We inspect before we quote
No phone-estimate guessing – we look at the actual panel and wiring first.
Why Ottawa homes are looking at backup power
The May 2022 derecho cut power to roughly 180,000 Hydro Ottawa customers and damaged more than 400 hydro poles – more pole damage than the 1998 ice storm or the 2018 tornadoes caused. Some homes were without power for close to two weeks because of damage to their own electrical connection, not just the wider grid. Storms of that scale don't happen every year, but Ottawa has now had two grid-damaging events in recent memory, and a standby generator is the honest answer to 'what if it happens again.'
Why the transfer switch matters for generator installation
A generator is only as safe as the switch that connects it to your house. An automatic or manual transfer switch isolates your home's wiring from the utility grid before the generator powers anything – without one, a generator can backfeed power onto Hydro Ottawa's lines, which is dangerous for utility crews working to restore power and is a serious code violation. We wire every generator install through a proper transfer switch, no exceptions.
Sizing your generator installation correctly
Whole-home backup isn't always necessary or affordable. Many Ottawa homeowners size a generator to cover the essentials – fridge, sump pump, furnace or heat, and a few circuits – rather than the entire panel. We work through what you actually need to keep running during an outage before recommending a generator size.
Why choose us for generator installation
Inspection first, then a written quote
We look at the actual panel and wiring before quoting, not a phone-estimate guess – and every price is written down before work starts, no surprise line items.
ESA-notified work
We handle Electrical Safety Authority notification as part of the job when it's required.
Residential & commercial
Homes, offices, retail, and light-industrial space across Ottawa.
What to expect
Written quote, no surprises
The price is confirmed before work starts.
ESA-notified work
Handled as part of the job when it's required.
Cleaned up when we're done
We leave the site the way we found it.
Generator Installation FAQs
Do I need a whole-home generator, or can I do partial backup?
Partial backup covering essential circuits is common and less expensive than whole-home coverage. We'll go through your priorities and size accordingly.
Can I just plug a portable generator into an outlet during an outage?
Not safely, and not legally, without a transfer switch – doing so risks backfeeding power onto utility lines. A transfer switch is the safe way to connect any generator, portable or standby.
Do you sell the generator, or just install it?
We handle the electrical installation and transfer switch wiring. We can advise on sizing, but confirm with us what's included before you purchase equipment.
Is a permit required for generator installation?
Yes, generator and transfer switch installations require ESA notification, which we handle as part of the job.