Xcel or an Electrician

When the lights suddenly go out or an outlet stops working, your first instinct might be to call Xcel Energy.

But not every electrical issue is their responsibility. In many cases, you will need to contact an electrician instead.

This guide will help you figure out who is responsible for what, so you know when to call Xcel and when to bring in a professional electrician to fix the problem.

Understanding the difference can save you time, money, and prevent further complications in your home’s electrical system.

Where Xcel’s Responsibility Ends and Yours Begins

The division of responsibility between Xcel and homeowners centers around a concept called the point of demarcation. That is the point where utility responsibility ends and homeowner responsibility begins.

Xcel Energy is responsible for

• Utility poles and power lines
• Grid transformers and street-level infrastructure
• The service drop or underground cable bringing power to your home
• The electric meter itself

Homeowners are responsible for

• The meter socket or meter box that holds the meter
• The service mast and weatherhead on your home
• Your electrical panel, circuit breakers, and all wiring inside the house
• Every electrical outlet and light fixture
• Any damage that occurs on your property past the meter

If a problem occurs after the meter or involves circuit breakers, outlets, or wiring, that falls under your responsibility. That means it is time to call a licensed electrician.

Common Scenarios and Who to Call

Let us go through some everyday examples to show whether you need to contact Xcel or a professional electrician.

Power Is Out Only in Your Home

This usually points to an issue with your electrical panel, a tripped circuit breaker, or even a more serious internal problem like overloaded circuits or faulty wiring. Contact an electrician right away if the rest of the neighborhood still has power.

Downed Wires After a Storm

If you see wires down on your property or in the street, do not touch them. This is a situation for Xcel. They will send a crew to evaluate the damage and restore service.

However, if your service mast or meter socket is damaged, they will leave and ask you to contact an electrician before they return to restore power.

Explore our Emergency Electrician Services if your home has storm damage or urgent electrical needs.

Meter Looks Burned, Loose, or Damaged

Even though Xcel owns the electric meter, the socket it connects to is your responsibility. If it is damaged, they will not reconnect service until it has been repaired. This is a clear warning sign that you need to call a professional electrician.

Flickering Lights or Electrical Shocks

Frequent flickering lights are often due to overloaded circuits, poor connections, or a failing power supply. If the whole house flickers, it may be a utility issue. If it is just part of your home, it is likely a home wiring problem.

And if you feel tingling or minor electrical shocks when touching appliances, outlets, or switches, turn off the power and call an electrician immediately. This is a major safety issue.

Learn more about Common Electrical Problems at Home and how we solve them.

One Circuit or Room Has No Power

If everything else works but a single room or set of outlets does not, it may be a tripped breaker or a bad outlet. This is an internal wiring problem that Xcel will not address.

You need an electrician to evaluate the circuit breakers, test the affected electrical outlet, and ensure there is no deeper fault.

What Xcel Will Handle

Xcel focuses on the delivery of electricity to your home, not the operation of your internal system. Here is what they cover

• Repairs to external power lines
• Replacing or fixing the electric meter
• Restoring power after storms or grid outages
• Handling transformer issues or grid-level power supply problems

Xcel does not touch your electrical panel, interior wiring, or devices. That is always up to the homeowner to maintain.

What a Professional Electrician Will Handle

Licensed electricians like The Electricians handle everything inside your home and at the point of connection

• Replacing or upgrading electrical panels and circuit breakers
• Repairing damaged meter sockets or service masts
• Troubleshooting electrical issues inside your home
• Resolving flickering lights, overloaded circuits, and shock hazards
• Installing EV chargers, surge protectors, and new electrical outlets

If your panel is outdated or your breakers keep tripping, those are clear signs you need to contact an electrician.

Quick Reference Chart

Issue	Call Xcel	Call Electrician
Neighborhood power outage	Yes	No
One house has no power	No	Yes
Downed lines on street	Yes	No
Damaged meter socket	No	Yes
Breaker keeps tripping	No	Yes
Flickering lights in one room	No	Yes
Whole house flickering	Maybe	Maybe
Tingling from appliances	No	Yes
You want a panel upgrade	No	Yes

What Happens If You Call the Wrong One

Many people call Xcel first only to be told the issue is theirs to solve. If Xcel finds the problem is on your side of the point of demarcation, they will usually leave a note and cut power until you bring in a professional electrician.

To avoid delays, call an electrician first if there is any doubt. We can quickly evaluate the problem, advise whether it is utility-related, and help coordinate with Xcel if needed.

When in Doubt Call The Electricians

If you are not sure whether to call Xcel or an electrician, start with us. We offer fast, expert help throughout Colorado and are familiar with Xcel’s service policies.

We can inspect your electrical system, identify problems, and take care of any work needed to safely restore power.

Call us at 720 633 5937 or visit theelectriciansco.com