Being able to take a shower is still a luxury to many people, although it seems like a necessity. The truth is that showering is the most efficient way to stay clean and it’s fast! Of course, most people don’t appreciate how good a shower is until they are faced with the prospect of not having one!
If the power is out you may be able to take a shower, it depends on what type of shower you have fitted to your home.
The Electric Shower
These are usually best fitted by a level 2 electrician to ensure they are fitted safely. Water and electricity are not a good combination! The electric shower has a heater element inside it that activates as soon as the shower is turned on. Water passes through the heater element, heating it to the desired temperature and giving you the perfect shower temperature.
However, because this type of shower uses cold water and an electric heater, the moment there is a power outage it will stop working.
Tank Heater
These are very common in older homes. They can be powered by electricity or gas. You will have a large tank that contains your water. This is connected to the mains water to ensure there is a continuous supply of water. Heating elements in the tank warm the water to your desired temperature.
This water is then sent to your shower and hot water taps to ensure you enjoy the experience.
If you have an electric-powered water tank then when the power goes out the water will no longer be heated. However, the water in the tank should still be hot, allowing you to take your usual hot morning shower.
You should note that most water tanks start to refill once a third of the water in the tank has gone. This means that the longer you shower, or the more people that shower, the cooler the water will become.
Interestingly, if you have a gas-powered water heater you will be no better off! The gas instant water heaters and the gas water tanks still need electricity to get the flame ignited. Without electricity telling the heater what to do the gas won’t ignite and the water won’t be warmed up.
Of course, the tank will still have hot water in it. But, any instantaneous water heater, regardless of how it is powered, is unlikely to work during a power outage.
This won’t stop you from taking a cold shower or perhaps trying to utilize a solar shower. But, unless you are used to this type of shower you are unlikely to find it a pleasant experience.
Final Point Worth Noting
The assumption above is that the city water pumps still have power. If they don’t the water won’t be pumped into your home. That means there won’t be anything to push the water out of your faucets and showerhead, potentially eliminating the possibility of having a shower during a power outage.
