A week-long power outage in Ontario is not an exaggeration. The 2013 ice storm left hundreds of thousands of homes in the dark for days, and some went more than a week without utility power. Wind storms, freezing rain, and local transformer failures have all caused multi-day outages in Ontario. If you start planning only when the lights go out, you will already be behind. This checklist assumes a full seven days without grid power, because fuel, food, and patience all run out faster than most people expect. Before buying anything, compare options in best home backup power 2026.
Safety comes before comfort in every step of this guide. Portable generators produce carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can kill in minutes. CSA Group publishes standards for generator construction and carbon monoxide shutoff systems. Health Canada warns that CO exposure builds quickly in enclosed spaces. A week-long outage also brings food safety risks, cold stress, and medical equipment needs. You need a plan that covers both immediate survival and the slow grind of daily power management.
Your backup power choice depends on what you must keep running, not what you would like to run. A fridge may draw 100 to 800 watts depending on its defrost cycle and age. A furnace fan alone often uses 400 to 800 watts. Adding a sump pump, a medical device, or a well pump can push you into a different generator class. This article compares portable generators, power stations, and standby units.
A seven-day outage changes how you think about fuel and batteries. You will likely need 40 to 80 litres of gasoline or propane for a mid-size generator, depending on your load and runtime. You will also need a plan to recharge or refuel during the day, plus a backup plan if roads are icy or gas stations lose power too. The steps below move from assessing your load to daily operations. Work through them now, while you can still print the list, test the equipment, and stock the supplies.
What You’ll Need
- Approved fuel cans
- 12-gauge outdoor extension cord
- Carbon monoxide alarm
- Flashlights and batteries
- Battery or hand crank radio
- Three-day to seven-day food and water supply
How Do You Survive a Week-Long Power Outage?
- List your essential loads and their starting watts
Most homes do not need every light and appliance running during an outage. You need the fridge, freezer, furnace fan, sump pump, and perhaps a well pump. Write down the running watts and starting watts for each. A modern fridge may run at 100 to 200 watts but can spike to 600 when the compressor starts. A furnace fan often runs at 400 to 800 watts. A sump pump may need 750 running watts and 1,500 starting watts. A well pump can draw 1,000 running watts and 2,000 or more starting watts. These numbers matter because a generator that cannot cover the starting surge will trip or stall.
Use the load list to decide which circuits are optional. If you have a standby generator, an electrician can install a subpanel for essential loads. Ontario rules require a licensed electrical contractor to take out an Electrical Safety Authority permit for a transfer switch or generator panel. Do not attempt this wiring yourself. The goal is not to power everything. The goal is to protect your food, water systems, and medical needs for seven days.
After you list loads, calculate total running watts and the highest single starting surge. Add 20 to 25 percent as a margin. A small home may run fine on a 5,000-watt generator. A home with a well pump or electric water heater may need 7,500 watts or more. If you are unsure, our how to size a generator for your home guide walks through the math with Ontario examples. The next step helps you choose the right backup source for that number.
- Choose a generator, power station, or standby unit for the load
Once you know your load, match it to the right equipment. A portable generator offers the most running watts per dollar and can run for days if you store enough fuel. An inverter generator is quieter and cleaner for electronics, but usually costs more per watt. A portable power station is nearly silent and safe indoors, but stores only a few thousand watt-hours. A standby generator runs on natural gas or propane and starts automatically, but requires a professional installation. Our best portable generators 2026 guide covers top units for Ontario homes.
For small loads like a fridge, a CPAP, and device charging, a 2,000-watt inverter generator such as the Honda EU2200i can run 8 to 12 hours on less than 4 litres of gas. If you need to run a furnace fan, a sump pump, and some lights, a 7,500-watt dual-fuel unit like the Westinghouse WGen9500DF adds propane flexibility. For silent indoor use, a portable power station may work for shorter runs. For whole-home automatic backup, compare standby generator brands before you buy.
Do not buy a generator that barely covers your running watts. Motor-driven loads like a furnace fan or well pump need extra current for startup. Also check that the unit is certified for Canada. CSA or cUL certification matters for insurance and safety. A transfer switch or interlock kit must meet Ontario Electrical Safety Code rules. A licensed electrician will size the inlet and breaker correctly. This step leads directly to the next one: you can have the right machine, but a week-long outage succeeds or fails on your fuel supply.
