Vent, Valve & Volt
Half the house lost power

Call your utility first

Likely cause: a utility outage

If neighbors are out too, the problem is on the utility's side. Report it and wait for restoration.

Why this happens

When the street or nearby homes are out as well, the fault is outside your house. Jefferson County PUD explains that power reaches your meter on wires from the utility's transformer, and CPSC says to leave service equipment to the power company.

What to do right now

  1. Check your utility's outage map or call their outage line.
  2. Unplug sensitive electronics until power is back.
  3. Stay well away from any downed or sagging wires. Stay at least 35 feet away and assume they are live.
  4. If you smell burning or see smoke, get out and call 911.

What to tell the utility and the electrician

  • When the power went out, and whether lights flickered first.
  • Whether only part of your house was out while neighbors were fully out.
  • Anything that stays dead after the utility restores power.

Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.

Start this troubleshooter over

References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
  1. Jefferson County PUD: Why is half of the power out to my house?
  2. CPSC Publication 518: home wiring (PDF)
  3. PSE: Downed power lines
  4. American Red Cross: If a fire starts

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