Electrify

Electrification in Ontario

A Cleaner and Healthier Way to Power Your Home & Business

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change, many home & business owners in Ontario are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and switch to cleaner sources of energy. One of the most effective ways to do this is through Electrification.

Electrification refers to the process of converting our systems and operations to use electrical power, thereby replacing fossil fuel-powered systems (or technologies) in your building with electric alternatives.

Benefits:

  • Cleaner sources of energy

  • Better indoor air quality & health

  • Greater comfort & increased safety


One of the biggest benefits of electrification is that it allows you to take advantage of the cleaner sources of energy that are used to produce electricity in Ontario (see A.1). The province's grid is primarily powered by nuclear, hydroelectric, and wind energy, which produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions. By switching to electric appliances, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and do your part to combat climate change.

Another major benefit of electrification is that it can improve the air quality inside your home. Combustion-based systems like gas stoves and furnaces can produce harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which can have negative impacts on your health. By switching to electric appliances, you can eliminate these pollutants and improve the air quality inside your home.

Some of the most popular and practical electric applications in the homes are:

  • LED lighting consumes far less energy than traditional incandescent, fluorescent, and halogen bulbs, and they have a much longer lifespan (less replacements). In addition, LED lights are safer as they produce less heat, and offer a wider range of color temperatures and dimming options, to create specific moods or atmospheres in a room.

  • Induction stovetops use an electromagnetic field to transfer heat directly to the pot or pan, instead of heating the electric element or gas burner. This makes them much more efficient than traditional gas or electric stovetops and can help to lower your energy bill.

  • Heat pumps are gaining popularity in Ontario as an alternative to traditional furnace systems and water heaters. Instead of burning fuel to produce heat, heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from the air or ground into your home.

  • Electrical radiant floor heating is a highly efficient way to heat a space. Rather than heating the air, which can result in heat loss, the system heats objects and people directly. This is achieved by installing electrical heating elements beneath the floor, which radiate heat upward. The result is a more evenly distributed warmth that feels comfortable and leave the higher air quality undisturbed.

  • Electric Vehicles (see A.2) require chargers to support the growth of sustainable transportation, installing a level 2 charger (240V) allows fully recharging overnight and helps to balance the demand on the electrical grid and reduce the strain on the power system during peak usage times.


Panel Upgrades

As your home or building transitions to electric heating, cooking, and transportation, the demand on your panels capacity will grow. To handle this increased demand, it is important to consider upgrading your panel and service to handle the additional loads.

One way to upgrade your panel is to install a new 200 Amp panel technology that meets the current Electrical Safety Code with the use of Arc Fault Circuit Interruptor (AFCI) breakers. These breakers are designed to detect and interrupt electrical faults that can potentially arc and cause fires. Another important aspect of panel upgrades is proper conductor sizing and insulation. This ensures that the electrical current flows smoothly and safely through the panel, circuits, and outlets to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. With a properly upgraded panel and well-installed electrical units, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home or building is functioning properly and is safe and ready to handle the increased demand for electrical loads.


Overall, electrification is a great way for home & business owners in Ontario to reduce their carbon footprint, improve the air quality inside their homes, and lower their energy bills.

Let Energable guide you in making the switch to cleaner and more efficient electric alternatives with ease. Our engineers and electricians will ensure your safe and smooth transition to cleaner energy and air.

A.1 Ontario's Electricity

Generation in Ontario is produced by a variety of Fuel Types

    • Live Grid Watch ↗ per Energy Sources: Nuclear, Hydro, Wind, Gas, Solar & Biofuel

      • The leading electricity generator: Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

Rates are Determined by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB)

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) directs the flow of electricity on the market

A.2 Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity as a more sustainable transportation option, as they emit less greenhouse gases and pollutants compared to gasoline internal combustion engines (ICEs). However, it's important to consider the entire lifecycle of an EV, including the materials and resources required for its production.

One of the key components of an EV is the battery, which requires extra minerals (and rare earths) such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel for its production. These minerals are often extracted through environmentally damaging processes, such as strip mining and hydrochloric acid leaching. Additionally, the mining and refining of these metals often leads to water pollution and displacement of local communities.

Notably, the production of EVs requires large amounts of energy, especially for the mining and refining of these rare earth metals. This results in a significant amount of embodied carbon, which is the carbon emissions associated with the production and transportation of materials.

While EVs can be a more sustainable transportation option, it's important to consider the entire lifecycle of the vehicle. If you're in the market for a new car, its environmentally responsible to consider an EV. However, if your current car is still in good working condition, it may be more environmentally friendly to continue using it.

Reports:

See the Infographics below, sourced from VisualCapitalist.com