Your power is out — when it's the utility and when it's your house

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region.

The lights went out. Everything is dark. You don’t know why. Is the power out for the whole neighborhood or just your house? Is this a utility problem or something in your electrical system? The difference determines what you do next and whether you need to call an electrician or just wait.

A power outage is inconvenient but usually not dangerous. Your house is built to survive temporary power loss. The question is whether this is temporary (an hour or two) or extended (a day or more), and whether it’s affecting just you or the whole area. These answers determine your response.

The First Assessment

Look outside. Are other houses dark? Are street lights on? Do neighbors have power? If the neighborhood is dark, it’s a utility problem. Contact your utility company or check their website to report the outage. Utility problems typically get fixed in hours. You mostly just wait.

If neighbors have power but you don’t, the problem is in your house’s electrical system or service. This requires investigation.

Check Your Breaker Panel

Go to your breaker panel (usually in the basement, garage, or utility area). Look for a breaker that has tripped (flipped to the middle or off position). If you see one, try flipping it back to the on position. If it immediately trips again, you have a problem. Do not keep flipping it. Call an electrician.

If one breaker tripped and you successfully reset it, the outage was likely caused by overload or a temporary surge. You’re back in business. If it trips again when you turn on specific devices, that appliance or circuit has a problem and you should unplug it and call a technician.

If no breaker is obviously tripped, check the main breaker. Some systems have a main shutoff separate from individual breakers. If the main is in the off position, flip it on.

If the main breaker looks like it tripped, this indicates a serious problem. Do not flip it repeatedly. Call an electrician for diagnosis.

If Breakers Are Fine

If no breakers appear tripped and the main is on, you have a different problem. Possible causes include a failed electrical service connection, a downed line, or a utility problem. This is not a DIY issue. Call the utility company to check the line coming to your house. Call an electrician if the utility confirms their lines are fine.

Utility Outages

For neighborhood outages, you wait for the utility to fix it. Most outages last minutes to a few hours. Some last longer (storms, equipment failure). Check your utility company’s website or call their outage line for updates.

During the outage, turn off major appliances to prevent damage from sudden power return. When power comes back suddenly, surges can damage equipment. Turning off the oven, AC, and other major loads prevents damage. Leave some lights on so you know when power returns.

Do not open the refrigerator more than necessary. A full fridge keeps food cold for hours without power. Minimize the time cold air escapes.

If the outage lasts more than a few hours and you have food concerns, keep the refrigerator and freezer closed. If power returns within 12 hours, frozen food is usually fine. Refrigerated food lasts 4 hours without power if you don’t open it.

Extended Outages

If power is out for more than a few hours, you need to think about heating (in cold months), food preservation, and water. If you have a well with an electric pump, no power means no water. Municipal water systems have backup power but confirm before counting on water.

For heating without power, use alternative sources carefully. Never run a car or generator inside a house or garage—carbon monoxide is a death hazard. Fireplaces, wood stoves, and propane heaters need proper ventilation. Space heaters create fire hazards.

For extended outages, you might need to stay elsewhere. Check on neighbors, especially elderly people and those with medical equipment that requires power.

Storms and Downed Lines

If a storm knocks out power and you see downed lines, do not touch them. Call the utility company. Downed power lines are extremely dangerous.

If a tree knocked down the line on your property, it’s still a utility issue until the line is clear. Call the utility. They’ll handle the line safety, though you might need a tree service to remove the tree.

Food and Refrigeration

In warm months, food spoils quickly without power. If your freezer is full and stays closed, it keeps everything cold for 24 hours. Once you open it repeatedly, cold escapes and food thaws and spoils.

Discard any perishable food that has been above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.

If you have advance warning of an outage, freeze water in plastic containers. This gives you drinking water and can keep food cold if placed in the fridge or coolers.

Backup Power

For extended outage concerns, consider battery backup (UPS) for critical items like medical equipment, charging stations, or modems. These are inexpensive ($50-200) and useful.

Generators provide power during extended outages. A portable generator costs $500-1,500 and requires fuel. Whole-house generators are expensive ($3,000-5,000+) but provide comprehensive backup. Generators create noise and exhaust so they’re not ideal for daily use, but they’re lifesaving during extended outages.

After Power Returns

When power comes back, wait a minute before using heavy appliances. Let the system stabilize. Turn on a light first to confirm power is stable.

Check the refrigerator. If it hasn’t been open much and the outage was short (under 12 hours), food should be fine.

When to Call an Electrician

If a breaker won’t reset or keeps tripping, call an electrician. If the main breaker appears tripped, call an electrician. If you have no power in your house and no breaker is obviously tripped, call an electrician. These are not DIY problems.

Electrician emergency calls cost $200-400 for service plus repair costs. It’s worth the money to diagnose dangerous problems safely.

The Bottom Line

Neighborhood outages are utility problems. You wait. If only your house is affected, check the breaker panel. If breakers are fine, call an electrician and the utility company. Never ignore a tripped breaker that won’t reset—it indicates a serious problem. For extended outages, prepare with backup power and food preservation plans. Most outages are brief and inconvenient. Prepare for the possibility of extended outages with alternative power and contingency plans. When in doubt about your electrical system, call a professional.

© The Whole Home Guide