A power outage can disrupt your usual routine. You may have to do without basic comforts for a while. An outage might also prevent you from performing household tasks.
But can you take a shower during a power outage? There’s actually more to the answer than meets the eye. Read on to learn more about showering when the power is out.
What’s The Issue?
You might think that the electricity being out won’t affect the plumbing. Your home relies on different electrical appliances to provide you with water, including electrical hot water heaters, boilers, tankless water heaters, or even electrical well pumps.
Depending on the appliances your household relies on, hot water may or may not be available.
- If you have an electric hot water heater, the electrical heating element won’t work. You’ll still be able to take a hot shower with the water stored in the tank of your electric water heater.
- Gas hot water heaters will continue working during an outage. If you have a traditional water heater with an electric pilot light, you won’t be able to turn it back on if the pilot light goes out.
- A tankless water heater won’t work during an outage. The electrical models won’t be able to heat up the water, and on-demand gas water heaters rely on an electrical panel that won’t work.
If you need to use water during an outage, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep track of time and keep showers as short as possible.
- Consider taking a cold shower if you don’t have a tank with hot water.
- Use cold water for cooking and doing the dishes.
- You can use the toilet but limit flushing as much as possible.
Another important consideration is that local water and sewage systems might be down if the power lines aren’t working. These facilities use the equivalent of what 2 million homes consume.
Most water treatment facilities rely on electrical pumps to remove sewage from homes, and sewage lines can back up quickly if these pumps are down.
Is It Safe to Shower During a Power Outage?
You might be familiar with a rumor claiming lightning can strike you in the shower. The good news is that it’s a myth. It’s perfectly safe to shower during an outage or storm.
The main risk is that showering in the dark increases your risk of slipping and falling, which is why you should have a battery-powered light in your bathroom. It’s a safer alternative to candles and gas lamps that represent a fire hazard.
Enjoy Your Shower Anytime — Get A Generator!
Experts believe power outages will continue to become more frequent, especially when temperatures rise in the summer.
Upgrading your home with a backup generator is a viable solution to keep essential systems on during an outage, including your water heater or water pump. Contact us today to learn more about the steps involved in installing a generator!