Fort Worth electrical help: outages, heat load and older wiring
Summer AC loads, storm outages and the wiring in older neighborhoods are the most common reasons Fort Worth residents call an electrician. We connect Fort Worth homeowners and residents with independent local electricians.
Homes only. This service is for Fort Worth homeowners and residents who need help with the house they live in.
Call (833) 781-1572The Fort Worth factor: who to call in an outage
In most of Fort Worth, Oncor owns the power lines even if you buy electricity from a different company. Report outages and downed lines to Oncor at the Oncor outage center, not your electricity plan.
Emergency?
Call 911 for smoke, fire, sparks or anyone hurt by a shock. Stay far from downed lines and call 911 and Oncor. A burning smell, a scorched outlet or a buzzing, warm panel needs an electrician right away.
Power out?
- Check whether neighbors are out. If they are, report it to Oncor.
- If it's just your home, check the main breaker.
- If part of the house is out, reset the tripped breaker or GFCI once. If it trips again, call an electrician.
- Run generators outdoors only, away from windows, and connect to house wiring only through an electrician-installed transfer switch (Ready.gov: Power outages).
Heat load and new equipment
Months of AC use put a steady load on your panel and wiring. Lights that dim hard when the AC starts, or breakers that trip on hot afternoons, are worth a look. Adding an EV charger, a pool pump or a bigger AC? Ask an electrician for a load calculation first.
Older wiring by era
| Era | What to know |
|---|---|
| Before about 1950 | May have knob-and-tube wiring, a fuse box or ungrounded two-prong outlets |
| Mid-1960s to early 1970s | Some homes used aluminum branch wiring, which needs special connectors |
| Newer homes | Usually modern panels, but storm surges can still damage electronics and AC controls |
Hiring in Texas
Electricians in Texas are licensed by the state. Check a license with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Electricians. More on safety: U.S. Fire Administration: Appliance and electrical fire safety.
Disclosure: Fort Worth Home Pros is a referral service, not a contractor. We connect callers with independent local providers who participate in our network. We may receive compensation from providers. We don't perform work, endorse or guarantee any provider. Always check licensing and insurance and get a written estimate.