Is aluminum wiring safe in my home?

Aluminum wiring isn't inherently dangerous, but it requires specific attention and maintenance to be safe — and many Ottawa homes with aluminum wiring have connections that have degraded over time, creating real fire risks.

Aluminum wiring was commonly installed in Canadian homes built between 1965 and 1975, when copper prices spiked and builders switched to aluminum as a cost-saving measure. The wiring itself doesn't spontaneously fail, but aluminum has physical properties that make it more problematic than copper over time. It expands and contracts more with temperature changes, it oxidizes when exposed to air (creating resistance at connections), and it's softer than copper, meaning connections can loosen. All of this leads to the same problem: overheating at connection points — outlets, switches, and the panel — which is where electrical fires start.

The Real Risk Is at the Connections

The wiring running through your walls is generally fine. The danger zones are anywhere aluminum wire connects to a device — every outlet, every switch, every fixture. If those devices aren't rated for aluminum wiring (marked AL/CU or CO/ALR), the connection degrades over time. Warning signs include warm or discolored outlet covers, flickering lights, breakers tripping without obvious cause, or a faint burning smell near outlets. If you're noticing any of these, treat it as an emergency and call a licensed electrician immediately.

What Ontario Homeowners Need to Know

Insurance companies in Ottawa are increasingly refusing to cover homes with aluminum wiring, or charging significantly higher premiums. Before buying or selling a home, this is a critical disclosure item. The ESA-approved solution in Ontario is called pig-tailing — a licensed electrician splices a short copper wire to each aluminum wire end using a special connector (AlumiConn or similar), then connects the copper end to the device. This is done at every connection point in the home. For a typical Ottawa home, expect to pay $150–$300 per outlet/connection, with a whole-home remediation running $3,000–$8,000 depending on the number of circuits and devices.

What You Should Do

Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. Start with a professional inspection — a licensed electrician can assess the condition of your connections, identify any immediate hazards, and give you a remediation plan. This work requires an ESA permit in Ontario, and you'll want documentation of the completed work for your insurance company. Unpermitted aluminum wiring repairs won't satisfy your insurer and could void your coverage entirely.

For a free assessment of your aluminum wiring situation, reach out to Electrical Ottawa — we've remediated dozens of Ottawa homes and can give you an honest picture of what your specific situation requires.