Backup Generator Installation Across Ontario

Power stays on. No matter what the grid does.

Ontario experiences more power outages per year than most Canadian provinces.

Generator hookup, transfer switch installation, and standby generator wiring for homes and businesses across Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Kitchener, Brantford, St. Catharines, and all of Southwestern Ontario. Licensed, ESA-compliant, and done right the first time.

ECRA/ESA# 7017881

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650+ Outages per year

Ontario Hydro One service territory averages

2-72 Hours Typical outage duration

Severe weather events can last days

$5,000+ Average loss per event

Spoiled food, burst pipes, lost business

10 Second Standby switchover

Automatic transfer – no action needed from you

Our Generator Services

Everything from hookup to full standby installation.

Whether you already own a portable generator that needs a safe legal connection, or you’re ready to invest in a whole-home standby system that kicks on automatically – we handle the full electrical scope. Every installation is ESA-permitted and inspected.

Standby Generator Hookup

Electrical connection of a permanently installed standby generator (natural gas or propane) to your home or facility’s main panel via an automatic transfer switch. Includes load assessment, circuit coordination, and full ESA inspection.

Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Installation

An ATS detects a power outage and automatically switches your property to generator power within seconds – no manual intervention. We size, source, and install the right ATS for your panel and generator capacity.

Manual Transfer Switch Installation

A more affordable option for portable generators. We install a manual transfer switch (interlock kit or dedicated sub-panel) so you can safely connect your portable generator to your home’s circuits without backfeed risk.

Generator Inlet & Power Inlet Box

We install a weatherproof exterior inlet receptacle (twist-lock or NEMA L14-30/L14-50) so your portable generator connects cleanly and safely to your home – no extension cords running through doorways.

Commercial & Industrial Generator Wiring

Large-scale generator installation for commercial properties, industrial facilities, data rooms, and critical infrastructure. We design the distribution system, source the appropriate ATS, and coordinate the full installation.

Load Calculation & Panel Assessment

Before recommending a generator size, we perform a proper load calculation of your essential circuits. This ensures you’re not oversizing (wasted cost) or undersizing (overloaded generator) for your actual needs.

Panel Upgrades for Generator Integration

Older or undersized panels sometimes need upgrading to properly integrate a generator and transfer switch. We handle this as part of the same project for a clean, code-compliant installation.

Generator Electrical Inspection & Testing

We inspect and test existing generator installations – including older or DIY hookups – to verify they’re safe, ESA-compliant, and functioning correctly before you need to depend on them.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Electrical-side maintenance and fault diagnosis for existing generator systems. Transfer switch testing, connection checks, breaker verification, and ATS exercise cycle confirmation.

Generator Types

Portable, standby, or whole-home – which is right for you?

The right generator depends on your budget, how long outages typically last in your area, what you need to power, and how hands-on you want to be when the lights go out. Here’s an honest comparison.

Portable Generator

Manual – you pull it out and start it

Unit Cost: $800–$3,000

Fuel: Gasoline / propane

Switchover time: Manual — minutes

Works unattended? No

Whole-home coverage: Partial (essentials)

ESA hookup required? Yes – for safe use

Best for: Short outages, budget-conscious owners

Standby Generator - RECOMMENDED

Automatic — starts itself in seconds

Unit Cost: $5,000-$25,000+

Fuel: Natural gas or propane

Switchover time: ~10 seconds

Works unattended? Yes – fully automatic

Whole-home coverage: Yes (sized correctly)

ESA hookup required? Yes – mandatory

Best for: Families, home-based work, medical equipment

Battery Backup (UPS)

Instant — no fuel, no exhaust

Unit Cost: $3,000–$15,000+

Fuel: Electricity (grid/solar)

Switchover time: Instant (milliseconds)

Works unattended? Yes

Whole-home coverage: Limited by capacity

ESA hookup required? Yes

Best for: Short outages, solar pairing, quiet operation

Not sure which option fits your situation?

Call us at (905) 902-8784 and we’ll walk through your home’s electrical setup, your priorities, and your budget to recommend the right path – no obligation. If a portable generator with a proper transfer switch is all you need, that’s what we’ll tell you.

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The Critical Component

Transfer switches — the part that makes it safe and legal.

A transfer switch is mandatory under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code for any generator connected to your home or building’s electrical system. It prevents dangerous backfeed into utility lines – protecting utility workers and your own equipment. We install both types.

Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet (“backfeeding”).

This is illegal, immediately dangerous, and can electrocute utility workers restoring power on the line. It also voids your insurance and exposes you to serious liability. A proper transfer switch is the only safe and legal way to connect a generator to your home’s wiring.

Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)

Recommended for standby

Monitors utility power continuously. The moment it detects an outage, it signals the generator to start and transfers your circuits to generator power – automatically, within 10-30 seconds. When utility power returns, it transfers back and shuts down the generator. You never have to do a thing.

Fully automatic – works while you sleep or are away from home
No manual steps during an outage
Required for standby generator installations
Available in whole-home or essential-circuits-only configurations
Modern units include self-test cycles and remote monitoring

Manual Transfer Switch / Interlock Kit

Standard for portable

A manual interlock kit (fitted to your existing panel) or dedicated generator sub-panel prevents backfeed by physically ensuring the utility and generator breakers can never be on at the same time. You still need to manually start your generator and flip the breaker – but the connection is safe, legal, and ESA-approved.

More affordable than an ATS – ideal for portable generators
Panel-specific interlock kits for most major panel brands
ESA-compliant when properly installed
Can select which circuits receive generator power
Upgrade path to ATS available later if needed

How It Works

From quote to protected home in five steps.