- Store and plan fuel for seven full days
Fuel is the most common reason a generator plan fails. A mid-size 5,000-watt generator may burn 8 to 12 litres of gasoline in 8 hours at half load. If you run it 12 hours per day for a week, you can easily use 70 litres or more. Propane stores longer than gasoline and avoids carburetor gumming. A 20-pound propane cylinder holds roughly 430,000 BTU and may run a 5,000-watt generator for 8 to 10 hours depending on engine efficiency. Buy enough for seven days and rotate stored gasoline every three to six months.
Store fuel outside the home, never in a basement or attached garage. A detached shed or a locked, shaded area away from ignition sources is best. Use approved cans and label them. Health Canada sets residential carbon monoxide exposure limits at 10 parts per million averaged over 24 hours and 25 parts per million over 1 hour. A generator placed too close to a window can push CO indoors and exceed those limits quickly. Keep the generator at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and air intakes.
Know how to refuel safely during the week. Shut the generator down, let it cool for at least 15 minutes, and only then add fuel. Keep a funnel and a spill kit nearby. If a gas station is also without power, you may not be able to buy more fuel, so storing extra before the storm is essential. This is also why a dual-fuel generator helps: you can switch between gasoline and propane depending on what is available. For more on safe operation, review generator safety tips.
- Protect your food, water, and medications for seven days
Food safety turns into a problem after four hours in a powered-off fridge. Keep the door closed as much as possible. A full freezer can hold food safely for about 48 hours if unopened. A half-full freezer lasts roughly 24 hours. After that, you need dry ice, a generator, or a plan to cook and eat what thaws first. Check food temperatures with a thermometer. If food has been above 4 degrees Celsius for more than two hours, do not keep it.
Water is even more important than food. Store at least 4 litres of drinking water per person per day for seven days. That means 28 litres per person for the week. Add extra water for cooking, handwashing, and pets. If a water pump or municipal water system fails, bottled water or treated stored water becomes your lifeline. Do not ration water to the point of dehydration. Drink what you need and use the rest for hygiene.
Medications that need refrigeration should be stored in a cooler with ice packs or a medication fridge powered by a generator. If you rely on a CPAP or oxygen concentrator, plan its power source before you settle on a backup. A CPAP may draw 30 to 60 watts, which a portable power station can handle overnight. An oxygen concentrator can draw 300 to 600 watts and needs a larger generator or battery. List every medication and medical device in your outage plan, not just the obvious ones.
- Keep the home warm enough without creating a new hazard
Ontario outages are often worst in winter. An unheated home can drop below 18 degrees Celsius within hours depending on insulation and outside temperature. Children, older adults, and people with chronic illness are more vulnerable when indoor temperatures fall. Close off unused rooms, hang blankets over windows, and have sleeping bags or wool blankets ready. If you have a wood stove or fireplace, make sure it has been cleaned and you have dry wood.
Never use a propane camp heater, charcoal grill, or gas range to heat an indoor space. These produce high levels of carbon monoxide and can kill within hours. If you run a portable generator, it must stay outside. Do not run extension cords through windows or doors in a way that lets exhaust drift inside. For more cold weather details, see ontario ice storm power outage prep.
If your furnace is gas or propane, a generator can run the blower and controls so the furnace works. A furnace fan often needs 400 to 800 watts, plus a startup surge. Confirm the generator can handle it before the outage. If you do not have a safe heat source, plan to leave for a warming centre or stay with family before roads become dangerous. Check your municipality for outage warming locations in advance.
- Run a daily generator and power management routine
During a week-long outage, you are not just running a generator. You are managing a small power plant. Check the oil level every time you refuel, or at least every 8 hours. Most small engines burn a little oil. A dry engine seizes, and then you have no power at all. Run the generator for 2 to 3 hours in the morning, 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon, and 2 to 3 hours in the evening if you are trying to save fuel. That is enough to keep a fridge and freezer at safe temperatures.
Plug only what the generator can handle. Use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord rated for the load. For a 15-amp circuit, use a 12-gauge cord no longer than 50 feet. For a 20-amp circuit, use a 10-gauge cord for longer runs. Overloaded thin cords get hot and can start a fire. Do not daisy-chain power bars. If you have a transfer switch, run one essential circuit at a time during startup to avoid tripping.
Shut the generator down before every refuel and let it cool. A hot engine can ignite gasoline vapours. If the unit has an automatic CO shutoff, test it and do not bypass it. This daily routine also keeps you in the habit of checking fuel supply, extension cords, and exhaust position.
- Plan for sump pumps, well pumps, and communications
A week-long outage often coincides with heavy rain or ice melt, which raises the water table and makes sump pumps critical. A sump pump may activate every few minutes during a storm. If your only sump pump has no backup, a flooded basement becomes a second emergency. A generator or battery backup must cover both the running watts and the startup surge. For a basement that floods often, a dedicated battery backup sump pump is worth considering. If your water comes from a well, plan for pump power too.
