Residential electricity demand can vary widely depending on housing size and type, different installed end-use devices, usage patterns and seasonal factors. To support effective system planning and help ensure reliable service, we may consider general demand characteristics as part of broader infrastructure planning and modelling efforts, including within the capacity allocation model.
While actual demand varies significantly between customers, the following tables reflect typical peak demand values observed across different residential housing types. These do not represent the full capacity of electrical panels or total connected load, but rather provide a planning-level snapshot of expected demand.
Several factors influence typical peak demand, including but not limited to:
- Location and size of the building
- Type of construction
- Type, size and quantity of electrical appliances
- Customer usage patterns and behaviours
Because of this variability, we’ve provided a range of values to better reflect real-world conditions. Before making any significant changes to your electrical load, please consult Toronto Hydro to ensure adequate capacity and avoid potential service disruptions.
| Average (kW) | Maximum (kW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family home | 11.0 | 32.2 |
[1] This data reflects demand for exclusively residential accounts in a dwelling unit that consists of a detached home, one unit of a semi-detached, duplex, triplex or quadraplex building with residential zoning, or a separately metered dwelling in a townhouse complex.
| Number of units | Average (kVA) | Maximum (kVA) |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 200 | 166 | 499 |
| 200–500 | 410 | 962 |
| More than 500 | 903 | 3,024 |