FAQs

Clearances within our easement must be maintained. If vegetation interferes with our equipment, we may have to trim or remove it. To ensure a safe clearance, you could replant the vegetation. Always contact Ontario One Call (1-800-400-2255) before you dig and refer to Hydro Ottawa’s ‘Tree Planting Advice’ brochure.

They’re usually located within our easements or the City’s Right-of-Way (near property lines or in back/side yards). Generally, we install new equipment in the same locations as existing infrastructure.

This is a legal right that allows us to access a portion of private property to install or maintain electrical equipment. This part of the property must remain accessible and clear of obstructions.

“Right-of-Way” or “Road Right-of-Way” or “Road Allowance” is the strip of land between private property lines reserved for public use (roads, sidewalks, signs, utilities). 

See “Programs and incentives” for current offerings and links to third-party programs, including the Home Renovation Savings Program, CoolSaver, and Energy Affordability Program, as well as the City of Ottawa’s Better Homes Ottawa.

The ULO plan offers very low rates from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Charging your EV overnight lowers costs and reduces grid strain.

You can plug a Level 1 charger into a standard 120-V outlet. Level 1 chargers are convenient, but they can take more than 24 hours to fill-up your EV.

For faster charging, install a 240-V Level 2 charger, which can top-up your EV in 4-10 hours, depending on the vehicle and charger.
 

 Use tools like PlugShare, ChargeHub or Transport Canada’s station locator.

Level 1: Standard wall outlet (120V), slow charging (overnight).
Level 2: 208–240V, average, suitable for homes, workplaces, and public stations.
Level 3 (DC fast): 480V+, rapid charging for public and commercial use. 

It increases your electricity use. Track your usage in MyAccount and consider rate options like TOU or ULO, which both allow you to charge your EV at lower overnight rates.

If your installation requires changes to your home’s electrical service (e.g., capacity upgrade), your licensed electrical contractor must submit an Electrical Service Request to us before work begins.

Always hire a licensed electrical contractor. Verify they have an ESA permit before starting the installation.

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) will inspect your installation and issue a Certificate of Inspection once it meets safety standards. Use certified equipment (CSA, cUL, cETL).

Yes. Contact us before your installation, so our team can confirm if we have service capacity.

For multiple chargers or large projects, we may conduct a preliminary consultation and issue a preliminary consultation report (capacity is not reserved until you accept our Offer to Connect).

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment - this is the hardware and software that safely transfers electricity from the grid to an EV battery.

This is a feasibility report issued after you submit an EV Preliminary Consultation Information Request (EVPCIR). It outlines connection potential and available capacity.

No. Capacity is reserved only after you formally accept our Offer to Connect (OTC).

The offer to connect includes the responsibilities of both parties, estimated costs, required approvals and timelines, as well as service conditions for connecting your EVSE to Hydro Ottawa’s grid.

We make it quick and easy to become a net metering customer. When you apply, we first check to make sure there is electricity distribution capacity to connect a DER in your area. Distribution capacity is required to allow you to feed the electricity you generate back into the grid.

Next, your standard meter must be replaced with a bi-directional meter, which does two things. First, a bi-directional meter allows Hydro Ottawa to measure how much electricity was delivered to your home or business from the electricity grid. It also measures how much electricity was fed back into the electricity grid due to excess generation that wasn’t needed to power your home or business. This meter does not measure your generation, only the net amount exported to the utility grid. If you want to know how much your DER generates, you must add a separate meter; your DER may already come with its non-revenue grade metering.

Hydro Ottawa will provide you with the estimated cost (Service Layout quote) to replace your current meter with a bidirectional meter and for any other work required to safely connect your DER to the electricity grid. If you wish to proceed with the connection, you will need to pay Hydro Ottawa for the services outlined in the customer layout quote and then proceed with the next steps as outlined in your quote.

Your service entrance may also need to be upgraded if it doesn’t pass the electrical safety and servicing standards specified in our Conditions of Service under section 2.1.4.