Communications are survival gear. Cell towers often stay up during short outages, but a week-long event can drain local backup batteries. A hand-crank or solar radio gives you weather and emergency updates. A power station can charge phones dozens of times on one charge. For units with 1,000 watt-hours or more, see best portable power station 2026. Keep a written list of phone numbers and ask one out-of-town contact to relay messages.
If you work from home, a UPS can keep your modem and router running during short gaps. A 1,000 to 1,500 VA UPS may power a router and laptop for 30 to 60 minutes. For longer gaps, plug the UPS into the generator or power station. During a seven-day outage, you may need to move to a library, community centre, or a neighbour with power to charge devices and use the internet. Plan that trip before your batteries hit zero.
Red Flags & Warnings
- 🚨 Never run a generator inside a house, garage, crawlspace, or near an open window. Carbon monoxide is invisible and can reach lethal levels in minutes, even with doors open.
- 🚨 Do not backfeed your electrical panel by plugging a generator into a dryer outlet. Backfeeding can energize utility lines and kill a lineworker. Use an ESA approved transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
- 🚨 Refuel only after the generator has cooled for at least 15 minutes. Gasoline spilled on a hot engine can ignite and cause a fuel fire that spreads to your house.
- 🚨 Never use a propane camp stove, charcoal grill, or gas oven to heat your home. They produce high levels of carbon monoxide and do not have the safe venting needed for indoor use.
- 🚨 Do not run a generator in rain or snow without a protective canopy designed for generators. Water can enter the outlets and create a shock hazard. Keep the exhaust clear and the unit dry.
- 🚨 Do not refreeze food that has been above 4 degrees Celsius for more than two hours. Bacterial toxins can survive freezing and make you sick even after cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I safely run a portable generator during a week-long outage?
Most portable generators can run 8 to 12 hours on a full tank, but you should check the oil every 8 hours and let the engine cool before refuelling. Running continuously for days is hard on a small engine, so many owners run 3 to 4 hours at a time around fridge and furnace cycles. Shut down for 15 minutes between fuel cycles and never refuel while the unit is hot.
Will a portable power station run my refrigerator for seven days?
No, most portable power stations do not store enough energy to run a fridge for a full week. A 2,000 watt-hour station may run a 150-watt fridge for about 10 to 12 hours. You need solar panels or a generator to recharge the station daily, or you need a larger fuel-based generator.
What size generator do I need for a week-long power outage?
Most Ontario homes can stay safe with a 5,000 to 7,500 running watt portable generator if they run only the fridge, furnace fan, sump pump, and a few lights. Add the highest starting watt from your load list and leave a 20 percent margin. Homes with a well pump or electric water heater often need 7,500 watts or more.
Can I use a natural gas standby generator during a week-long winter outage?
Yes, if natural gas service continues. A standby generator can run for days or weeks with periodic oil and filter changes, but extreme cold can reduce natural gas pressure. Propane is often more reliable in rural Ontario because it is stored on site.
How long does food stay safe in a fridge or freezer during an outage?
An unopened fridge keeps food at or below 4 degrees Celsius for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds food safely for about 48 hours, while a half-full freezer lasts roughly 24 hours. After those times, use dry ice, a generator, or cook and eat the thawing food first.
Do I need a permit to install a generator transfer switch in Ontario?
Yes. The Electrical Safety Authority requires a permit and inspection for a transfer switch or generator panel. A licensed electrical contractor must do the wiring. You should never alter your electrical panel during an emergency without qualified help.
What Should You Remember?
- Know your loads: List running and starting watts for the fridge, furnace fan, sump pump, well pump, and medical devices before buying backup power.
- Size the backup correctly: Add the highest starting surge to running watts and leave a 20 percent margin so the generator does not stall.
- Store enough fuel: Plan for 8 to 12 litres of gasoline per 8 hour run and keep fuel outside in approved containers.
- Protect food and water: Store 4 litres per person per day for seven days and keep fridge and freezer doors closed.
- Respect carbon monoxide: Keep generators 20 feet from doors and windows, and never use propane heaters or grills indoors.
- Use legal connections: Only a licensed electrician should install an ESA inspected transfer switch. Never backfeed the panel.
This article is for general information only. Always follow manufacturer instructions, local electrical codes, and hire a licensed electrician for transfer switches and standby generator installation. Carbon monoxide is deadly , never run a generator indoors.
