A battery power station can run indoors, silently, next to the fridge or the sump pit, but only for as long as its battery holds: about 3,036 Wh for one ice-storm day without the furnace. A fuel generator runs as long as you feed it, but only outdoors, at least 6 metres from the house.
Fuel generators stay outside. Health Canada: "Do not use a fuel burning generator indoors or in your garage or shed" and "Operate it at least 6 metres (20 feet) from buildings and direct the exhaust away from open windows and doors". An automatic CO shut-off "does not replace the need for carbon monoxide alarms in your home" (Health Canada, Carbon monoxide: Preventing exposure). A battery power station has no exhaust and can sit indoors; follow its manual for ventilation and placement.
Side by side
| Battery power station | Fuel generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Indoors (no exhaust) | Outdoors only, 6 m or more from buildings (Health Canada) |
| How long | Until the battery is empty: 128 Wh to 5,040 Wh in our list | As long as there is fuel |
| Recharging | Wall outlet, solar, car, or a generator outdoors; charging ranges published from 0°C | Refuelling outdoors |
| Furnace, well pump, panel | Through an approved transfer device, licensed electrician | Same rule (ESA: transfer device, notification, licensed contractor) |
| Switchover | Many publish a UPS mode, 10 to 20 ms (check the page) | Manual start, then transfer |
How big a station replaces a day of generator
For the essentials of an ice-storm day (3,036 Wh), the cheapest station that covers it at 85% with a published surge rating was the EcoFlow DELTA Pro at CA$1,999 on November 14, 2026. With the furnace blower 8 hours on top (6,092 Wh), no single station in our list is enough: that is where a generator outdoors, solar, or an expansion battery comes in.
Days of backup for each station: what size for an ice storm. Your own list: What will it run, and for how long. Every model: power station comparison for Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a generator in the garage with the door open?
No. Health Canada: "Do not use a fuel burning generator indoors or in your garage or shed", and ESA adds that "Fans or open windows and doors won't provide enough fresh air to keep you and your family safe."
Can a power station run as long as a generator?
Only as long as its battery lasts, unless you recharge it from solar panels or from a generator running outdoors. A generator runs as long as it has fuel. For a multi-day ice storm, many households combine the two.
Do both need an electrician to power the furnace?
Yes. Anything wired into the house, a furnace included, is fed through an approved transfer device installed by a licensed electrical contractor, whether the source is a generator or a station.