2025 Ontario Electrical Safety Code Update: Why Panel Upgrades May No Longer Be Necessary At 1Click Heating & Cooling, we’re always looking for ways to make home electrification easier and more affordable for homeowners across Ontario and Canada. And now, thanks to a recent change in Ontario’s Electrical Safety Code, there is a new solution for one of the biggest roadblocks homeowners face when considering the switch to electric systems. Let’s break it down. What’s the challenge? As more Canadians make the switch from fossil fuels to electricity for things like heating and hot water, homes are taking on more electrical demand. The problem is that many older homes lack sufficient ampere capacity or voltage ratings to support modern electrical equipment like heat pumps. It’s long been an accepted fact that a home with 100-Amp service cannot support the installation of a heat pump. Upgrading the electrical panel used to be the go-to solution. But that can be expensive and, in some cases, doesn’t even solve the problem—especially if the electrical service coming into the home is also limited. What’s the solution? Enter load managers. Load managers are a category of Energy Management Systems (EMS)—called Electric Vehicle Energy Management Systems (EVEMS) when dealing with vehicle charging. These smart devices monitor how much electricity your home is using and ensure it doesn't go over the capacity of your electrical panel. They temporarily turn off non-essential equipment like EV chargers, battery chargers, or electric dryers to stay within code-compliant limits. It’s kind of like a traffic controller for your home’s electrical system. It helps you get more out of your existing circuit, breaker, and electrical panel—without the need for a costly upgrade or risk of code violation. How do load managers work? A load manager acts as a bridge between your electrical panel and one or more "non-essential" or discretionary loads—appliances that can be temporarily paused without major inconvenience. Common examples include electric clothes dryers, electric stoves, and EV chargers. Choosing which appliances to manage is typically a decision between the homeowner and the electrician, based on usage patterns and code compliance. Once installed, the load manager continuously monitors your home's electrical use. When demand approaches the panel’s limit, it automatically disconnects selected appliances. When demand drops again, power is restored—no manual steps needed. The 2025 Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) now states that discretionary loads controlled by a certified EMS don’t count toward total service capacity. This opens the door to heat pump adoption and electrification upgrades in homes without needing major electrical upgrades. A real-world example: Winthrop Court 1Click was contracted to install heat pumps in 64 Ottawa housing units. Load calculations showed the homes lacked capacity. Even panel upgrades wouldn’t help due to limited incoming power. So, we used load managers. We got ESA approval, and it worked—making the project possible. What’s changed in the code? The 2025 edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code now officially allows “other types of energy management systems” beyond EVEMS. Before, the Code only recognized EMS for EV chargers. Now it allows EMS to manage any type of load—including heat pumps, electric furnaces, and other equipment—within approved parameters. This makes it easier and faster for homeowners to get approval for upgrades using load managers. Why this matters for you Save money: Avoid costly panel upgrades. Load managers cost significantly less. Make electrification possible: Especially in areas with limited utility service. Keep things simple: Faster installations and less disruption. Stay safe: Prevent overloads by managing electrical load automatically. Support sustainability: Reduce your carbon footprint and future-proof your home. Thinking of going electric? At 1Click, we believe homeowners deserve smart, affordable options for comfort, efficiency, and sustainability. Load managers are one of the tools we use—especially for homes that don’t appear ready on paper. If you're curious whether this solution complies with local regulations, reach out to our team. We’re happy to help you explore your options. Let’s electrify your home the smart way—without costly panel upgrades. Load management systems FAQs What is the Ontario Electrical Safety Code 2025 update about? It now approves the use of load managers like EMS without needing special ESA permission. Read our blog for full details. Are load managers now approved under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code? Yes. As of 2025, they’re approved for controlling various electrical loads. Read our blog to learn what this means. Do I still need to upgrade my panel if I use a load manager? In many cases, no. Load managers help manage demand within existing limits. Read our blog to see how it works. Is a load manager the same as an Energy Management System (EMS)? Yes. It’s a type of EMS that controls discretionary loads to keep systems safe and code-compliant. Read our blog for more. How do load managers help with code compliance in residential buildings? They prevent circuits from exceeding limits by automatically managing demand. Read our blog to learn more.