A clean, transparent process with no surprises. Here’s exactly what working with ACE on a generator installation looks like.

1. Free site assessment

We assess your panel, load requirements, preferred generator location, and transfer switch options. You leave with a clear recommendation and all-in quote.

2. ESA permit

We apply for the required ESA permit before installation begins. We handle all paperwork – you don’t touch any of the admin.

3. Generator placement

You coordinate generator delivery and placement with the manufacturer or your propane/gas provider. We advise on clearance, pad, and siting requirements.

4. Electrical installation

We install the transfer switch, run all conduit and wiring, connect the generator, commission the system, and perform a full functional test – including a simulated outage.

5. ESA inspection

The ESA inspector signs off on the installation. You receive your approval certificate and the confidence that your system is properly installed and code-compliant.

We install and wire all major brands.

We handle the complete electrical scope – transfer switch, wiring, and hookup – for any generator brand. We don’t sell generators, so our advice on what to buy is unbiased.

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Common Questions

Generator installation your questions answered.

Still have questions? Call us at (905) 902-8784 – we’re happy to talk through your situation before you commit to anything.

How much does generator installation cost in Hamilton?

The electrical portion of a generator installation varies significantly based on the type of system. A portable generator hookup with a manual interlock kit typically runs $500–$1,500 including ESA permit. An automatic transfer switch installation for a standby generator typically runs $1,600–$4,000+ depending on your panel, the ATS capacity, and the complexity of the wiring run.

These figures cover the electrical installation only – generator unit cost, gas line connection (handled by your gas utility or plumber), and concrete pad (if required) are separate. We provide a firm, all-inclusive quote for the electrical scope after a free site assessment.

Do I need a permit to connect a generator to my home in Ontario?

Yes. Any permanent electrical connection between a generator and your home’s wiring requires an ESA permit and inspection in Ontario. This applies to both standby generator installations and portable generator hookups via transfer switch or interlock kit. Running a generator with a proper transfer switch is not just a code requirement – it’s what separates a safe installation from a dangerous one. We apply for the ESA permit and coordinate the inspection as part of every job.

Can I connect my portable generator with an extension cord?

You can run individual appliances on extension cords from a portable generator that is kept outside, well away from windows and doors. This is safe for a few devices but impractical for whole-home use and doesn’t power hardwired equipment like your furnace, sump pump, or well pump. What you cannot legally or safely do is plug a generator into a wall outlet (“backfeeding”) – this is a serious electrocution hazard for utility workers and is illegal in Ontario. A proper interlock kit or transfer switch, installed by a licensed electrician, is the right solution.

What's the difference between a whole-home standby and an essentials-only system?

A whole-home standby system is sized and wired to carry the entire load of your house – every circuit, appliance, and system operates normally during an outage, exactly as they do on grid power. This requires a larger generator (typically 20–22kW+) and a higher installation cost. An essentials-only system uses a smaller generator (10–14kW) and an ATS or manual transfer switch that connects only your designated critical circuits – furnace, fridge, sump pump, well pump, lights, and a few outlets. Everything else stays off. This is the more common choice for residential installations and typically offers the best balance of cost and protection.

How long does generator installation take?

A portable generator interlock kit installation typically takes 3–5 hours. A full standby generator ATS installation with wiring is typically a full day’s work – sometimes two days for complex installations or those involving panel upgrades. We always give you a realistic timeline when quoting and stick to it. We won’t leave you mid-project.

Do you sell generators, or just install them?

We focus on the electrical installation – the transfer switch, wiring, panel connections, ESA permit, and commissioning. We don’t sell generators directly, which means our advice on what unit to buy is completely unbiased. We’ll advise you on generator sizing, fuel type (natural gas vs propane), and specific models that work well with the transfer switch we recommend for your panel. You purchase the generator from a dealer or manufacturer, we handle everything electrical.

What maintenance does a standby generator electrical system need?

The generator unit itself (oil, air filter, spark plugs) is maintained by the generator manufacturer’s recommended service schedule – typically annually. Most modern standby generators have a built-in weekly self-test cycle that exercises the engine automatically. On the electrical side, we recommend an annual inspection of the transfer switch, wiring connections, and ATS operation every 2–3 years. We also recommend testing the full system (simulated outage) annually to verify the ATS switches correctly and the generator actually powers your circuits as intended. We can handle this inspection and testing for existing systems.

I have an existing generator installation — can you inspect it?

Yes. We inspect and test existing generator electrical installations – including systems installed by previous homeowners, systems that haven’t been used in years, or DIY hookups that may not be code-compliant. An inspection covers the transfer switch or interlock, wiring condition, panel connections, breaker ratings, and a functional test. If we find issues, we’ll explain them clearly and quote any remediation work separately – no pressure.

Where We Work

Covering Southwestern Ontario.

We service the full region between Mississauga, Kitchener, Brantford, and St. Catharine’s – including Hamilton and all communities in between. If you’re in Southwestern Ontario, there’s a good chance we come to you.

26+ cities and communities served

Hamilton Mississauga Kitchener Brantford St. Catharines Burlington Oakville Milton Halton Hills Cambridge Waterloo Guelph Puslinch Caledonia Grimsby Beamsville Smithville Lincoln Niagara Falls Ancaster Dundas Waterdown Flamborough Stoney Creek Glanbrook

Stop hoping the power stays on. Make sure it does.

Free site assessment, upfront quote, ESA permit handled, and a licensed installation you can actually depend on. Hamilton and all of Southwestern Ontario. ECRA/ESA# 7017881.

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