Can I shower during a power cut?

Sudden power interruptions can cause serious damage to any homeowner. They often rob us of many of our daily comforts and can even severely impact simple daily tasks.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Your power is what's on, so there's no need to worry about your shower. This is the question about how water is obtained. Most homes rely either on a water heater, an electrical well pump, or a tankless heater or boiler. This is the problem. All of them require electricity for their operation.

There are some exceptions, which will be discussed later, but all systems require electricity in order to work. There are still options to make your hot shower dreams come true. Let's examine the different scenarios.

• Tankless water heaters. Tankless systems are not the best option. Tankless systems are not reservoir-based, and rely only on electricity (both gas tankless and electric-based systems need electricity) for hot water. You might enjoy your cold shower.
• Electric hot water heaters. Traditional electric systems that include a tank will have hot water. It's not clear how much water you will need, so you won't be able to know. If you want to take a hot bath, go ahead. However, it is important that you do this before the tank cools.
• Gas hot-water heaters. This one is more difficult to give a definitive answer. Old tank gas systems were powered by an independant pilot, ignition and control system. Modern systems are equipped with integrated electrical components. This means that if your system is older, it may not work. While you can safely test it, it's best to prepare for cold water.

BUT, IS IT SAFE?

You are worried because of a storm that knocked out your electricity. This is a very small concern. The whole thing about lightning striking in a shower is quite a story. The real danger is the lack of lighting, so we recommend a lantern with a battery for safety. Avoid using candles and gas lamps as they can cause fires.

A GENERATOR IS AVAILABLE FOR SHOWERS AT ALL TIMES!

To ensure that you can shower regardless of the weather, as well to keep your fridge and lights topped off, it's worth looking into a generator. Although a relatively small investment, standby generators will pay off in both convenience and cost. There are many options, so you can pick the one that best suits your needs.