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Backup power in Kitchener–Waterloo

Electricians for generators and transfer switches.

13 pros in Kitchener–Waterloo

Waterloo Region has had its power cut by ice more than once. In the December 2013 ice storm, more than 50,000 hydro customers lost power. In the 2016 ice storm, about 31,000 were out at the peak, spread across Cambridge and North Dumfries, Kitchener and Wilmot, and Waterloo, Wellesley and Woolwich. For a household in Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo or the townships around them, a standby generator is a response to outages that have happened here and can happen again. When you hire, the key point is the connection to your home's wiring. A standby generator permanently connected to the house must have a transfer device, which stops generator power flowing back into the utility system. A notification of work must also be filed with ESA before the unit is connected. Before you hire, ask who will install the transfer device, who files the notification, and whether the quote lists both as part of the job. Get that in writing before work starts.

Source: CBC News (source, opens in a new tab)

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Before you hire

  1. A generator wired into your home needs an approved transfer switch, fitted under a permit, so it can’t feed power back into the lines. Plan it before you buy.

    Source: bchydro.com (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Kitchener–Waterloo

Do I need a transfer switch with a standby generator in Ontario?

Yes. A standby generator permanently connected to your home's wiring must have a transfer device. It stops generator power flowing back into the utility system, which protects line crews and neighbours. Ask any installer to name the transfer device in the quote and to explain how it connects to your panel. Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (source, opens in a new tab)

Who files the notification of work for a generator connection?

A notification of work must be filed with ESA to connect a generator permanently to the home's electrical system. Ask the contractor before signing whether they file it and when. Put the answer in the written quote so it is clear who is responsible for it. Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a generator installation quote include?

A good quote names the generator and the transfer device, describes the wiring and fuel connection, and says who handles permits and notifications. It should also state the work schedule, what happens if the scope changes, and the warranty terms. Ask for the same details from each contractor so the quotes can be compared fairly.

Why do Waterloo Region homes consider backup power?

Ice storms have caused large outages here. More than 50,000 hydro customers lost power in December 2013, and about 31,000 were out at the peak of the 2016 ice storm. Those events are a reason many households ask about standby generators and how they are connected to the home. CBC News (source, opens in a new tab)

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