When the Grid Goes Down: A Practical Guide to Generac Standby Generators in the Yukon
Outages are inconvenient in most places. In a Yukon winter, they can become urgent fast.
A power outage is never fun—but context matters. In mild weather, an outage is candles and board games. In Yukon winter conditions, an outage can mean:
- losing heat circulation,
- frozen pipes,
- a sump pump that can’t run,
- no water if you’re on a well,
- food spoilage,
- and communications going dark.
That’s why more homeowners (and many small businesses) look beyond portable generators and consider a permanently installed standby generator—the kind that starts automatically and powers your home through an outage without you rushing outside.
Moffat Electrical Contractors are a Generac service provider in Whitehorse, offering installation and service for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Moffat Electrical Contracting
This post explains what makes standby generators different, how they work, what “sizing” really means, and what Yukon owners should consider for cold-weather reliability.
Standby vs. portable: the difference is automation and safety
Portable generators can be useful—but they demand action under stress:
- you have to be home,
- you have to start it safely,
- you have to manage cords or a connection point,
- you have to handle fueling,
- and you have to be careful about backfeeding risks.
A standby generator is designed to solve those problems:
- permanently installed outside,
- connected to a fuel source (often natural gas or propane),
- paired with an automatic transfer switch (ATS),
- and programmed to start itself when utility power fails.
How a standby generator works (in plain language)
A standby setup is basically a small, automated power system with a referee (the transfer switch) that prevents dangerous overlap.
Generac describes an ATS as the component that switches loads between utility power and generator power automatically.
Here’s the typical sequence:
- Utility power fails (voltage drops or disappears).
- The generator controller detects the outage.
- The generator starts automatically.
- The transfer switch disconnects the utility feed and connects the generator to your selected loads.
- When utility returns and stabilizes, the switch transfers the home back and the generator shuts down.
Why the transfer switch is non-negotiable
One key safety function is preventing your home from being powered by utility and generator at the same time—this protects your equipment and prevents dangerous backfeed. Generac explicitly notes that the transfer switch prevents simultaneous utility/generator power to the home.
The most important decision: what do you want to power?
Homeowners often start with: “I want the whole house.”
A better starting question is: What do you need to keep safe and functional during an outage?
Many Yukon households prioritize:
- heating system and circulation pumps
- fridge/freezer
- well pump (if applicable)
- basic lighting
- internet/communications
- a few kitchen circuits
From there, you can build toward bigger coverage (more loads, more comfort, longer duration).
A good installer will talk through:
- essential circuits vs whole-home coverage
- starting loads (motors) vs running loads
- future additions (EV charging, shop equipment, hot tub, suite)
Cold-weather readiness: the Yukon factor
Generators are engines. Engines behave differently in cold weather—especially when they’ve been sitting idle waiting for an outage.
Generac recommends cold-weather accessories in regions where temperatures regularly fall below 32°F / 0°C, and notes that extreme-cold areas with sub-zero conditions benefit from these measures.
Generac’s cold weather kit materials describe components like thermostatically controlled battery warmers and crankcase heaters to support cold starting, and recommend the kit where temperatures regularly fall below freezing.
Translated into homeowner terms: if you’re buying backup power because winter is serious, then winterizing the generator setup is part of making the investment actually reliable.
“Why is my generator starting by itself?” The weekly exercise cycle
New standby-generator owners are sometimes startled when the unit starts on a schedule—even when the power is on.
That’s not a malfunction. It’s a feature.
Generac explains that home standby generators perform scheduled exercises to test functionality and maintain readiness, including variations by model and settings.
This matters in the Yukon because a generator that never runs is a generator that may surprise you when you actually need it.
Maintenance: backup power only works if it’s maintained
A standby generator is like a fire extinguisher: you don’t want to learn it doesn’t work during the emergency.
Good ownership includes:
- confirming the unit is in AUTO mode,
- ensuring exercise runs occur and no alarms are present,
- periodic inspections (battery condition, oil, air intake clearance),
- and professional service at appropriate intervals.
This is also where working with a certified local provider helps—someone who can install it correctly and keep it reliable over time. (And again, Moffat positions themselves as accredited Generac installation technicians and service providers in Whitehorse.)
A few “myths” worth clearing up
Myth: “A generator means I can power everything, all the time.”
Reality: You size to your goals. Whole-home is possible, but essentials-first is often smarter and more cost-effective.
Myth: “Portable and standby are basically the same.”
Reality: Standby is about automatic response, safe switching, and reliability.
Myth: “I’ll just add one later.”
Reality: Planning now can save money later—especially if you’re renovating, adding a suite, or upgrading a panel.
When to call Moffat Electrical Contractors
If you’re considering a Generac standby generator in the Whitehorse area, the most valuable first step is a site-specific conversation:
- your critical loads,
- your fuel options,
- where equipment can be placed,
- and what “reliable in Yukon winter” should mean for your setup.
Moffat Electrical Contracting explicitly offer Generac installation and service in Whitehorse for residential and commercial needs.
Backup power is ultimately a business decision or a household risk-management decision: you’re buying stability when the grid can’t provide it.
