Why is half of my house without power, even though none of the breakers are flipped? If you’ve found yourself asking this, you’re not alone. Partial power loss is a surprisingly common issue, particularly in older Texas homes where the electrical systems have seen years, sometimes decades, of wear and tear.
Whether it’s a few dead outlets, one room that suddenly goes dark, or an entire side of your home that loses electricity, partial outages are more than just frustrating. They’re often a sign of something deeper that needs attention, sometimes right away. In this article, we’ll help you understand what causes this issue, how you can safely troubleshoot it on your own, and when it’s time to call in a trusted local electrician like the professionals at Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric.
What Is a Partial Power Outage?
A partial power outage means that only part of your home has lost power, while the rest is functioning as usual. This kind of outage is different from a full blackout caused by storms or citywide utility problems. Instead, a partial outage typically indicates something is wrong either within your home’s electrical system or just outside of it, like at the power meter or utility pole. It’s not just a minor inconvenience; it can be a serious safety hazard depending on the cause.
Why Did I Lose Power to Half My House?
Losing power in just part of your home usually means there’s a disruption in the way electricity is being delivered, either from the utility or inside your home’s electrical system.
Most homes in Texas run on a split-phase 240-volt system, which means your electrical panel receives power through two separate 120-volt lines, often called “legs.” Standard outlets and lights run on one leg at a time, while large appliances like dryers, ovens, and AC units use both legs together to get 240 volts.
If one of those legs gets disconnected because of a utility issue, a damaged meter, or a faulty breaker, you’ll lose power to only part of your home. Appliances that rely on both legs may stop working entirely, and rooms on the affected leg will go dark.
Another possible and more serious cause is a loose or lost neutral connection. The neutral wire balances voltage between the two legs. If it becomes damaged, it can create dangerous power imbalances, sending too much voltage to some outlets and not enough to others. This can silently damage electronics and create a fire hazard. It’s more common in older panels or wiring systems that have deteriorated over time.
That’s why partial power loss shouldn’t be ignored. It’s often a red flag that something inside or just outside your electrical system needs urgent attention.
Are Partial Power Outages Dangerous
The short answer is yes. Electricity absolutely can be dangerous. If power has gone out in part of your home and none of your breakers or GFCI outlets appear to have tripped, something could be seriously wrong inside the wiring or panel. For instance, improper connections after a past repair, wire damage from age or pests, or a deteriorating breaker panel could all cause arcing or overheating, which are fire hazards.
Danger signs include:
- Scorch marks near outlets
- Warm or buzzing outlets
- Burning smells
- Flickering lights
Even if everything looks normal on the outside, electrical issues can be hiding behind the walls. It’s never a good idea to ignore flickering lights, repeated tripping breakers, or outlets that work only some of the time. These are warning signs that something needs attention.
Troubleshooting Power Loss: Check Breakers and GFCI Outlets
If you’ve lost power in one room or a few outlets, start with the basics. These issues are often caused by something small and easy to fix.
Check your circuit breakers
Go to your breaker panel. It’s usually in the garage, utility room, or basement.
Look for a breaker that’s not fully in the ON or OFF position. It may be stuck in the middle, which means it has tripped.
To reset it:
- Push it fully to the OFF position until it clicks.
- Then push it back to ON.
Check your GFCI outlets
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. These outlets are designed to protect against electric shocks in areas where there’s water.
They’re common in:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Garages
- Basements
- Outdoor spaces
A single GFCI outlet can cut power to several other outlets. You may find one in a different room than the outlets that have lost power.
To reset it:
- Look for a small “Reset” button on the front.
- Press the button firmly.
Still no power?
If the breaker won’t reset, or the GFCI button won’t stay in, there may be a more serious issue.
Stop troubleshooting and call Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric. Our licensed electricians will find and fix the problem, whether it’s a damaged wire, a faulty outlet, or a worn breaker.
Can a Partial Power Outage Fix Itself?
No, a partial power outage never truly “fixes itself.” Any momentary return of power is only a loose or damaged connection making brief contact again. The underlying fault keeps getting worse until it’s repaired.
Common Causes and When It’s Time to Call an Electrician
Sometimes, partial power outages are caused by things beyond your control, such as weather-related damage, an overloaded power grid, or a failing transformer nearby.
Inside the home, they’re more commonly caused by overloaded circuits, deteriorating breaker panels, poor connections, or damaged wiring. Rodents chewing through wires, for example, is a more frequent problem than many people realize, especially in Texas homes with crawlspaces or attics that serve as rodent pathways.
If you’ve checked all your breakers and GFCI outlets and still don’t have power in part of the house, then it’s likely time to call a licensed electrician. Issues like loose wiring, defective breakers, and panel damage require professional inspection and repair. It’s especially urgent to call for help if you smell anything burning, hear buzzing or popping sounds, or notice warm outlets. These are signs that something may be arcing or overheating behind your walls, which could pose a serious fire hazard.
At Bacon, we always recommend erring on the side of caution. If you’ve done the basic troubleshooting and power still isn’t back, it’s time to bring in one of our certified electricians. We’ll do a full diagnostic on your electrical system to determine what’s wrong, and we arrive in well-stocked service trucks so we can make most repairs on the spot.
When to Call Bacon for Electrical Help
Let’s recap:
- If half your house has no power, it could be due to a utility issue, breaker failure, or wiring damage.
- Always check the easy stuff first: breakers and GFCIs.
- If nothing resets or you notice burning smells or sounds, it’s time to call a licensed electrician.
- Electrical work is not just about convenience. It’s about keeping your home and family safe.
If you’ve lost power to part of your house, take a breath. This is fixable. Start by checking the obvious: circuit breakers and GFCI outlets. Call your utility company to check their side of the service, and then call us if the issue appears to be inside your home.
Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric is proud to serve Texas homeowners with professional, trustworthy service that puts your safety first. We’ve built our reputation on honesty, quality work, and dependable results. Whether you’re dealing with a partial outage, flickering lights, or something more urgent, our licensed electricians are just a phone call away.
Don’t leave your safety to chance. Call Bacon today and let us bring the power and peace of mind back into your home.
