Ottawa has experienced an exceptionally cold winter this season - with record-breaking low temperatures and prolonged cold snaps that have affected daily life across the city. As the mercury dips and wind chills bite, keeping safe and managing how we use energy at home becomes more important than ever. At Hydro Ottawa, we’re here to support you with practical tips that help you stay warm, manage your energy with care, and protect your family and home during extreme cold conditions.
Stay safe first - Weather preparedness in Ottawa
Extreme cold can create hazards beyond just discomfort. Weather conditions like heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerous wind chills can impact travel, electrical infrastructure and even personal health. Local authorities encourage residents to:
- Monitor weather alerts through WeatherCAN and local channels.
- Build an emergency kit with essentials like non-perishable food, blankets, and phone chargers. Review our “Ultimate emergency kit checklist” here.
- Check in on neighbours, especially seniors or those with mobility challenges.
- Wear layers and stay indoors where possible during extreme cold periods.
Being prepared not only keeps you safe - it also gives you peace of mind if conditions deteriorate quickly.
Energy management tips for cold weather
When winter power demand spikes - particularly during the coldest parts of the day - being energy conscious helps both reliability and your hydro bill. Hydro Ottawa offers 65 ways to manage energy use within your home, including many focused on heating efficiently and safely.
Here’s what you can do now:
Smart heating tips
- Pre-heat your home before cold peaks: If a winter storm or extreme cold event is forecasted, consider setting your thermostat 1-2 degrees Celsius higher than usual before the storm hits. This gives your home a thermal advantage and helps maintain warmth longer if you lose power. This isn’t just a comfort tip - it’s smart energy management, especially during critical demand periods.
- Lower thermostat at night or when away: Dropping your temperature by just 2-3 degrees when you’re asleep or away from your home can reduce overall energy use while still keeping you comfortable.
- Keep air vents clear to ensure your heated air flows efficiently throughout your home.
- Seal drafts and weather-strip windows and doors to trap heat inside where it belongs.
- Clean or replace furnace filters so your heating system runs efficiently.
These energy management steps help you stay comfortable during the coldest days while also reducing unnecessary electricity use.
Power outages and cold weather: What you should know
Severe weather, such as freezing rain or ice build-up, can increase the risk of power outages. Hydro Ottawa crews are trained to work safely in winter conditions, but safety for you and your neighbours comes first:
- Stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and report them immediately.
- Sign up for outage alerts via MyAccount to get updates and restoration estimates.
- If a power outage occurs in extreme cold, stay in your home as long as it’s safe and you have heat, food, and water available. Ottawa emergency warming centres may be opened during extended outages.
And remember: during restoration, avoid turning on all major appliances at once - stagger their use to help the system stabilize once the power comes back on.
Safety inside your home during winter outages
Should an outage occur:
- Use blankets, layers and insulated bedding to retain body heat.
- Never use generators, grills or propane heaters indoors - they pose carbon monoxide risks.
- Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries - never rely on candles as a primary light source.
Being equipped and informed ensures that you and your family stay safe and warm, even during challenges.
Small habits for big savings
In addition to heating strategies, consider everyday energy management changes such as:
- Using LED lighting
- Turning off unused electronics (or using smart power bars)
- Running major appliances during off-peak hours
These add up to meaningful savings and help smooth demand on the grid, especially when temperatures plummet.
Hydro Ottawa is here for you
Winter in Ottawa can be beautiful - but it can also be extreme. By combining solid preparedness, smart energy management and safety awareness, residents can face the cold with confidence. Stay warm, stay safe, and let us know how we can support your energy goals this season.
