoming more frequent, consider protecting yourself from the financial and emotional toll a power outage can place on your family and/or business by installing a generator.

Propane generators, whether standby or portable, can prevent interruptions when operating electrical installations, ventilation systems, lighting or any type of equipment requiring an electric current.

Propane benefits

Propane is one of the best low-carbon energy sources for backup generators because it does not degrade over time; it can be stored for a long time without losing its properties. Propane provides an indisputable advantage for backup diesel or gasoline generators that operate sporadically.

Propane generator manufacturers offer many options regarding capacity and electrical voltage. Residential generators range from 5 kW to 175 kW and can be configured as 120-volt and 240-volt three-phase electrical installations.

Standby generators

Standby generators are permanently installed outside and wired directly to your electrical system. They are stand-alone systems that automatically turn on when a power outage is detected and stop once the power returns. These systems require very little maintenance, are extremely durable and use your home’s existing bulk propane tank or a separate tank.

Portable generators

Portable generators keep your most essential items running in a power outage. They are less expensive to purchase than standby generators and can be hooked up at any time, even during an outage. These units work through the flip of a switch or they can deliver power to your electrical panel with the installation of a manual transfer switch. These units use portable propane cylinders.

Purchasing a propane generator – what to consider

  • Determine the size of the generator you will need. For example, you may not need to power your entire house but only essential items such as your furnace and/or fridge.
  • If you purchase a standby generator, you will need to contact a certified gas technician to install it (as per Canada’s code requirements CSA 149.2 clause 4.4.2).
  • Identify if you need to rent or purchase cylinders or a tank (note that renting tanks may not be an option). Keep in mind that where you purchase your cylinders/tank may not supply the propane.
  • Identify a propane supplier to fill your propane tanks.

Hybrid Systems

Propane can also be used in hybrid systems as a backup fuel for one or more sources of distributed energy – solar panels, wind turbines, battery energy storage systems and generators – to create a reliable and resilient energy source. Propane provides additional power when renewable energy sources are not able to perform.

Autonomy

Propane generators are ideal for homes located outside of large residential areas served by an electrical grid. The versatility and portability of propane provide significant savings compared to the cost of installing natural gas delivery systems and renewable energy applications. It is a vital source of energy in all remote areas and locations where delivering traditional energies can be complex.

Propane Safety

The health and safety of customers and employees are vital to the propane industry. Whether you are a first-time customer or a veteran in the propane workforce, this section offers a wide array of valuable information on the safe usage and storage of propane.

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It is illegal by Canadian law to refill cylinders without proper training!

Refillable one-pound cylinder kits manufactured to specification TC-39M, and aerosol containers are being sold in Canada.

The kits allow consumers to illegally refill their cylinders and come with a stand for a home barbecue 20 lb cylinder and connectors.

Learn more