Half the house without power often means one of the two lines feeding your home has been lost, frequently on the utility side. Check the panel for a tripped main or other breakers. If nothing is tripped, call your utility first. If they find no problem on their side, call an electrician.
Why half the house goes out
Most homes are fed by two hot lines from the utility. Each line powers roughly half of your circuits, and large appliances like the AC, range and dryer use both. When one line is lost, half the lights and outlets go dark, and the big appliances may hum, run weakly or not run at all.
The cause can be on the utility side, such as a failed connection at the transformer or on the service line. It can also be on your side, such as a loose connection at the meter base or the main breaker, or a failing main breaker.
Safe checks
Open the outer panel door only. Look for any breaker in the middle or OFF position, including the main.
Reset a tripped breaker once: push it fully to OFF, then ON.
Turn off the AC at the thermostat so the compressor is not trying to run on partial power.
Ask a neighbor whether their power is normal.
Unplug computers and TVs to protect them.
Who to call
Nothing is tripped: call your utility first. In Sun City and Sun City West, that is usually APS. Your bill shows your utility.
The utility says the problem is on your side of the meter: call an electrician.
A breaker trips again after one reset: leave it off and call an electrician.
When it is urgent
If some lights are unusually bright while others are dim, or bulbs are burning out, the problem may be a lost neutral connection. Turn off sensitive electronics and call the utility right away. A burning smell, buzzing or heat at the panel or meter also needs a call now.
Talk to a real person
Call (602) 999-2770 and a person answers, any hour. We will help you sort out on the phone whether it is the utility’s job or ours. If it is ours, you will hear the price before anyone drives out. Nights and weekends cost more, and we say so up front.
A burning smell, buzzing or heat at the panel or meter means stop and call. If you see smoke or fire, or a downed power line, call 911.
Common questions
Can a bad breaker cause half the house to lose power?
Yes. A failing main breaker or a loose connection at it can drop one of the two lines.
Why does my AC hum but not run?
With one line lost, the AC may not get full voltage. Turn it off at the thermostat until power is restored.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Usually yes, if there is no smell, heat, smoke or sparking. If there is, leave and call 911.
