Backup Generator Installation & Wiring in Ottawa

Generator installation costs depend on the type of system. A Generlink installation, which allows you to connect a portable generator to your meter base, typically runs between the amounts quoted after we assess your setup. A transfer switch installation for selected circuits costs more because it involves running new circuits and installing a subpanel. Full standby generator systems, including equipment, electrical work, gas line installation, and permitting, fall into a higher range. Older Ottawa homes in neighbourhoods like Hintonburg and Vanier sometimes need panel upgrades before adding generator circuits, which adds to the total cost. Distance from your panel to the generator connection point affects labour time and wire costs. We give you a written price after assessing the job, before any work starts.

A Generlink is a device installed between your Hydro Ottawa meter and the meter base on your house. When power goes out, you pull the meter from the base, plug it into the Generlink socket, and connect your portable generator to the Generlink inlet. The device automatically isolates your home from the grid to prevent backfeed, which protects Hydro Ottawa line workers. Your generator then powers your entire panel through the meter connection. The advantage over a transfer switch is lower installation cost and the ability to power any circuit in your home. The trade-off is that you need to manually manage what you're running to avoid overloading your generator. Generlinks work well in Ottawa's newer subdivisions like Kanata and Barrhaven where homes have 200-amp panels and modern wiring. Older homes may need panel work first.

The vast majority of electrical work does not require a permit. If one is needed for your installation, we handle the paperwork. You don't need to contact anyone or track any deadlines. Our electricians work under ECRA/ESA licence #7018741, which authorises this type of installation in Ontario. The ESA inspects generator installations after completion to confirm they meet code. We schedule the inspection and address anything flagged. Most Ottawa homeowners don't need to think about permits at all. It's part of how we manage every job from start to finish.

Essential circuits typically include the furnace, refrigerator, sump pump, and a few lights. A gas furnace draws 600 to 1,200 watts when running. A refrigerator draws 150 to 400 watts. A sump pump draws 800 to 1,200 watts. LED lights draw very little. A 7,500-watt portable generator handles these loads comfortably. If you're in an older Ottawa neighbourhood like Westboro or Centretown and you have electric baseboard heating, your requirements are much higher. A single baseboard heater can draw 1,500 watts. Heating a whole home electrically during winter requires a standby generator in the 15,000 to 20,000-watt range. We calculate your actual load based on the circuits you want to keep running and recommend a generator size from there.

A Generlink installation takes four to six hours in most Ottawa homes. We disconnect power, install the Generlink between the meter and meter base, reconnect everything, and test the system with your generator. Transfer switch installations vary based on how many circuits you're moving and where the generator will sit relative to your panel. A six-circuit transfer switch in a home where the panel is in the basement and the generator sits 30 feet away typically takes a full day. Standby generator installations take two to three days because they involve outdoor equipment installation, gas line work, electrical connections, and startup testing. Homes in older Ottawa neighbourhoods sometimes need additional prep work if the panel is undersized or the service entrance needs upgrading.

Transfer switch installation requires working inside your electrical panel, running new circuits, and ensuring proper grounding and bonding. This work must be done by a licensed electrician in Ontario. DIY installation creates serious safety risks including electrocution, fire, and backfeed that can injure Hydro Ottawa workers. ESA inspections are required for generator installations, and inspectors will fail work that wasn't completed by a licensed contractor. The liability falls on you if something goes wrong. We handle the installation, the permitting, and the inspection scheduling. The work is completed under our ECRA/ESA licence and backed by a one-year installation guarantee.

Standby generators are installed permanently on a concrete pad outside your home, wired directly into your electrical system, and fueled by natural gas or propane. They start automatically within seconds of detecting a power outage and run until power is restored. Portable generators require you to wheel them outside, connect them to a transfer switch or Generlink, start them manually, and refuel them every eight to twelve hours. Standby units cost significantly more but offer hands-free operation. This matters during Ottawa ice storms where you may lose power for days. Portable generators cost less upfront and give you flexibility to take them to a cottage or use them on a job site. Most Ottawa homeowners with gas service choose standby units for convenience. Homes without gas service typically use portable generators with Generlinks.

Standby generators should be serviced annually before winter. Service includes changing the oil, replacing the air filter, checking the battery, inspecting the fuel system, and running the unit under load to confirm it starts and operates properly. Ottawa winters are hard on outdoor equipment. Generators that sit unused for months can develop fuel system problems, battery failures, and starting issues. Annual service catches these problems before you need the generator. Portable generators need oil changes after every 50 to 100 hours of use and fuel system maintenance if they've been stored with fuel in the tank. We don't service generators, but we can connect you with technicians who handle maintenance for the units we install.